South of Chicago: Suburbs, Steel Mills, Shoreline with Geoffrey Baer

In the region South of Chicago, everything seems bigger than life - the heroes and villains, the bridges, boats and buildings, and even people's dreams. In this Chicagoland tour program, host and writer Geoffrey Baer takes you on a tour along the waterways, highways and railways of Chicago's South Suburbs and Northwest Indiana.

[@garysprandel1817]

Started watching this and maybe 20 minutes in I'm feeling a deep sadness as I watch. My wife and I waited with baited breath for these Chicago area specials particularly in our early days of marriage before we could swing cable and channels 11 and 20 were practically welded to the TV. The deep,creeping sadness? Just realized this is my first time watching these since her sudden death in 2013.

[@SweetBerryWine3000]

My deepest condolences to you. I hope your memories of her give you comfort and strength. ❤

[@SH-th4wy]

My belated condolences. This video lead me on a bit of a difficult trip down memory lane as well. I have lived in the area since the mid 1970s and all the family and friends I had are now gone. I used to stop by to visit with my mom and we would watch these on WTTW. We moved from Wilmette to Flossmoor back then. Since, I have also lived in Homewood, Matteson and Chicago Heights. It feels like both yesterday and a million years ago at this point.

[@shawn5773-q4z]

Do not say of anything “I have lost it,” but rather, “I have given it back.” Has your wife died? You have given her back. Has your child died? You have given him back. "Enchridion" by Epictitus

[@Sammydx1]

The more I watch Chicago videos. The more I miss it with my whole heart.... Florida just can't compete

[@DallasG83]

That might be the craziest thing I've ever heard.

[@Madinfidelprepper]

Bwaaaaa....saying that a year later?

[@petejohnson8397]

I get it. Home is where the heart is. 1.. what do you miss? 2... If you went back for 2 years, would you want to stay?

[@mattdereuiter2442]

I was raised in south Chicago and found this documentary very interesting. My ancestors settled in South Holland from Holland, they farmed and worked hard.

[@georgecostanza9213]

I grew up in south holland. Went to Holy Ghost school and thornwood for a little bit.

[@dbeaus]

I grew up in Roseland on 99th st. In the mid fifties, one of our families let it be known they were moving to South Holland. To us kids it sounded like they were moving into the wilderness. There wasn't much out there.

[@seanvales391]

Yes sirrr Thornwood H.S.

[@daniellinehan63]

Got transfered to The East Side in '03 and spent 7 yrs.taking pics of it's closed mills, bridges, and shops.Interesting neighborhood .

[@clownchaostime3024]

I was raised in Thornton

[@markzelinski4434]

Thanks again for putting these on KZbin

[@Nick_CF]

One of the coolest things as a kid was driving over the Thornton Quarry

[@Femur15]

Yes, I as well. The Flintstones place I called it.

[@AnnieE2013]

Born and raised in Hammond and I love Chicagoland so much! This video gave me a deeper appreciation of this beautiful area I call home - thank you!

[@Crappy.Consumer.Reports]

Born in Blue Island where my mother was an ER nurse. Grew up in Homewood, Lansing and Munster/Hammond. I miss this place.

[@stevenroby4794]

I love these programs. I watch them over and over again..

[@rudybishop9089]

Once is enough for most.

[@williamkazak469]

I grew up in Lansing. We moved there from Cicero when I was about five years old. We played baseball all of the time. The schools were nice. People were friendly with their neighbors. We got part time jobs at Republic Steel, Youngstown, U.S. Steel. Thank you for this video. This video is truely amazing considering everything that it covers. I am very happy to share this video. I live in Thornton now, not far from the quarry. The dust from the trucks going in and out gets onto our parked cars. I went to Marian Catholic High Scool in Chicago Heights. We took a school bus there grom Lansing. It passed through Homewood.

[@williamkazak469]

Also want to mention Governor's State in University Park. I went to college there. The sculpture park is amazing. And it is a nice place to walk around, take pictures and to picnic on the grounds. The cafeteria in the school is a nice place to purchase a meal, snacks and to have coffee. The art gallery has exhibits that are always worth seeing.

