charlie. this is danny smith. i grew up in sparrows point. matter of fact i was born in a company owned house. 1304 beechwood road. dr tollin delivered me. your mom was my 2nd grade teacher. i am so happy that you took your time to do this . i think i am the only surviving person to be born in a company owned house. thank you
This is totally AWESOME. I was born and raised in Baltimore, spending most of this time in Dundalk, Md..Have been away for almost 5o years now living in Madison, Ga, so refreshing to watch this and brought back many memories ..Thank you so much and God bless, you did an awesome job with this.
Thank you for posting this. I moved to 806 C Street at the age of 3 months old. We moved to Lutherville after I went to first grade at the Sparrows Pt. Elem. This was a good video of the layout of the town.
Thank you for this. I was born on Sparrows Point. We lived at 1344 Beechwood Road, then moved to 1205 Forrest Road. My grandparents lived at 508 E Street. When I was 8 we moved to Gray Manor, but I remember all the places in the film. My dad and my grandpa worked at the Steel Mill and watching this film brought back so many memories. Again, thank you for sharing this.
I went to school at the annex in the early 60's (7th & 8th grades). Later worked at the 'main office' in 68 til I got drafted (Vietnam). I had just returned from a stroll at lunch time and got back to work when the blast that was mentioned in this piece (where row of houses are missing). It shook the building heaving the floor of the office building up underneath me. It was just after 1pm. Got my polio vaccination at Dr Means office (chain smoker mentioned). Went to church at St Johns on D street. Rode the streetcar as a child across that rickety wooden bridge over to Logan Village to shop. Remember the A&P and telephone switchboard with all the operators inside, door open on hot days for all the see inside. On cold days stood inside the phone booth next to the drug store waiting for the blue bus, full of diesel fumes to take me away. Know so many from those days, now all scattered across the place, displaced like a bomb went off in their lives. Lost track of most. It was sacred ground in a sense. Now, just gone.
My dad, Officer/Sergeant Jim Hannah worked in the Main Office--he was in the Lobby and my Aunt June was key punch or some other office type lady. My dad LOVED introducing her to folks as his OLDER sister. Ironically, he went on to heaven on Good Friday 2017, but his beautiful older sis is still blessedly with us! Your post was great as was seeing this film!
@@aday1637 Thanks for saying hello! Wish you and my dad could have one of those conversations now, but I do know he is in a far better place! Have a lovely (though incredibly hot) day!
I worked at Beth Steel from 1984-1994. Unfortunately, this was after Beth Steel's heyday, and all the residential buildings shown here were already long gone. Just vast open and empty blocks. I worked in a laboratory just to the south of the BOF, and would occasionally have to work at the Coke Ovens in the south part of the plant. I recently took a drive down to the plant and everything is gone now. Even the Main Office has been demolished. Really sad to see.
Wow! Thanks for the narration and storytelling. It is a wonderful piece of documentary work. If I understood correctly, when Beth Steel and Sparrows Point closed, most, if not all, of the town and buildings were torn down. Wow. In recent times I have driven close to here, where the big distribution centers, such as Amazon are.
I am a steel worker in a small town in Illinois and love the film.Its a shame that the town is gone and now the blast furnace is gone to. What a wonderful film
Absolutely astonishing! It's wonderful to see what things were like years ago. It helps me remember better times before the rise of computers. Although without my trusty computer I would have never seen this video. Thanks so much for sharing!
I live in Watersedge, I can remember seeing the glow of the furnace blast. My grandfather was a pipefitter there. All those trees were Sycamore Trees so I was told. All the trees in Watersedge, are in fact, Sycamore. It is my understanding that Murry's Point was developed by Bethelem Steel for vacation homes for the steelworkers.
Thank you Charlie, Mel, and Glenda for this film. Very nostalgic and eye watering at the same time. My paternal grandfather worked in an even longer gone steel mill in Chester, PA, and I grew up a few miles from the steel mill in Claymont, DE (it went through several names but Phoenix Steel was what I grew up with it as, and the plant had its own company housing but IIRC no facilities like the Point had). That plant is gone too. Several times in the seventies my mother and I stayed with my great aunt and great uncle who lived on the river in Riviera Beach. My great uncle pointed out the Point (and the Fort Howard VA hospital) to me on one of those stays and that's when I first heard of Sparrows Point. Again, thanks people.
