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Abandoned III-Bethlehem Steel

Posted by Laurie (New Jersey, United States) on 6 June 2007 in Cityscape & Urban and Portfolio.

This is the old Bethlehem Steel works in Bethlehem Pennsylvania. Bethlehem Steel closed the plant back in 1995. The old property has been being slowly redeveloped.

Its my understanding that there are plans for a casino and other entertainment/arts venues and the Smithsonian Institute plans on building a museum there. The only place Smithsonian has built a museum outside of Washington DC, to the best of my knowledge.

I explored the property a couple of weeks ago. It was a very hot and hazy day. This was taken at midday which was not really optimal. I would have loved to have been there early in the morning but because of morning obligations with the kids that was definitely out of the question.

I did get really close to the buildings and I have to say it was really creepy walking around there. Of course I couldn't get too close because they have everything fenced off. Although I did walk beneath what remained of the massive blow pipes that brought forced air into the blast furnaces. You could hear the steel girders and pipes creaking in the wind. It was as if there were ghosts there. It was actually rather sad. It was where much of the steel that helped build the nation was forged.

I went back later nearing sunset hoping to get that late day light but it became quite solid overcast and even more hazy and so it was not to be.

I have quite a few more photos from the site which I may post over the next few days.

Please visit my other photoblog Capturethisphotography.com

This photo of the Bucknell Quad is a 2 page feature photo in the Summer 2008 issue of Bucknell Magazine.

Your comments are very much appreciated. I know the time and effort it takes to visit and leave comments and although I don't get to reply to them nearly as often as I like, please know that I do really appreciate them. You are what keeps me going. I make every effort to reply to questions but I may miss one or two and I apologize for that. If you really need me to get an answer to you quickly, the best way is to use the contact form on Am3.

As of July 2008 I have decided to post the same photos here as on Capturethisphotography.com but check the archives for photos not posted here.
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NIKON D200
1/160 second
F/13.0
ISO 200
51 mm (35mm equiv.)

abandoned
steel
works
bethlehem