U.S. Steel Gary Works Photograph Collection, 1906-1971

Lesson 1: US Steel Gary Works, A Photographic Study

Middle school : Lesson 1 | Lesson 2 | Lesson 3 | Lesson 4

Lesson plan developed by Laurie Welken.

"The City of the Century" was the nickname given to Gary, IN during the construction and growth of a town created by the US Steel Corporation. The creation of this town was documented by US Steel Photographers from 1905-1971. Through these photographs the creation of the US Steel Gary Works and Gary, IN come to life. Studying these photographs and the history behind them gives a solid picture of a city and company created to enrich each other.

Standards alignment

Guiding questions

Learning objectives

After completing this lesson, students will be able to:

Preparation

Print out the following:

Indiana Steel Co., Gary, Indiana, "The Bridge" Across Which No Guilty Man May Pass
CRA-42-100-083
Indiana Steel Co., Gary, Indiana, "The Bridge" Across Which No Guilty Man May Pass

House, 348 Tyler Street, Style V2, G.L. Co. #73
CRA-42-106-008
House, 348 Tyler Street, Style V2, G.L. Co. #73

Panorama of Slip and Harbor, Plates #1-3
CRA-42-103-058
Panorama of Slip and Harbor, Plates #1-3

Panorama View of Gary Plant, 4 plates
CRA-42-111-126
Panorama View of Gary Plant, 4 plates

School House on Truck
CRA-42-112-056
School House on Truck

Indians Visiting Plant
CRA-42-112-075
Indians Visiting Plant

O.H. #4 Hot Pouring Metal Experiment
CRA-42-112-110
O.H. #4 Hot Pouring Metal Experiment

Going into the Mills to Work, Gary, Ind.
CRA-42-113-047
Going into the Mills to Work, Gary, Ind.

Gary Works Hospital
CRA-42-114-051
Gary Works Hospital

Male Chorus Concert and Show at Memorial Auditorium
CRA-42-115-018
Male Chorus Concert and Show at Memorial Auditorium

North End Blowing Engine House
CRA-42-116-030
North End Blowing Engine House

Loading Rails for Shipment
CRA-42-116-059
Loading Rails for Shipment

Photographs, Ore Docks/Blast Furnaces USS Gary Works
CRA-42-118-003
Photographs, Ore Docks/Blast Furnaces USS Gary Works

Photographs, Teeming, USS Gary Works
CRA-42-118-023
Photographs, Teeming, USS Gary Works

Lesson plan

Extending the lesson

Have students study the photographs in groups and create a newspaper article about each photo. Refer students to these American Memory web sites to gain information on how to research and write an article using a photograph.