[@davesdrum]

My Father worked at Youngstown. His name was Charles Currier. Does that maybe ring a bell?

[@williamkazak469]

@@davesdrum I never knew him.

[@christinadukesofficial]

Wow! I just moved to Thornton. Right behind Kochs! Love it here!!!

[@berniemarkley]

I am from Watseka, IL. Gurdon Hubbard is revered there, as is his wife, who is referred there as Princess Watch-e-kee. Strangely enough, as much revered as he is, there is not a town named after him in Iroquois County, although there are many historical markers commemorating him. Hubbard is also memorialized at Mackinac Island, MI in a beautiful stained glass window in the island's church. Amazing!

[@stephenmoerlein8470]

Thanks for posting this interesting history of an overlooked part of Chicagoland.

[@slowburnraloh1807]

I hate that south east is overlooked, we are south east not SOUTH

[@johnrutkowski4166]

Anyone looking for certain scenes, here's the content: 0:00 Introduction 2:11 Gary 18:42 Merrillville/Hobart 19:48 East Chicago 23:06 Whiting 24:30 Hammond 30:38 Calumet River port 32:46 South Chicago 36:04 Calumet River 40:55 Hegewisch 42:20 Lake Calumet 44:38 Calumet River branch meeting 46:03 Calumet City 48:57 Blue Island 53:52 Robbins 57:12 Dixie Highway 1:00:04 Harvey 1:05:45 Markham 1:06:56 South Holland 1:10:41 Thornton 1:13:30 Glenwood 1:16:33 Homewood 1:22:07 Flossmoor 1:23:50 Olympia Fields 1:25:36 Chicago Heights 1:30:45 Lansing/Lynwood 1:32:53 South Chicago Heights 1:34:07 Steger 1:35:04 Crete 1:34:04 University Park 1:37:06 Park Forest 1:43:05 Full Circle and closing

[@jwenzel_marquis1692]

thank you

[@angelagoodwin9945]

💋❤️😘

[@jeffkiper8199]

Thanks! Just wanted to see if Whiting would be shown and now I can go right to the scene.

[@dwightfloyd607]

John, this great…how did you do that?

[@johnrutkowski4166]

@@dwightfloyd607 I’ve been watching these tours since I was in grade school. Sadly, they’ve not uploaded the Northwest and Western Suburb tours on this channel.

[@gabrielwalker1318]

My mom has lived in harvey illinois for over 30 years and my in-laws are in robbins illinois about 10years now,and I never knew these things about the town.maybe🤔 I will take my mom's house over when she's ready to go.alot of history their.thanks, for the history lesson. love, respect, and peace, to all living things.

[@carttart]

23:06 Greetings from Whiting Indiana. The last affordable small town on Lake Michigan. I bought a house here 4 years ago, best move I ever made. I fled the increasingly ridiculous Cook County property taxes. He didn't mention the beautiful beach park, Whihala Beach park, with it's music pavillion and kids water park. Home of the annual Pierogi Fest and Mascot Hall of Fame.

[@lisacano5234]

I grew up in Steger and Chicago Hts. As I grew into an adult, I lived in Homewood /Flossmore then Crete, Beecher, and Momence. I now live in Bradley and would love to learn the History between Crete and Kankakee. Thank you for sharing this video. It was nice to see a little part of my past.

[@homoerectus744]

All those cities are so familiar to me , haven't been to Kankakee since '79.

[@joehalliday6081]

It is spelled Flossmoor, not Flossmore. YOu must not have lived there long.

[@emmemagnolia]

@@joehalliday6081 nobody cares

[@billwilson3609]

I grew up in Hammond ('54 thru '77) where our schools taught us some history about the Region. The natives had their main farming villages along the Kankakee River then Summer camps for hunting and fishing further north to leave the fish and game alone down by river. They would go back to the river once the weather became colder then hunted and fished once their stores of cured meats ran out. That region on the Illinois side became a huge hunting and fishing preserve for Chicagoans while the Indiana side was drained for farming. Crete and Kankakee were small farming communities until the urban sprawl reached them.

