Jack from Youngstown, Ohio asked me if I had any postcards from his city. I thought I didn't, but I found one after all, and here it is! You can see from the postcard that railroads played an important role in Youngstown. Not surprising, since it was a center for coal and for steel. These industries drew people from all over the world and led to a diverse ethnic distribution, including Welsh, Irish, German, Eastern Europeans, Italians, Greeks, Syrians, Lebanese, Israelis, Latin Americans, and Africans.
The decline of the steel industry in the 1970s meant that Youngstown had to redefine itself and diversify economically. Other cities have had to deal with similar transitions , and it's often very difficult. I hope that Jack will have something to add to this.
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There is something about linen city views that to me is inherently optimistic and almost seems naive, so a little sad.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Aimee, sort of like Sally, Dick, and Jane.
ReplyDeleteChristine, your thumbnail characterization of Youngstown, where I spent most of my growing-up years, is right on the money. Hat's off to you. Like a lot of industrial towns, Youngstown was once enormously prosperous. My Dad was earning close to $1000 a month as an electrician and occasional small contractor when his mortgage was $74 a month and new compact cars about $1800.
ReplyDeleteYoungstown and Youngstowners face enormous challenges. Still, there's an up side. Wages are moderate and housing costs among the lowest in the nation. Plus, there's a small cadre of intellectuals, government officials, and independent thinkers who're trying to keep Youngstown and the surrounding region from becoming an irrelevant backwater. Thanks again, Christine. Jack/Youngstown
wonderful card! oh, how i covet your collection of curteich linen postcards ;-) happy PFF!
ReplyDeleteWhere they made the cannon balls that helped the Union win the war:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Smddcs5n0H0&feature=related
Beautiful card, excellent history.
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