"Shack Life in Gary"
This file appears in: Construction of the Town
Living conditions early on were pretty rugged, even on the north side, as residents and workers had to make do with makeshift housing while the more well-built and permanent structures were being constructed. Shacks lacked indoor plumbing, electricity, heating, or insulation. The buildings were easily damaged by high winds and their roofs frequently leaked during heavy rains, or collapsed during heavy snows. These wooden buildings were also highly flammable.
This file appears in: Construction of the Town
Construction of the Town
US Steel needed laborers to build its steel mill and the city of Gary. A subsidiary of the steel mills, the Gary Land Company was tasked with constructing the town as well as housing for its workers. The Gary Land Company hired engineers such as…