[@dbeaus]

@@emmemagnolia Thank you for saying what we are thinking. Does he really think that's important? Native southsider, grew up and went to Chicago Vocational, Butkus's school. In fact he was from my neighborhood. Very familiar with these areas and watched them grow from farmland. In the fifties, we took Sunday rides in the family car. There was almost nothing south of maybe 147th st. Been gone years and still miss it.

[@ramonalfaro3252]

I was born in Saint James Hospital in 1969, but moved to California before I turned. 2 yr old It is so cool to be able to learn about where I was born.

[@bufordmaddogtannen5164]

St James was torn down last year. Chicago Heights is a drug infested gang ridden dump.

[@jeffsimon2347]

wow - I never knew! Such a rich history and the African-American heritage in particular. Thank you for this tour!!!

[@sheilasembly-crum8447]

I agree!

[@babydoll22855]

I grew up in Park Forest. I lived in the courts (the townhouses in the video) at first, and then on Marquette St. one block off of Sauk Trail. This was like going back home again. I miss the Plaza. Went to the movies there every Saturday for the matinees. They used to have a Santa house every Christmas season at the base of the clock tower. Good memories!

[@skatee99]

Lived there for most of my life. Very well done sir. (Scott Z. - Columbia College Chicago Film & Video alumni.)

[@janpeterson6851]

Thank you so much. I grew up in Park Forest. It was a wonderful place to live.

[@Mrdsmith500]

I feel fortunate that I grew up there in the '60s and '70s.

[@mytake3692]

I lived in the Southside of Chicago and also in South Bend Indiana. Had I been introduced to Gary''s history I'd have appreciated it more instead of shunning the region after listening to deprecating quips about it.

[@chrisjeva1091]

I lived in the south side. Kids were born in Blue Island and Harvey. In the 1970s , love this.

[@jimyounger9490]

Born in Chicago raised on the south side , I have Personal memories from every part mentioned. Lived in over half of every town mentioned. Was a great documentary.

[@peteklein630]

This brought back thirty years of memories. Born in 1954, I grew up in Chicago Heights, lived next to Thorn Creek/Indian Hill and used to boat on the Calumet River and its tributaries up to Lake Michigan. My uncle worked in the US Steel plant in Gary, IN and I've visited every area you mentioned. I remember looking up at the toll Road bridge and up the sides of numerous freighters from the Calumet, and many golf clubs from the 'IC' train commute to Chicago. Living in Ft. Lauderdale for 37 years now, the Dixie Highway runs right through here and I vividly remember (forced) car trips to Miami from home (the IC train was much better). Many memories, many thanks to you for the rekindling of them! PS: Marian CHS '72!

[@michaeljdauben]

Fascination video! I'm an old south suburban boy. I was born in Blue Island and grew up in Dolton. As an adult, I lived in many of the cities you highlighted until I finally moved out of state for work. I already knew some of the things you shared while others were news to me. Thanks for this video.

[@marywegrzyn506]

Hi, from MI. Thank for these important and interesting videos that I learn So much from. I love the history of people, places of times gone by. I especially love all the beautiful footage and photographs right from that time as it really was. I wish I could have live back in time, maybe around the Victorian area. Thank you for all of your time, research and so much accurate information and how well you explain it all to us. It makes me feel like I'm there. The black n white photos are incredible to see. I like to watch these twice n always share these on FB so others can get a glimpse of life in the past as it was .

[@jomama5186]

What a really cool city ! I love it's historical background. What a treasure !

[@skeetaman3049]

I was born there

[@peterjamesfoote3964]

I grew up in Grand Crossing and Beverly and family members have been here since before the Chicago Fire. Both my Great Grandfather and my Father, both named Peter Foote were Presidents of the Calumet Area Industrial Commission which had a slightly different name in my father’s time. He retained the files of his grandfather and often commented that the issues hadn’t changed much in the intervening years. This was a very interesting video, and had a great number of things I knew and had never known about these areas. Only a tiny minor quibble, while this video was we’ll focused on the region I was very surprised that you did not mention that the Vincennes trail connected Fort Wayne Indiana with Fort Dearborn at the mouth of the Chicago river. (Source: Chicago Transit Authority South Route Commentator Script.) I believe that these productions by Geoffrey Baer and WTTW will be recognized for many generations as preserving the history of the communities around the Chicago Regional Area.

