That row of brick stacks still stands ... surrounded by a friggin' shopping mall. Thank you for posting this respectful treatment of our heritage. I was born in the "Burgh in 1947 and worked for a while in the mills as an industrial photographer. Over 30 years, I saw the steel industry peak, decline, and eventually collapse ... along with many of the formerly-prosperous mill towns and neighborhoods.
I work in the Warren Ohio coke plant now owned by Cleveland cliffs, uncles been there sense 78 it’s had its day but we’re still producing, thanks for sharing this footage and I sharing a part of American history. My great grand father worked for Blair strip steel in Newcastle so mill life has been long rooted into our bloodline. I love as just in homestead today, I’m glad they at least paid homage and left the stacks stand. Part of what built America.
I worked there from May 1978 until being laid off October 1981. I had over 5000 hours towards an Instrument Repairman apprenticeship. My father worked there as a bricklayer. Thanks for the photos.
My dad worked here from 1939 to 1983, 44 years. Me and 3 of my brothers also got jobs here after graduating high school. Of the four of us, I worked here the longest, 4 years off and on. I started as a laborer in OH5, then laborer at the 100" mill. I bid on a job as a Utility Craneman and moved to the 48" mill and a craneman. I ran every crane in that mill, from the scrapyard, to the bullpen crane, to the charging buggy, roll crane, mill crane, shear crane and finally shipping crane. It was quite an adventure. I worked in Homestead from 1970 to 1974. I say off and on because it seemed I was always laid off. The mills over hired so they would have plenty of workers available when they would get large orders. But that also led to lay offs when the orders were slow.
If I’m correct the 48” mill survives and along with its engine and is currently stored in the blowing engine house at Carrie Furnces, in about a 1000 pieces but it still does exist.
Homestead “prehistoric” equipment was purchased by Essar Steel of India, re-machined and re-engineered in Pittsburgh, and shipped overseas. The labor market and fiduciary responsibility to stockholders drove industry out to greener pastures.
Exactly and that was the problems with most of the larger cities and smaller towns throughout the northern rust belt. They were all waiting for the heavy industry to come back and reopen and things just grew progressively worse as poverty and crime soared and neighborhoods and communities deteriorated and died out. Meanwhile the rest of the USA and the world were moving ahead embracing new ideas and new technologies and whole new concepts.
Not modernizing. After WW2, Europe and Japan rebuilt with all modern equipment. Many steel mills in the US were still using late 1800s tech. I read an interview from a guy who worked in Youngstown mills in the late 60s. He was saying they were making steel the same way they did in the 1920s.
@clineshaunt Agreed, but I can tell you that the Homestead “prehistoric” equipment was purchased by Essar Steel of India, re-machined and re-engineered in Pittsburgh, and shipped overseas. The labor market and fiduciary responsibility to stockholders drove industry out to greener pastures.
Thank you for posting. My parents met in the "blue building" in the late 50s. My dad did the heats orders for all the mills. I remember waiting in the car for him to walk across the ramp to the parking lot. Always thought it would always be there. Such an intrinsic part of my childhood and the community. 😢
That row of brick stacks still stands ... surrounded by a friggin' shopping mall. Thank you for posting this respectful treatment of our heritage. I was born in the "Burgh in 1947 and worked for a while in the mills as an industrial photographer. Over 30 years, I saw the steel industry peak, decline, and eventually collapse ... along with many of the formerly-prosperous mill towns and neighborhoods.
I work in the Warren Ohio coke plant now owned by Cleveland cliffs, uncles been there sense 78 it’s had its day but we’re still producing, thanks for sharing this footage and I sharing a part of American history. My great grand father worked for Blair strip steel in Newcastle so mill life has been long rooted into our bloodline. I love as just in homestead today, I’m glad they at least paid homage and left the stacks stand. Part of what built America.
I worked there from May 1978 until being laid off October 1981. I had over 5000 hours towards an Instrument Repairman apprenticeship. My father worked there as a bricklayer. Thanks for the photos.
My dad and uncle worked there in Homestead Mill. My dad was forced to retire in 1984. He worked at the 100 inch mill
We just bought our home in Homestead a year ago and we love it here...thanks for your wonderful photos😃
My dad worked here from 1939 to 1983, 44 years. Me and 3 of my brothers also got jobs here after graduating high school. Of the four of us, I worked here the longest, 4 years off and on. I started as a laborer in OH5, then laborer at the 100" mill. I bid on a job as a Utility Craneman and moved to the 48" mill and a craneman. I ran every crane in that mill, from the scrapyard, to the bullpen crane, to the charging buggy, roll crane, mill crane, shear crane and finally shipping crane. It was quite an adventure. I worked in Homestead from 1970 to 1974. I say off and on because it seemed I was always laid off. The mills over hired so they would have plenty of workers available when they would get large orders. But that also led to lay offs when the orders were slow.
If I’m correct the 48” mill survives and along with its engine and is currently stored in the blowing engine house at Carrie Furnces, in about a 1000 pieces but it still does exist.
Homestead “prehistoric” equipment was purchased by Essar Steel of India, re-machined and re-engineered in Pittsburgh, and shipped overseas. The labor market and fiduciary responsibility to stockholders drove industry out to greener pastures.
The eye of A Master...I will miss his work
Worked there in 1969 as a bricklayers helper.
Born in the old Homestead hospital.
Grandpap worked at Irwin Works and Fire Chief of Dravosburg.
I was born there too in 1969...seeing these photos is trip🖐
Born in Homestead Hospital as well.
Great video!!!
Many thanks to you for watching it!
Had it's day!! No point looking back
I disagree. I think refusing to accept the information from out collective past is stupid.
fdr built OH 5 in 1942 .still using it till the end
Exactly and that was the problems with most of the larger cities and smaller towns throughout the northern rust belt. They were all waiting for the heavy industry to come back and reopen and things just grew progressively worse as poverty and crime soared and neighborhoods and communities deteriorated and died out. Meanwhile the rest of the USA and the world were moving ahead embracing new ideas and new technologies and whole new concepts.
I think there’s a Homestead Works SW8 somewhere in Duquesne
Demolished in 1989.
I worked there during demo Archie m
What business mistakes did USS make starting in the 1950's and going forward?
Not modernizing. After WW2, Europe and Japan rebuilt with all modern equipment. Many steel mills in the US were still using late 1800s tech. I read an interview from a guy who worked in Youngstown mills in the late 60s. He was saying they were making steel the same way they did in the 1920s.
@clineshaunt Agreed, but I can tell you that the Homestead “prehistoric” equipment was purchased by Essar Steel of India, re-machined and re-engineered in Pittsburgh, and shipped overseas. The labor market and fiduciary responsibility to stockholders drove industry out to greener pastures.
Is this still standing? Or was it demolished?
demolished 1989
Thank you for posting. My parents met in the "blue building" in the late 50s. My dad did the heats orders for all the mills. I remember waiting in the car for him to walk across the ramp to the parking lot. Always thought it would always be there. Such an intrinsic part of my childhood and the community. 😢
This was a waste sad