Or should i say Home & Pylon? Back in 1982 the transportation memorial statues on the Lorain Carnegie bridge, we’re not entirely taken for granted (or granite), but definitely not appreciated or seen as profitable like they are today. The proof is in the pudding here in Duck Island where workers homes are neatly tucked into the landscape around it, in this case, it included memorials to transportation.
To the left was the large Upson Nut & Bolt Plant, a division of Republic Steel, that finally closed a couple of years previous to this shot. Back then the idea of transportation was very important. Not only were there so many car and auto parts factories here, but when they started to die off, so many citizens drove out of there until it became the 53rd largest city in the country. People probably would be surprised today, that there were working blast furnaces at Upson, not just 3 miles up the river, but essentially, in downtown.
When, then mayor, Dennis Kucinich was asked by Tom Snyder about Cleveland, he responded, “Where else can you ski next to steel mill.” – referring to his city’s industry, its bad weather and the fact that heavy industry, before zoning, was completely integrated into the life of the city.
Man, did this place get self-concious. All the great things that had been taken for granted and needed care, have become photo oppotunities, and actually remembered like they never were before, and, thus, all spifed up, although, obviously, RealStill, prefers the more honest unadorned, working too hard to notice times, They are gone.
But the homes are still there. Even though they now sit on land that is the most valuable in the city. The view of downtown, one of the best, has always been there, but is now noticed and marketed. The steel mill, located on Scranton Peninsula below, is being developed into the city’s largest brewery, as well as, a host of other real estate properties reflecting our times.