[@BeatlesFanSonia]

We lived in Gary for one year when I was 9 years old. We moved to Lake Station (east Gary) because my dad wanted us to live in a rural community with fresh air and safe places to play. Later we moved to Portage Indiana. It was an ideal place to live. I couldn’t have asked for a nicer childhood! So many things have changed in the Chicago area including Chicago since they made this video.

[@AveryQ_]

Born and raised on the eastside of Chicago heights its awsome to see the history of were i was raised.. Awesome! Well done

[@mnoliberal7335]

Great video and a stroll down Dixie Highway. My Mom lived in Chicago and I spent much time there with my grandparents. I was born in Harvey and lived in Homewood, Markham and Blue Island before my folks moved the family to Indiana.

[@Nick_CF]

I grew up near Markham in Midlothian

[@kevo3480]

Roseland, West Pullman, Cal Sag, Dog and Suds, Chicken Unlimited, man o man. Those were the days.

[@girldaddividendinvestor]

Incredible. I lived here for almost 25 years, and learned so much extra from this documentary. Much appreciated. Shout out to Robbins!

[@kennethnew3075]

I grew up in Park Forest during the 70's. Pretty good memories all in all. That sign took me by surprise.. Thanks for sharing the content.

[@Mrdsmith500]

I did too. Ottawa and Monee rd area. I went to Blackhawk Elementary school.

[@craigchastain7016]

Did not grow up there, but lived there for many years. That sign is so choice!

[@bufordmaddogtannen5164]

Now it's a sad dump..

[@doinitforthestreets]

Geoffrey Baer's series on Chicago is so good! It's amazing these are on youtube for free

[@leabuck3868]

My grandparents met at the Steger Piano Factory. My grandpa then went on to provide the landscaping for the houses in Park Forest. My parents met at Goldblatt's when it was in the Plaza. My Mom and her siblings went to Bloom. We also knew Barbara Moore. We moved in 1998 to the NW burbs. Oh and supposedly Capone funded my Great Aunt;'s salon

[@humanperson5134]

90% of all youtubers need to listen to this guy's voice. pleasant, smart and he can read and write.

[@fredericmartin7148]

Excellent comment. Agree with you 100%.

[@johnvrabec9747]

I'm a born and raised South Sider, driven over many of these roads and towns. He actually filmed a section less than 100 yards from the house I grew up in. This was filmed in 2004 for alk the people that didn't stay to the end.

[@fredofromchicago777]

I use to love visiting my friends who lived in Hegewisch. Great neighborhood.

[@troy9er]

I grew up in Elmhurst, Il. A burb of Chicago. My Mothers family immigrated to Bensenville in the late 1700’s from Germany. I got a call from the City of Chicago wanting to know where I wanted past family members graves relocated to when O’Hare airport was expanding into Cemetery in Bensenville. I had them relocate them to Elm Lawn where all the other family members are. 😉 loved this Documentary thanks for posting! Subscribing.

[@sastrykganti681]

reminded me a lot of areas I lived and worked in, from 1966 to 78, Roseland, Calumet Park, Blue Island, Park Forest, etc., very soon after I arrived in USA in 1965. Cheers

[@rael5469]

12:30 Reagarding Octave Chanute, there was an Air Force base near Rantoul, IL named after him. It was used for training. Chanute Air Force Base (AFB) was an Air Force training facility located in the east-central Illinois Village of Rantoul.

[@mrmarkymark77]

I spent some time there ( fall of 77)

[@brucehutchinson9527]

Chanute Field

[@DrDiff952]

It had the largest office building in the USA until the pentagon was built.

[@ftanklyles4]

Was station there from 70 to 73

[@rael5469]

@@ftanklyles4 Thank you for your service.

[@Nanbebe7]

Chicago offered a great childhood 1960 I Was born and raised at 97th & Parnell. In the 70s before we moved We shopped at Evergreen Plaza, River Oaks, Lincoln Mall and Orland Square.