A wonderful film and narration.My father grew up on Sparrows Point in the bungalows. Later, after his parents had moved to H street, I would stay with them often when I was a small boy.I remember it well and pleased there is film of this.
Glad I stumbled on this. My parents and my grandmother grew up in Sparrows Point. I still remember the smells and sounds and my fascination with life in a company town. My grandmother gave us the duty of rinsing the red dust off the porches and sidewalks each morning. My mother and her Aunts grew up on H Street and my Father grew up on 8th Street. I remember parking my grandfathers Cadillac at the end of H Street and walking those blocks back to their row home with big porch and iron light posts. I still have those lights. I remember the day everyone packed up. I wish there was an earlier video available.
Glenda Jean Lawrenson Outstanding work Charlie! Thank you so much for your photos and narration and all the time you gave to this. A work from your heart for sure. Mel and I thank you! It had to have been meant to be, who would have thought something we did all those years ago would be used to honor and be meaningful to so many people! Mel and I both worked at the Point, he for a summer job before college and me in the Blast Furnace Mechanical Offices while Mel served our country in Vietnam.I was there when the plant blew up behind our grandparents house and separated the outside wall so scary!! Our dads, brothers, sons and uncles in the Meyer and Lawrenson families spent many years in those mills. I used to ride the blue bus line down and back to visit our grandparents and spend the night. They lived at 606 F. Street. Great memories! So love that you put this altogether. Again, many thanks.
Hey Charlie, I saw this on Facebook and commented there. You did a wonderful job. I also liked when Mel and Glenda drove down C street and Meem and Peep lived right across from the Methodist Church. I noticed the house was no longer there at that time. I also noted to my sister that in the video Peep, Charlie Hand was holding you and your brother was standing beside him. Thank you for posting this Cousin Anita Goodman Grace Walker. Gigi
What an honor to hear from you, Gigi. Let's see, you are my great uncle Charlie Hand's granddaughter, yes? That makes me and you second cousins straight across, yes? And your sister would be, Barb? I am glad you enjoyed the video. But you are mistaken. In the photo, I was being held by my maternal grandfather, Arthur Weinmann.
Thank you for this - glad to have found it. I spent summer vacations in Sparrow Point to visit my grandparents. My mother and father grew up in Sparrows Point - Jean Seiders (Parents George and Edna Seiders(Carol Seiders and Bob Seiders)) and Dwinton Morgan (Walter and Bessie Morgan) - My grandmother's sister lived across from her (Charlotte Maupin, child Deanna) and a few doors down (Elsie Stitz(Jack Stitz)). We have the globe lights from the house and photos. I remember the day the neighbors moved. So sad. Brings back so many memories!
Sparrows Point Blvd. looks like Second Avenue in Pittsburgh PA's South Oakland neighborhood, which ran by J&L Steel's blast furnaces. The open hearths and Bessemers were across the Mon River, and the hot metal traveled in bottle cars across the appropriately-named Hot Metal rail bridge.
wow thank you for the memories. my grandparents lived on "e" street. I remember going to church with them at the St. Johns Lutheran church. I also went to 1st grade at the elementary school which was in my grandparents backyard pretty much. I would go over a lot to play hopscotch. I remember going to the drug store for a ice cream soda and rock candy. This would be 1965 for me. My grandfather worked at the mill. I remember my grandmother wiping off the clothes line with a rag to get the red dust off before hanging up her clothes to dry. This is a very nice video of things long ago. Childhood memories for sure.
Thanks for posting this history. I moved to Baltimore in 72 and never new about the steel plant or Sparrows Point. The aerial images of the area now speaks volumes about unkept promises and a lost time of American excellence.
