Rust Belt 2005

I have always admired the work of photographer and painter Charles Sheeler. His work for companies such as Ford and Armco steel idealized the industrial might of the country in the early part of the 20th century. This pride in industrial aceivement was everywhere. Including state buildings. Several of these shots were taken in Youngtown Ohio a city that once had several steel mills. It doesn't have any now and in 2005 had the worst "economic growth rate" of any city in the country, (a negative number)
As everyone knows there is no industry left in this country, since it is cheaper to import everything from China, including steel. That makes these old places relics of the past that fascinate me. It is kind of like entering the bygone, once powerful Roman empire. Who knows what stories can be told about what happened here? It's only a matter of time until these fascinating, photogenic,bombed out looking places disappear.