[@scaleyardmarine]

Wow full of facts and well done thanks I thoroughly enjoyed that

[@mikekaup5252]

In 1977 my friend and Myself bought Amtrak tail passes and went from Seattle to Denver to Chicago to Washington DC to New York to New Orleans to Los Angeles and back to Seattle. In Chicago we rode the elevated trains to the South Side. Those elevated trains are truly fun to ride. It's a really great way see the city and environs. The subways in NY city don't come close. If you haven't seen America by train you haven't seen it. The the trains go places that you can't see any other way .Many really wild places can only be seen this way. It's dirt cheap if you don't get a sleeper. We took turns sleeping in the seats while our friend held down searing in the bar car. You meet many people from the US and other countries at times. If you are a romantic one can often hook up with a nice person. Do it if at all possible, it's dirt cheap which makes it even more attractive. While the food isn't much to brag about you can always bring snacks Think about good drinks, great company, great scenery, and a card game all night!

[@WAL_DC-6B]

Terrific story on the Chicago's south suburbs and especially "Da (Calumet) Region!" Thanks for sharing!

[@martinarodriguez3568]

Thank you for such an amazing story!

[@Champwsox05]

Good video. I used to work in this region (South burbs and NW Indiana) and I'll never forget it. I loved it even though I never lived in the region, I only worked there. Now I live in DeKalb County, IL and I don't live close enough to ever find a reason to go back there ever again. I will though, someday. Lots of hidden jems out there.

[@fredericmartin7148]

I wish this movie had mentioned Palos Park, 25 miles SW of Chicago where I grew up in the '50s. It was an artists' colony in the 19th century, in the heart of the Forest Preserve District. Hills, deer, foxes, raccoons, riding stables, and a beautiful stream throughout; the water so good, people came from Chicago on weekends to fill bottles from it. A friend lived in a house that used to be a stagecoach station. Another nearby house was built entirely of natural stones taken from the stream bed. Peaceful, quiet, beautiful. No roar of traffic; no airplane noise; no businesses but one very small grocery. All ruined now; swallowed up by the overgrowth of Chicago.

[@BILDEMRICH]

Palos is on the Southwest Suburb doc

[@christinadukesofficial]

I grew up in South Holland. And just moved to Thornton from South Chicago. And we are planning are wedding at Ravisloe! I love it here!!!!!❤❤❤❤

[@BLACKTHUMB01]

Excellent, well rounded and informative program, inclusion of "The Blues Brothers" filming locations was a nice touch.

[@mikequinlan9585]

This is an outstanding documentary!

[@simonarobinson5328]

I stayed in, south Holland, Lynwood and now Harvey, but originally born and raised on the south side of Chicago, until I was 21yrs,

[@Bob-te3le]

Man I love your videos about Chicagoland. Im learning so much history about Chicagoland.

[@nathanas64]

A wonderful historical document!!

[@oscarmason3252]

This is a great documentary, I could watch this all day, thank you, very informative

[@bilgierichard1872]

I would love to see a 2023 version on this documentary

[@user-zx8de8op9l]

I have been watching these shows since they first came out

[@luckyguy600]

I enjoyed that trip down memory lane. Very well done.

[@Therealmoseslupai]

Reminds me of Harlem.. thanks for uploading this. Very insightful.

[@scofab]

Fascinating as always, thank you.

[@TheYardLimit]

At 44:46 or so, they confuse the Little Calumet and Grand Calumet Rivers. Little cal is on the left/west and the Grand Cal is on the right heading east

[@markshietze4783]

😮 awesome ! I've seen Mr Baers other videos , but this was most satisfying and entertaining ... excellent content ! - a History Buff from Kokomo & Lafayette Indiana

[@Panthersigma]

Love Chicago

[@Mrdsmith500]

I lived in Park Forest until 8th grade, 1972. Then moved to Park Forest South. I don't think it was mentioned that University Heights was first Park Forest South, then many years later., and ago, it was renamed.

[@JohnGilbertmechtech]

Geoffrey Thank You for the documentary , I learned a few new things about Gary and Hammond that I didn’t know being due to I was one of the 30% that left NW Indiana during the 1980’s exodus. I was born in Hammond and lived in Gary and Hobart as a youth. I condemned the State of Indiana in a Google Maps post ( local guide ) for the way I felt Lake County got abandoned when employment rates dropped in the 80’s and organized crime “street gangs” took this as a welcome mat to set up shop and the residents weee left kind of helpless because those same street gangs recruited their family members and I don’t know any body that would find pleasure in snitching out a family member.