Charlie what a wonderful work of love you have done for us sparrows pointers!!!! I can not thank you enough for your unselfish act of your time to produce such a video for all to enjoy!!! Can't wait to tell my sister in Baltimore Donna brown graduate of 1971(great class by the way) so she can show our mom!!! Hugs to you charlie God bless
I graduated 1972. Lived in the bungalows from 6 years old till they bulldozed them down. I went to all 3 schools so I appreciated your letting me have my past!!!! Hugs to you and your family
What a miracle that this footage exists! I am not from Sparrows Point - I grew up in Parkville in Baltimore County. I had always heard of Sparrows Point in relation to Bethlehem Steel, but had no idea that it was actually this small town with such vitality. Thanks to Mel and Glenda for having such foresight in shooting this video in 1973 before the town literally disappeared, and to Charlie for such a great job with his narration and personal history!
The decision was made to end the company housing/rentals in 1968 due to fear of racial issues. Plus the need to build a BOF where the town sat to compete with foreign steel. It was like turning a page and not being able to go back. So glad this footage lives on. Thanks to all who helped make this.
When we moved out there were still a number of residents still living on C Street (The McGowans, Everharts, Quarrels, Dr. Conways Nurse, and several others), Im sure it wasnt long before everyone was gone. I sure miss that place!
Thanks for sharing this wonderful video. We lived at 805 "C" Street, I never thought I would see that place again, and at the end we were taken right down the street I lived on! What a treat! to see D Street and all the shops took me back to 1962 - 1970! I went to Kindergarten at the school across from the Bank and moved to the High School for grades 1,2,3 (68,69,70). Well Done!
That sure brings back a few memories. I grew up in Edgemere and remember the old town. The red iron dust was something everyone was accustomed to. But it was a very close knit community with lots of great folks. Sad to see that it's all gone now. Thanks for posting this. Really brings back some great memories. Semper Fi...
My dad and Grandpa was Steel Haulers from South Point Ohio just across the Ohio River from ARMCO Steel Ashland Ky .. that's all they had was steal from all the steel mills..I would have to hide under the bed or under many blankets to Sneak In .. but once inside most of the Steel Mills didn't mind me helping dad Tarp and Chain .. Then hide to get out. last time i went to Sparrows Point with dad was in 1994 i was 19 yrs old ...I Still Had to Hide to get in lol even tho i already had my CDL and was driving. I GOT IN & OUT WITHOUT A HITCH ..LOL. it saddens me to see all these steel mills are slowly but surely being shut down and whats left is only Memory's .. thanks for Sharing this to CZcams.. Preciate-It Greatly , Peace ✌️ Love ❤ & 18 Wheelz to All . For those that Worked @ Sparrows Point and any other Steel Mill.. I Want to Thank Each and Every one who that gave Their All To Produce The Steel That Forged This Country and Providing Loads to Truckers to Raise Their Families.. ❤️ THANKS 👍 🙏
My Dad (Weldon Wertz) was the GM at Bethlehem Steel. We lived at 810 C street then in 1952 moved to Baltimore city. I worked in the #2 Machine shop on the shipyard side.
Cook ovens, red dust, worked at the fire station as a lieutenant, 1993, crazy place, lot of respect for those who worked there in 50- 70, my uncle was a brick layer in the ovens
NICE'. i remember riding in the back seat and front also first learning to drive that parked buik stationwaggon. at 14. thanks God bless and the world america nothing like today.
Charlie Hand - wasn't I your Band Teacher 1962-64? You played alto horn? Your mom worked in the school. My first job - the old HS was an elementary school at that time. Drove by in 2006 - the school was corporate headquarters by then - looked beautiful. That's where I was teaching when JFK was killed. A trumpet player from the year before came over from the Jr Hi, climbed in the basement window to the band room and gave us the shocking news. Thanks for the video!!!
I had just moved up the the main high school from 2 years at the annex. It was ninth grade and the teacher across the hall entered our room to tell us he just heard on his radio (during his break period) about JFK. When I was at the annex in 8th grade I was drafted along with 7 or 8 other of the biggest boys to clean out the dirt basement under the stage for a fallout shelter. This was around the time of the Cuban missile crisis. What a memory.
