In the past few months I have recieved one question more offten than any other so I will take a moment to answer and hope that you get a better understanding of why I do what I do.
The question I get the most is why do I do what I do, and why is the Bethlehem Steel Mill such a big deal to me?
The number one reason why I do what I do, is to preserve the history of a given place. From the smallest building to the largest. There is some history to everything. Even if you have to search for it, it is there. The history of Bethlehem Steel screams at you as soon as you come into the Southside of Bethlehem, PA. The large blast furnaces can be seen from practicly any spot in the entire town. And the history of the place is just as long as the river that it sits next to. But Bethlehem as a steel mill, is only that, a steel mill and nothing more. It was the people that worked there, died there, and lived there that made the history of the place. If it wasn't for the people and the sacrafices they made than Bethlehem would never have been as big as it was.
The sad truth in todays age is that there is no room for places like that anymore. And it will in its time disapear with the memories, and be lost to the ever changing cycle of life. But if we act now and preserve what we can, this peice of history doesn't need to die. And the memories of the people don't have to die. Bethlehem Steel will be gone someday, but lets not let the memories and the sacrafices of the men that worked there and died there be in vein, because within us all there is a bit of Bethlehem, and with that we as human beings have the power to keep the stories alive.
Additionaly you will see many photos on this page that were taken from various spots around Bethlehem Steel. It is very important that you don't enter the site. Bethlehem Steel is a very dangerous place. Most of the walkways, ladders, and over all supporting structures are very unstable, rusted, and in poor shape. I cannot stress enough the importance of not entering the site. The Steelworkers Archives does offer guided tours on special dates and prices are around 6 dollars for about a 25 minute tour. You can visit www.steelworkersarchives.com/news.htm for additional information.
If anyone has stories, photos, and or information about people who worked there or anyone listed on the memorials page and would like to see it added to this site, please feel free to e-mail me and I will be sure to add it in. Additionally if anyone as any information about the Bethlehem Coke Plant which is long gone, please send it along, it would be a great addition to the site.
Thank You and Take Care, John Rumaker Jr. Sites Of NJ