[@billwilson3609]

A good number of us Region Rats began leaving for Texas, Arizona and California in 1976 and 1977 once industries began closing down and hard drug use kept increasing. I moved to East Texas in 1977 and went back to Hammond in 1981 to work on rental property my parents owned. Was surprised to see so many closed businesses, boarded up homes and no traffic on the roads.

[@jamesdaple9951]

Great Documentary!! Thanks

[@janeburns7673]

So gosh darn fun!

[@joseluisperez4015]

MY GUY JEFFREY WE ARE PROUD CHICAGOAN'S THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS BE WELL CHICAGO LOVE'S YOU COMMENT FROM THE NORTH SIDE 👍

[@DanStratocaster1]

My grandfather worked at Steger piano before he was drafted into WWI. Fortunately, The peace treaty was signed, and the war ended while my father was on a troop ship traveling across the Atlantic. After the war, he became an electrician.

[@georgem7965]

Really enjoyed this. I grew up in South Shore, the neighborhood just north of South Chicago, and worked at both the US Steel South Works and Inland Steel in East Chicago. The early portion of the video was very familiar. However, even though this was posted to You Tube in 2022 it was actually produced in 2004, 18 years previous to its YT posting. It would be nice to have an update of some of the areas. For example, most of the South Works site is still undeveloped vacant land.

[@lep8622]

This was awesome👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🎬

[@dinopulizzi8481]

A wonderful walk through history !

[@donniemayer]

Enjoyed this journey around Chicago, Il. and Gary, In; a lot of interesting history.

[@landocalrisian2014]

I recently discovered your tours and I LOVE them. Thank you for showing us your city and state 😊

[@AM-ix6kx]

I lived in Chicago for all of my childhood never knew half of this

[@andreyarborough]

Same here

[@sharinaross1865]

Do you reside in Chicago as an adult?

[@AnaFridman]

I just found your channel, it's amazing! Thank you very much! When I started watching part about south side I didn't find anything about Pullman 60628. I think it's an important part of history. Would be happy to see it in your videos! We used to live on Pullman and still own 3 properties. My husband is from Ukraine, I am from Russia. We had wonderful neighbors at Pullman. Pullman has every year open-house tour and free museum that offers no-charge tours. People of Pullman are amazing!

[@rosselston3783]

Growing up in the north suburbs, I really enjoy leaning about all of the south side

[@tvviewer4500]

These docs remind me of zoning out and thinking I had no problems in my life.

[@adamtrombino106]

The spot where Geoffrey is leaning against the railing on western ave in BI, is 1 block from my house. Blue Islanders still call the business district, 'up town' because the natural topography means you have to walk/drive up steep hills to get there. Even though I've lived here nearly 50 yrs, this documentary taught me a great many things about the area. The 'Driving the Dixie' or 'Dixie Dash' event is usually held in late June or early July. Take the day and cruise it, stopping at as many attractions that suit your fancy. Classic cars are not a prerequisite ;)

[@prestonbacchus4204]

To get the true South side experience, you need to imagine it smelling like sulphur.^

[@scotnick59]

My Grandparents were raised in Harvey circa 1915; it was a newly developed "Temperance Town"

[@buddymartyn7946]

Thank you

[@tubaljohn1]

Thank you for posting. I live here and learned a lot.

[@salty6pence672]

Grew up in Park Forest, Life was and is so different outside of my Hometown.

[@BILDEMRICH]

So nothing on Ford Heights, Sauk Village, or Lynwood? What about Richton Park or Matteson, country club hills, hazelcrest? So many towns left out!!!

[@candyh9876]

What could he possibly say positive about any of those places they are disgusting hazel crest #3 most dangerous place to live , now that's something to be proud of right , we have crack weed meth gangs rapes pedos murders shootings daily lazy ass cops yeah proud yipeeeee !!

[@v.a.993]

That is why it is important to subscribe to WTTW/ public television in general. It takes a lot of money to produce high quality documentaries like these. If you want more, pay for it.