OMG I just vagely remember you, but I thank you from the bottom of my heart for beginning to instill in me the love of music. I remember playing the horn briefly before changing to trumpet. It was in music class with you where we heard the news. I didn't know what it meant. I thought it meant we were going to war. I remember you said that you had known JFK - had gone to school with him?
@@charliehand9412 Never will forget Mr Rusinko directing the school band on the annex auditorium stage where all classrooms surrounded the area and music filled the rooms. They used to play lots of marching music.
Charlie I grew up in Sparrows Point also. We used to play together. I remember the red dust you mentioned. We called it steel dust. If it settled on your car, and then got wet, it would promote rust and eat away at the metal. Yes, we literally had air pollution that ate cars. Anyway, it's good to hear from you again. Alan Coleman
+HoggRyder02 Alan Coleman, I certainly do remember you often. Some of us at reunions wonder what had become of you. I hope life has been mostly good for you. HoggRyder02, I gather you have been enjoying large motorcycles.
Charlie I'm doing fine. I'm retired now, and living in Columbia. I used to work for the space program as a computer programmer. Yes I do own a Honda 750, but don't ride as much as I used to. Stay we, Alan Sent from Huawei Mobile
My sneakers went from red in September at the beginning of the school year to red by June each year at the annex from jogging during gym outside. Talk about iron rich blood. We all had it. Saw the paint on the roof of my car turn from white to orange over time. It would eat right through the paint.
I just found this video and LOVED it! Thank you for sharing my hometown memories. Are you by chance the brother of Nina Hand? She was my best friend in high school.
+Karen Peeples Yes, Nina is my sister. Do you keep up with Nina? She has twin daughters. I'm not going to tell you how old they are. She lives in northern California, up in the redwood country.
+Charlie Hand I last saw Nina & Pete at our class reunion in 2002. I understand Pete passed away a few years ago. They were a special couple. Give Nina my best the next time you speak with her. I do love your video & thank you for sharing something that is only history now. Happy holidays to you & your family.
Thank you for this video and narration. My grandfather worked here when he came back from WWII. My mom and her brothers and sister grew up here. I would have been about 4 when this video was made. My dad and uncle both started working here in the 1970s. My dad retired the year before the final shut down. Do you know if there are any books that include the history and photos?
I could well imagine the hourly rate of pay was excellent enabling a family to live out their dreams on many levels. Unfortunately, or through shortsightedness, many thought things would last forever.
That picture is not 1973...The L furnace was built between 1975 and 1978 by Local 16 Ironworkers. Local 391 Boilermakers, Local 24 Electricians, and local 424 Steamfitters and Plumbers...Maybe it was edited in later on a drive thru in 1978...
Are you related to Janet Hand? She Married Hilary Janiszewski and she was my first boss at Bethlehem Steel. I worked as a clerk from March 1974 thru June 1982. Janet worked in the Engineering Department. She was a neat lady - loved her National BO _back when they called it National Beer. I worked in the "L" Blast Furnace Department when I was laid off. Miss those millwrights! They really took care of me. Sue Wallace
I had to take my uncle to Fort Howard and we would take no.10 Sparrow Point to catch a McMannon's bus ...we would eat at the drugsstore there...waiting for the fort Howard bus...!
Hello Mr. Hand, Can you tell me what building or structure was at the corner of H and Penwood Streets in Sparrows Point? I have a picture of my father standing in front of his house on 1120 H Street in the 1930's and behind him in the distance there is some kind of a building or structure. Today, Google Maps - Earth View shows it as an old parking lot. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Regards, Bill Beauston
I wouldn't know about the 1930s, Bill. In my memory, the 1960s and 70s, there was a parking lot at H and Penwood. Largest structure would be Bragg School to the north. I'm not even sure if that was there in the 1930s.
