what's the latest on Gary? Haven't been back in years (work, hospital)

[jeweloflight]

I graduated from high school in Gary in Indiana in 1988 and haven't returned since. Is it still the old smelly factory town it was then?

[Lean Mfg]

As someone who's been searching out the Indiana areas, I've heard nothing but horror stories about Gary. High crime rate, etc. Stay away.

[RegionAire]

Q. "Is it still the old smelly factory town it was then?"

A. Yes. However, pioneers are starting to move in. A new minor league ballpark is sort of an attraction (and its safe). The Miller area is smokin' hot though.

[artemis]

Some of those homes in Miller are fabulous. I'm glad to hear of its comeback.

I've been thru the South end of Glen Park, but not much else. I grew up in Brunswick and I'd like to see my childhood home, but it's not a good idea.

I looked at Gary on Google Earth, I couldn't believe how many empty lots there are in that town. My Grandmother's house was set on fire while she was in the hospital, her's is one of those empty lots.

Sad ...

[domergurl]

I remember when we first went into Afghanistan. Denise Winters, a soldier from Gary, was the first woman to be killed in action. If that's not sad enough, her parent's house was robbed during Ms. Winter's funeral.

Gary is a heckhole.

[artemis]

There are two Frank Lloyd Wright homes on the near West Side. One has been taken care of for the most part, the other one has gone to pot. What a shame that a home like that has been ruined by neglect and vandalism.

My Mom graduated from Horace Mann HS, and had friends that still lived in that neighborhood when I was growing up. 2 and 3 story homes, with winding staircases, and chandeliers from the top floor down into the foyer.

My cousin lived in a house in the Morningside neighborhood in Glen Park.
Real nice homes ..

In my mind, thats how I choose to remember Gary. But I am realistic to know that its not the safest place to be. What a waste.

[rrah]

My mom grew up in Gary, and my grandparents lived there until their deaths. It looks like something out of an apocolyptic nightmare now--sad. My grandparents are both buried there. I'd like to visit their graves sometime when I'm in the area, but it's just too scary to consider.

[artemis]

Where are they buried? The cemetery in Glen Park or the one on Ridge Road?

[Southside Shrek]

I remember my first visit to Gary to visit my older brother and his wife who lived there at that time. after my visit, I walked to where I had parked my Ford car and it was gone. that kind of created a bad first impression of Gary.

I called the police to report my car stolen. That's when I found out that the police had it towed because I was not allowed to park in the alley behind my brother's home.

[j33]

The town is still in pretty rough shape. But I've been to a minor league baseball game at the Steelyard, and that is a lovely stadium, and the employees were very friendly, much nicer than the guys that work at the stadiums in Chicago (yeah, I'm talking about you, you lousy hotdog vendor at the Sox game), anyway, it is a shame that the city is in such rough shape (well most of it except for the Miller neighborhood). I heard that in its heyday it was a really nice place.