Bethlehem, a couple of hours north of Philadelphia, is a historic town. It was named on Christmas Eve in 1741, and Christmas has been celebrated there in a big way ever since. Nicknamed "Christmas City USA," it was the first American city to display a big, decorated municipal Christmas tree. The downtown historic district still resembles America in the 18th century. But that is the north end of town. The south side has a much more American story.
The Bethlehem Steel plant covers almost five miles, with blast furnaces soaring hundreds of feet into the air. This is where steel was manufactured for a hundred years, steel that was built into railroads, bridges, and skyscrapers across the country, not to mention ships and tanks through two world wars. The work was hot and dangerous and employed thousands of men and women up until 1995 when steel production ceased. The plant fell into ruins, a desolate monument to a way of life for Bethlehem residents. But instead of dismantling the plant, it has been turned into a a museum and art space. Read about the rise and fall of Bethlehem Steel and how it affected the town at Messy Nessy Chic.
(Image credit: The Mebane Greeting Card Co., Wilkes-Barre, PA.)