It's depressing how the world is turning out ! 2020 and the great steel mill is long gone Now cheap 12.00 an hour jobs from Amazon It's more modern day slavery Pay should be over twenty an hr minimum We are in the age where rich get richer and the poor get poorer Sad times!
charlie. this is danny smith. i grew up in sparrows point. matter of fact i was born in a company owned house. 1304 beechwood road. dr tollin delivered me. your mom was my 2nd grade teacher. i am so happy that you took your time to do this . i think i am the only surviving person to be born in a company owned house. thank you
This is totally AWESOME. I was born and raised in Baltimore, spending most of this time in Dundalk, Md..Have been away for almost 5o years now living in Madison, Ga, so refreshing to watch this and brought back many memories ..Thank you so much and God bless, you did an awesome job with this.
Thank you for posting this. I moved to 806 C Street at the age of 3 months old. We moved to Lutherville after I went to first grade at the Sparrows Pt. Elem. This was a good video of the layout of the town.
My Dr.Sharon Feldheim Whelton lived in one of those houses growing up
Thank you for this. I was born on Sparrows Point. We lived at 1344 Beechwood Road, then moved to 1205 Forrest Road. My grandparents lived at 508 E Street. When I was 8 we moved to Gray Manor, but I remember all the places in the film. My dad and my grandpa worked at the Steel Mill and watching this film brought back so many memories. Again, thank you for sharing this.
I went to school at the annex in the early 60's (7th & 8th grades). Later worked at the 'main office' in 68 til I got drafted (Vietnam). I had just returned from a stroll at lunch time and got back to work when the blast that was mentioned in this piece (where row of houses are missing). It shook the building heaving the floor of the office building up underneath me. It was just after 1pm. Got my polio vaccination at Dr Means office (chain smoker mentioned). Went to church at St Johns on D street. Rode the streetcar as a child across that rickety wooden bridge over to Logan Village to shop. Remember the A&P and telephone switchboard with all the operators inside, door open on hot days for all the see inside. On cold days stood inside the phone booth next to the drug store waiting for the blue bus, full of diesel fumes to take me away. Know so many from those days, now all scattered across the place, displaced like a bomb went off in their lives. Lost track of most. It was sacred ground in a sense. Now, just gone.
My dad, Officer/Sergeant Jim Hannah worked in the Main Office--he was in the Lobby and my Aunt June was key punch or some other office type lady. My dad LOVED introducing her to folks as his OLDER sister. Ironically, he went on to heaven on Good Friday 2017, but his beautiful older sis is still blessedly with us! Your post was great as was seeing this film!
@@wailelealoha I knew your dad and said hello to him from time to time when passing through the front lobby.
@@aday1637 Thanks for saying hello! Wish you and my dad could have one of those conversations now, but I do know he is in a far better place! Have a lovely (though incredibly hot) day!
I worked at Beth Steel from 1984-1994. Unfortunately, this was after Beth Steel's heyday, and all the residential buildings shown here were already long gone. Just vast open and empty blocks. I worked in a laboratory just to the south of the BOF, and would occasionally have to work at the Coke Ovens in the south part of the plant. I recently took a drive down to the plant and everything is gone now. Even the Main Office has been demolished. Really sad to see.
Wow! Thanks for the narration and storytelling. It is a wonderful piece of documentary work. If I understood correctly, when Beth Steel and Sparrows Point closed, most, if not all, of the town and buildings were torn down. Wow. In recent times I have driven close to here, where the big distribution centers, such as Amazon are.
I am a steel worker in a small town in Illinois and love the film.Its a shame that the town is gone and now the blast furnace is gone to. What a wonderful film
I hope your steel mill is still thriving and it is a shame what our government has done over the years to kill the steel business in the US
Wow ... I graduated in 1973 from the Point. This was an amazing memory!!
Absolutely astonishing! It's wonderful to see what things were like years ago. It helps me remember better times before the rise of computers. Although without my trusty computer I would have never seen this video. Thanks so much for sharing!
I live in Watersedge, I can remember seeing the glow of the furnace blast. My grandfather was a pipefitter there. All those trees were Sycamore Trees so I was told. All the trees in Watersedge, are in fact, Sycamore. It is my understanding that Murry's Point was developed by Bethelem Steel for vacation homes for the steelworkers.
