905 Comments for Bethlehem Steel Mill

I started my career at Bethlehem Steel. I worked at all 4 locations. My job also took me to Acme Steel. I was there when all those plants were in full operation...when coal was crushed and charged to ovens to make Coke, when melts were tapped and molten steel flowed...thank you for the memories!

its not steam, its a grease pump

Thanks for an absolutely fantastic and awe-inspiring 'visit'. Your work never cesases to amaze me.

Wow, autoguy, that was a great video. Thank you so much for posting the link.

Lynne, I was waiting for someone to say that! :-)

Very peaceful shot....no cars on the street, town lights in background, and light beginning to come over the mountains.

Have been staring at this photo for the longest time. While staring, my mind has been replaying the video posted earlier...seeing the ghosts of men working at controls just like these. Motts, you've outdone yourself with the gallery.

Thank you so much for posting the link to that video. I was absolutely mesmerized watching the engines run. It's so very sad to see those majestic engines in the current contition; yet they still hold their majesty and regalness in their stillness.

I'm wondering about those doors on the upper level leading out to...nothing. "Watch that first step, its a doozie!"

Hard to say without further investigation, but this place was absolutely gigantic, so it would be unlikely... but who knows!

I just came across your site yesterday and was amazed to find Bethlehem Steel on here. My grandfather worked there and actually died there too (way before my time - my dad was only 5 years old at the time - around 1955). His name is on the memorial they have in Bethlehem for the people who died working there. It was kind of sad seeing these pictures and wondering if my grandfather worked in that area or if one of the pictures showed the exact spot where he died.

I remember sneaking in to this place. It was an unforgettable time when we were 14 years old. We started to explore the plant by starting from the bottom of the furnace and all the way to the top of the furnaces. Its a shame they destroyed parts of the steel plant. Towards the evening we would hop on the train back to the east side of Allentown.

Wish I could have went before the casino renovations, in 06 I was sadly 13 years old, didn't start exploring till 09-10', however amazing work and absolutely beautiful shots thank you for keeping this history of this massive insurmountable piece of architecture alive, cheers!!

Hi Lynne! A fellow named Bessemer I believe. It is a revolutionary process and made very strong structural steel possible. The guy made trestle bridges safe and made skyscrapers possible. Dump some limestone and carbon (from coal) into the melted iron ore and "blast" air through it. Blast furnace. A very pure and strong type of iron was the result. The guy is a great unsung hero.

Amazing photo. The light in the windows and the stark utility poles. So much detail. It is one of my all time favorites.