[@shonnyhines2380]

I grew up in Munster Ind. in the 80's. I went to school with alote of students that parents worked in Chicago. Went to High school with the Rothschilds ( triplets) dad was a banker in Chicago. Thanks for the video.

[@auntieclara1811]

I grew up in Jeffrey Manor. Thanks, this was delightful.

[@paulasmall5113]

I grew up on Southside Altgeld Gardens. Left in 74

[@hilldwler420]

I live in a suburb Birmingham Alabama , in the heart of the southern steel making industry. At its height, Birmingham had no less than 5 mills and foundries. After the civil war the steel here industry boomed. Starting with Sloss furnace ie the Sloss family, Then, Carnegie with US Steel, US. Pipe (2 plants ) , Stochham Valve, ACIPCO,McWayne Steel/cast iron pipe, and so on. Us steel is a shadow of its former selves, and Alabama being one of the few places on earth where all materials needed for iron and steel production are in the same place. Coal, iron ore, and limestone. Even the Bessemer system lent its name to a small suburb of Birmingham of the same name. At one time , here in central alabama , one either worked the ore mines for material or you worked in one of the mills producing steel or cast iron pipe. Less than half of the mills and plants are in existent and most of the coal and ore mines are shut down. Most of the coal goes out of the country to make steel in South America or china as competition. What I’m saying is, you should do a similar story about Birmingham and Bessemer Alabama. Our steel and coal built this country and a whole lot more , would be nice to have something good said about Birmingham instead of the usual racist rhetoric.

[@TitanicTubi]

Really? My great Uncle worked in the coal industry in the 1920s in Bessemer

[@johng5710]

This show was produced by WTTW, a Chicago public television station. I doubt they would produce a show about Birmingham, AL.

[@frederickculpepper1261]

Ok ok

[@boogitybear2283]

Birmingham is a nice skyline surrounding the hills around it.

[@bayersbluebayoubioweapon8477]

Birmingham coal is nothing compared to Michigan steel.

[@firecracker8071]

This is so heartbreaking

[@bufordmaddogtannen5164]

If they did an updated version.. it gets worse.. waaaaaaay worse.. it's sad.. I'm trying to get out as soon as I can. There's nothing left here.

[@aprilh9124]

I grew up in Hammond right outside of Chicago amd lived in Gary for almost 20 years actually right by Aetna in Miller.I remeber how alot of Chicagoans came over to Indiana around the time the public hoising projects were being torn down in the 90s They added a little flavor for us 😊

[@Femur15]

Grew up in Oak Forest. I remember going to the mall in Park Forest as a kid, and going to The Pickle Barrel to eat. Until Lincoln mall opened, Sears was frequented by us.

[@kaycarter6358]

This is an excellent blend of history, geography and civics. It shows be shown 4th Gr-HS

[@LynneMandarino]

Great video the information and towns. I was sad to see no information on Dolton and Riverdale.

[@J155P]

Drove through Gary today. Breathtakingly beautiful. Smells of roses and lilacs. Should be on your list of places to vacation. Stunning.

[@billwilson3609]

It's returning to nature!

[@GoldenMean743]

Or people could just play the Fallout franchise.

[@bufordmaddogtannen5164]

🤣🤣🤣 that's a good one.

[@bustersmith5569]

What the hell road did you take ?? LOL.....

[@cynthiachronister4082]

My parents grew up in Morgan park in the 30s and 40s my great grandfather was a broker for the stockyards Gillette Sinclair company I went to Chicago when I was young but haven't returned I hope Chicago returns to its former beauty someday

[@davidmirandajr]

33:00 im part of history wow this area is my whole life and i had no idea of any of this i look around and see incredible stuff but run down and dilapidated and i just imagine how was it when it was nice and to see this video is incredible

[@jackgreen6188]

Born and raised in Hammond right in the Middle of DA REGION We ran around in all these Areas Great Times

[@mikeskidmore6754]

Driving on the Highway Bridge over the Thorton Quarry is quite a view.. a but unerving actually ..

[@wegapaul3616]

At 44:50 he talks about a mysterious canal that has no story behind it’s creation. For those interested in alternative history narratives…the channels Paul Cook, Jon Levi, and Dodge the hi jack, are superb