Thank you Charlie, Mel, and Glenda for this film. Very nostalgic and eye watering at the same time.
My paternal grandfather worked in an even longer gone steel mill in Chester, PA, and I grew up a few miles from the steel mill in Claymont, DE (it went through several names but Phoenix Steel was what I grew up with it as, and the plant had its own company housing but IIRC no facilities like the Point had). That plant is gone too.
Several times in the seventies my mother and I stayed with my great aunt and great uncle who lived on the river in Riviera Beach. My great uncle pointed out the Point (and the Fort Howard VA hospital) to me on one of those stays and that's when I first heard of Sparrows Point.
Again, thanks people.
A wonderful film and narration.My father grew up on Sparrows Point in the bungalows. Later, after his parents had moved to H street, I would stay with them often when I was a small boy.I remember it well and pleased there is film of this.
Glad I stumbled on this. My parents and my grandmother grew up in Sparrows Point. I still remember the smells and sounds and my fascination with life in a company town. My grandmother gave us the duty of rinsing the red dust off the porches and sidewalks each morning. My mother and her Aunts grew up on H Street and my Father grew up on 8th Street. I remember parking my grandfathers Cadillac at the end of H Street and walking those blocks back to their row home with big porch and iron light posts. I still have those lights. I remember the day everyone packed up. I wish there was an earlier video available.
Glenda Jean Lawrenson Outstanding work Charlie! Thank you so much for your photos and narration and all the time you gave to this. A work from your heart for sure. Mel and I thank you! It had to have been meant to be, who would have thought something we did all those years ago would be used to honor and be meaningful to so many people! Mel and I both worked at the Point, he for a summer job before college and me in the Blast Furnace Mechanical Offices while Mel served our country in Vietnam.I was there when the plant blew up behind our grandparents house and separated the outside wall so scary!! Our dads, brothers, sons and uncles in the Meyer and Lawrenson families spent many years in those mills. I used to ride the blue bus line down and back to visit our grandparents and spend the night. They lived at 606 F. Street. Great memories! So love that you put this altogether. Again, many thanks.
an entire city.........gone.
i never knew this town. however i feel blessed for the works of Mel, Glenda & Charlie.
a simpler, sweeter time.
Hey Charlie, I saw this on Facebook and commented there. You did a wonderful job. I also liked when Mel and Glenda drove down C street and Meem and Peep lived right across from the Methodist Church. I noticed the house was no longer there at that time. I also noted to my sister that in the video Peep, Charlie Hand was holding you and your brother was standing beside him. Thank you for posting this Cousin Anita Goodman Grace Walker. Gigi
What an honor to hear from you, Gigi. Let's see, you are my great uncle Charlie Hand's granddaughter, yes? That makes me and you second cousins straight across, yes? And your sister would be, Barb? I am glad you enjoyed the video. But you are mistaken. In the photo, I was being held by my maternal grandfather, Arthur Weinmann.
Thank you for this - glad to have found it. I spent summer vacations in Sparrow Point to visit my grandparents. My mother and father grew up in Sparrows Point - Jean Seiders (Parents George and Edna Seiders(Carol Seiders and Bob Seiders)) and Dwinton Morgan (Walter and Bessie Morgan) - My grandmother's sister lived across from her (Charlotte Maupin, child Deanna) and a few doors down (Elsie Stitz(Jack Stitz)). We have the globe lights from the house and photos. I remember the day the neighbors moved. So sad. Brings back so many memories!
Sparrows Point Blvd. looks like Second Avenue in Pittsburgh PA's South Oakland neighborhood, which ran by J&L Steel's blast furnaces. The open hearths and Bessemers were across the Mon River, and the hot metal traveled in bottle cars across the appropriately-named Hot Metal rail bridge.
wow thank you for the memories. my grandparents lived on "e" street. I remember going to church with them at the St. Johns Lutheran church. I also went to 1st grade at the elementary school which was in my grandparents backyard pretty much. I would go over a lot to play hopscotch. I remember going to the drug store for a ice cream soda and rock candy. This would be 1965 for me. My grandfather worked at the mill. I remember my grandmother wiping off the clothes line with a rag to get the red dust off before hanging up her clothes to dry. This is a very nice video of things long ago. Childhood memories for sure.
