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Gary, Indiana - The "Steel City"
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da' RegionGary is located in the NW corner of Indiana, on the sourthern tip of Lake Michigan. While Gary is the largest city in Lake County, Indiana, it is not the county seat. That honor falls to Crown Point. Gary is the 3rd or 4th largest city in the state of Indiana, depending on who is counting, and when. At one time, Gary was the 2d largest city in the state. In its heyday, the population numbered close to 200,000. Sadly, those days are long past. The last census resulted in a population count below 100,000!Gary was once known known as the "City of the Century." However, that century has now passed into the pages of history. Today, Gary is probably best and deservedly known as the "Murder Capital of the U.S."
That being so, the focus here shall be on the Gary, Indiana that was. The Gary that was is where I was born, (Mercy Hospital), raised (Glen Park-Eastside) and educated (St. Joseph School, Riley School and Lew Wallace H.S.). The environs of the Gary that was formed the crucible in which my very being was forged. Monikers Gary has been known by a variety of names. Perhaps the most universally recognized nickname is "The Region." This appellation derives from Gary's location in the Calumet River basin. There are actually two Calumet rivers in
the area, the Grand and the Little. Both waterways played
major roles in the development of the area. They permitted the
drainage and subsequent use of marshland by industry. They
also function as a means of transferring inland the goods
transported on Lake Michigan. Gary is also, rightfully known as the "Steel City." The rationale for this name needs little explanation. Over 100 years ago, U.S. Steel invested millions and millions to construct not only the largest integrated steel making facility in the country, but also the community where its employees would live. In a concerted effort to realize a return on its investiment, U.S. Steel hyped Gary to the world as the "City of the Century," and/or the "Magic City." Other appellations have been used to reference Gary, IN. The most common ones are City in Motion and GI. While tons and tons of steel are still produced annually at the U.S.S.-Gary Works facilities, the process no longer employs thousands of folk to do it. Technology has replaced labor. As a consequence, Gary's magic has wore off and its only motion now is one of a downward spiral. That the velocity of that downward spiral is increasing is evident from the attitude and actions of the city's current political leader. As recently as 16 Jan 2008 Gary Mayor, Rudy Clay, was quoted by the Northwest Indiana Times as telling anyone who will listen that, "America will not be what it needs to be until Gary is what it ought to be." Now I ask you, how is that for accepting responsibility for reversing the city's plight, exercising compelling leadership and simply grabbing the bull by the horns in a sincere, concentrated effort to turn things around? The year 2012 represents a milestone of sorts for the "Steel City." For the first time a female, Karen Freeman-Wilson, will be the chief executive officer of the city. Yes, she is a Democrat. Yes, she is the hand-picked successor to Rudy. That she is both does raise a question of just how significant a milestone her assumption of office shall be. What is known is that her work is cut out for her. Even though she declared on election night that "Gary is on the come up," that remains to be seen. Her challenges are immense. We wish her luck, as Gary deserves a better fate than what it is currently experiencing.
Through word and pictures it is hoped one will find the Gary that was, develop an appreciation for its uniqueness and maybe even learn a new thing or two about da' Region. With such an appreciation, maybe inspiration to turn things around shall be generated? The excursion begins by picking one of the paths awaiting in the Highlights box on the upper left side of this page. The option of avoiding the streets of Gary altogether is also available, and may be exercised at every turn in the road by clicking on the Return to: HOME/DIRECTORY link at the bottom of every page. Return to: HOME/DIRECTORY
Copyright 2008-2013, G. David Yaros. All rights reserved. |
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