It’s 2002 and about all that’s left of Bethlehem Steel’s Johnstown Plant are some things like this sign. It’s up by the old hot end where the furnaces were. My best friend’s parents were celebrating their fiftieth wedding anniversary about a mile away, so i thought about grabbing the shot before hitting the family celebration.
Unfortunately after visiting J-Town over the years, all i have to show for it, is shots of hanging out with Ray and his family, lots of them. I never thought about shooting the mills which were very active, as were all the bars around town, everyone of which sported a portrait of JFK in the bar. He came there and they never forgot. And that’s where i spent my time in all the many trips to J-Town, in the bars and clubs of the city, and not doing what i normally do – shoot steel mills – becuase friends come first, especially back then.