Thanks for posting this history. I moved to Baltimore in 72 and never new about the steel plant or Sparrows Point. The aerial images of the area now speaks volumes about unkept promises and a lost time of American excellence.
We built the world with steel!! It's such a profound loss to see this gone!! Thanks for posting this!!
Charlie what a wonderful work of love you have done for us sparrows pointers!!!! I can not thank you enough for your unselfish act of your time to produce such a video for all to enjoy!!! Can't wait to tell my sister in Baltimore Donna brown graduate of 1971(great class by the way) so she can show our mom!!! Hugs to you charlie God bless
Oh my goodness, what kind words, Pat. BTW, I am also class of 1971.
I graduated 1972. Lived in the bungalows from 6 years old till they bulldozed them down. I went to all 3 schools so I appreciated your letting me have my past!!!! Hugs to you and your family
What a miracle that this footage exists! I am not from Sparrows Point - I grew up in Parkville in Baltimore County. I had always heard of Sparrows Point in relation to Bethlehem Steel, but had no idea that it was actually this small town with such vitality. Thanks to Mel and Glenda for having such foresight in shooting this video in 1973 before the town literally disappeared, and to Charlie for such a great job with his narration and personal history!
The decision was made to end the company housing/rentals in 1968 due to fear of racial issues. Plus the need to build a BOF where the town sat to compete with foreign steel. It was like turning a page and not being able to go back. So glad this footage lives on. Thanks to all who helped make this.
When we moved out there were still a number of residents still living on C Street (The McGowans, Everharts, Quarrels, Dr. Conways Nurse, and several others), Im sure it wasnt long before everyone was gone. I sure miss that place!
Hello. How is Owen? One of my best friends.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful video. We lived at 805 "C" Street, I never thought I would see that place again, and at the end we were taken right down the street I lived on! What a treat! to see D Street and all the shops took me back to 1962 - 1970! I went to Kindergarten at the school across from the Bank and moved to the High School for grades 1,2,3 (68,69,70). Well Done!
David, you must have been one of the last families. BTW, my mother was the secretary at your elementary school in 68, 69, 70.
That sure brings back a few memories. I grew up in Edgemere and remember the old town. The red iron dust was something everyone was accustomed to. But it was a very close knit community with lots of great folks. Sad to see that it's all gone now. Thanks for posting this. Really brings back some great memories. Semper Fi...
Wow I grew up in sparrows point on Waldman Avenue was born in 1992 it so awesome to see what my small hometown use to be.
I remember one day (Im 28 and grew up in Millers island) when that last blast furnace they had had an accident or something that rattled our windows.
Great job! Thanks!
Awesome! Grew up in Dundalk in 60s/70s. Great film. My whole extended family worked at the mill.
My Great Grandfather and my Grandfather both retired from the steel mill. Brings back a lot of memories.
My dad and Grandpa was Steel Haulers from South Point Ohio just across the Ohio River from ARMCO Steel Ashland Ky .. that's all they had was steal from all the steel mills..I would have to hide under the bed or under many blankets to Sneak In .. but once inside most of the Steel Mills didn't mind me helping dad Tarp and Chain .. Then hide to get out. last time i went to Sparrows Point with dad was in 1994 i was 19 yrs old ...I Still Had to Hide to get in lol even tho i already had my CDL and was driving. I GOT IN & OUT WITHOUT A HITCH ..LOL. it saddens me to see all these steel mills are slowly but surely being shut down and whats left is only Memory's .. thanks for Sharing this to CZcams.. Preciate-It Greatly , Peace ✌️ Love ❤ & 18 Wheelz to All . For those that Worked @ Sparrows Point and any other Steel Mill.. I Want to Thank Each and Every one who that gave Their All To Produce The Steel That Forged This Country and Providing Loads to Truckers to Raise Their Families.. ❤️ THANKS 👍 🙏
I so appreciate this video I was born in the home at 429 F street 1948 and we moved 1955 for the L furnace to be build Reggie Dailey
You may know The Feldheims( Sharon Feldheim Whelton )
My Dr.I work for lived in those of those houses.
