Pittsburgh steel mill pics (New Brighton, Beaver: travel, income, hospital)

[PPG]

Blast from the past! PA RUST BELT

[Drover]

Man, these places look like the industrial equivalent of the elderly dumped in nursing homes and forgotten about.

[CortlandGirl79]

As i looked at those pics i thought to myself, geez that looks like Youngstown! Then i noticed a link at the bottom of the page that actually did have pics of y-town and the mahoning valley. Thanks for the link!

[Katiana]

I saw some scenes of Beaver County. And frankly, only the details are different from place to place. Reminds me of my childhood.

[Geeo]

I believe that author John Hehr said in his book, "And the Wolf Finally Came," that these towns developed as industrial hubs over the course of generations, and the collapse of the steel and metals industry took it all away in a few years. An entire way of life in these small towns is gone.

[Jay_F]

Originally Posted by pittnurse70

I saw some scenes of Beaver County... Reminds me of my childhood.

Reminds me of my childhood in Beaver County too. Amazing to go from one of the highest per capita income areas in the nation, to what it is today.

I can still remember watching hot slag flow, barges full of coal chugging down the river, and the thick unmistakable smell of coke fill the air when it was "rilly" humming. Then slowly the first rumblings of trouble, steel dumping accusations, binding arbitration meetings, "aah hell, the mills will never close", then $5 a swing rallies to bash a Honda, and finally the reality of the situation, mill closures, diaspora....

It really is a shame, and sad at the loss of potential for an area that was a great place to live. Maybe I am jaded from living all over the country, and forgive me if I offend with my generalities, but: when I lived in Utah, it was like living on another planet. Lived in the NJ and the place was a mad house. Lived all over the south, and found southern hospitality not so hospitable. Now in the Midwest, and it's nuttin but NASCAR, clanish people, and grammar that would make a Picksburger blush.

I visit Beaver County/ W. PA, and people still make eye contact, say hello, and somehow still seem like more grounded human beings. Yeah, I know, it's because of my attitude, and you get what you give. Am I biased, maybe a bit. But maybe having traveled/lived in so many places has given me the "no place like home" philosophy extra credence.

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by Jay_F

Reminds me of my childhood in Beaver County too. Amazing to go from one of the highest per capita income areas in the nation, to what it is today.

I can still remember watching hot slag flow, barges full of coal chugging down the river, and the thick unmistakable smell of coke fill the air when it was "rilly" humming. Then slowly the first rumblings of trouble, steel dumping accusations, binding arbitration meetings, "aah hell, the mills will never close", then $5 a swing rallies to bash a Honda, and finally the reality of the situation, mill closures, diaspora....

I remember the $5 a swing rallies at the local Ford lot!

Also reminded me that my mother and father in laws almost forbade my husband from marrying me when I drove up in my brand new Datsun.... I thought my future mother in law was going to burst a blood vessel.

Hey -- while we're walking down memory lane in Beaver County -- don't forget Buzzi's pizza.... and Kretchmars bismarcks. MMMMMmmmmMMMM....

[Katiana]

Beaver County = DeAngelis donuts! Also Brighton Hot Dog Shoppe.

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by pittnurse70

Beaver County = DeAngelis donuts! Also Brighton Hot Dog Shoppe.

Oh -- Brighton Hot Dog Shoppe..... MMMM..

Jerry's Drive In -- fried mushrooms.

Hanks in New Brighton -- soft serve up front and burritos in the back.... with El Scorcho sauce....

Any wonder I'm HUGE???!!

[Katiana]

Part of my high school reunion a couple weeks ago was a get-together at Hanks. Unfortunately, we didn't make it for that event. Sure spent a lot of time there driving around in my dad's old Ford Falcon. (When I didn't have to share it with my brother, who did the same thing!)