The Steel Beam is the focal point of our company logo.  In the mid 1990's, half-way through my college years I had the opportunity to visit my dad for the first time since he relocated to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.  As a kid I was always interested in, perhaps a better word would be fascinated by, industry and commerce.  Coincidentally, my dad suggested we take a walk by the Lehigh River. 

Unbeknownst to me, one of the largest and most sigificant industries in American history and real estate construction was located on the south side of the river across from the path we were walking down.

It is impossible to miss.  The massive cluster of blast furnaces sitting silently across the slowly streaming water of the Lehigh is an amazing sight.  Coated in rust, they are a symbol of industry and the source of many of the steel beams that built America.

The blast furnaces (which locals refer to as "the stacks") are visible from variouis mapping programs.  If you cut and paste the following coordinates into Google Maps  40.615392, -75.367206  you can get an up close and personal view of these massive structures which are the remaining iconic symbol of what was once the 2nd largest company in the country, and a company that contributed so much to real estate in the 20th Century: Bethlehem Steel. (Hint, check out the "street view" for an amazing look at "the stacks".)

Having never heard of Bethlehem Steel, which had ceased production the year before, my dad began to share the story of this amazing piece of American industrial history.

We walked west along the path and took a pedestrian staircase up to Stefko Blvd crossed the Lehigh River and stood on the viaduct on the east end of this former bustling manufacturing complex.  What a great thrill it would have been to have stood at that vantage point and watched such a massive industry behemoth oparate at full capacity.  It must have been an amazing operation. 

Just to give context to the size of this 10-mile long facility, truckers used this map in order to locate which of the 103 loading docks was their proper destination.

Whether you are crossing the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, conducting business at Merchandise Mart in Chicago, or standing atop the Rockefeller Center in New York City, you are being supported by steel beams that were produced in this facility.  85% of the New York skyline is Bethlehem Steel.  The US Supreme Court is supported by Bethlehem Steel. If you live or work in a mid or high rise building that was built before 1960, there is a better chance than not, that you are sitting atop Bethlehem Steel.  

There is a very well produced documentary available on Youtube that captures Bethlehem Steel's legacy.  A company that was integral to our nations growth, but who's rise, success, and decline is a bittersweet reminder that economic and cultural change is constant.

You can view this amazing story here: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QTGiHOZZFU