Steel

Today marks the 10th anniversary of Bethlehem Steel shutting down the blast furnaces at its main plant. The five furnaces are still there amidst the immense brownfield that used to bustle with activity of tens of thousands of workers. On that day in 1995, fewer than 2000 still worked at the main plant in South Bethlehem.

I think the brownfield itself will be divided up and made into shopping and "lifestyle" centers (whatever those are) and possibly even casinos. There seems to be enough sense to, at least, preserve the blast furnaces.

I can remember driving by the plant in the late 1980's (company was already in decline) and still forgetting not to drive by around shift change time. Traffic had to be stopped by either Steel security or Bethlehem Police (I don't remember which and it may have been a mix of both). Now, it looks likes the traffic will return but not because of the influx and departure of steelworkers but of shoppers and tourists.

The history of that specific plant cannot be understated. When I was young, my grandmother, a lifelong Bethlehem resident, had told me that Bethlehem Steel was the second biggest steel company in America. I never realized how important that was until I was a teenager. It wasn't until I was in my twenties that I realized how important Bethlehem Steel was to America. Bethlehem Steel has been called the "company that built America;" certainly that is quite an honor. Let's hope generations from now when people are gambling or shopping on that former foundry, they'll be versed in the history of that great American company.