Amazing this video shows up right after the Key Bridge collapse
My Dad (Weldon Wertz) was the GM at Bethlehem Steel. We lived at 810 C street then in 1952 moved to Baltimore city. I worked in the #2 Machine shop on the shipyard side.
Cook ovens, red dust, worked at the fire station as a lieutenant, 1993, crazy place, lot of respect for those who worked there in 50- 70, my uncle was a brick layer in the ovens
An uncle of mine was a SP firefighter for many years.
Another uncle a SP policeman.
NICE'. i remember riding in the back seat and front also first learning to drive that parked buik stationwaggon. at 14. thanks God bless and the world america nothing like today.
I live here in sparrows point, in the small town of edgemere.
What's up homie I live in the village and go to sparrows point middle, I probably know you
Charlie Hand - wasn't I your Band Teacher 1962-64? You played alto horn? Your mom worked in the school. My first job - the old HS was an elementary school at that time. Drove by in 2006 - the school was corporate headquarters by then - looked beautiful. That's where I was teaching when JFK was killed. A trumpet player from the year before came over from the Jr Hi, climbed in the basement window to the band room and gave us the shocking news. Thanks for the video!!!
I had just moved up the the main high school from 2 years at the annex. It was ninth grade and the teacher across the hall entered our room to tell us he just heard on his radio (during his break period) about JFK. When I was at the annex in 8th grade I was drafted along with 7 or 8 other of the biggest boys to clean out the dirt basement under the stage for a fallout shelter. This was around the time of the Cuban missile crisis. What a memory.
OMG I just vagely remember you, but I thank you from the bottom of my heart for beginning to instill in me the love of music. I remember playing the horn briefly before changing to trumpet. It was in music class with you where we heard the news. I didn't know what it meant. I thought it meant we were going to war. I remember you said that you had known JFK - had gone to school with him?
@@charliehand9412 Never will forget Mr Rusinko directing the school band on the annex auditorium stage where all classrooms surrounded the area and music filled the rooms. They used to play lots of marching music.
Charlie
I grew up in Sparrows Point also. We used to play together. I remember the red dust you mentioned. We called it steel dust. If it settled on your car, and then got wet, it would promote rust and eat away at the metal. Yes, we literally had air pollution that ate cars. Anyway, it's good to hear from you again.
Alan Coleman
+HoggRyder02 Alan Coleman, I certainly do remember you often. Some of us at reunions wonder what had become of you. I hope life has been mostly good for you. HoggRyder02, I gather you have been enjoying large motorcycles.
Charlie
I'm doing fine. I'm retired now, and living in Columbia.
I used to work for the space program as a computer programmer. Yes I
do own a Honda 750, but don't ride as much as I used to.
Stay we,
Alan
Sent from Huawei Mobile
That red dust ate through two exhaust systems of my Citroen 1962-64 - my dad couldn't believe it!
My dad rented one of those garages by the F Street field. He would keep good car there and drive an old rust bucket around town.
My sneakers went from red in September at the beginning of the school year to red by June each year at the annex from jogging during gym outside. Talk about iron rich blood. We all had it. Saw the paint on the roof of my car turn from white to orange over time. It would eat right through the paint.
I just found this video and LOVED it! Thank you for sharing my hometown memories. Are you by chance the brother of Nina Hand? She was my best friend in high school.
+Karen Peeples Yes, Nina is my sister. Do you keep up with Nina? She has twin daughters. I'm not going to tell you how old they are. She lives in northern California, up in the redwood country.
+Charlie Hand I last saw Nina & Pete at our class reunion in 2002. I understand Pete passed away a few years ago. They were a special couple. Give Nina my best the next time you speak with her. I do love your video & thank you for sharing something that is only history now. Happy holidays to you & your family.
Oh my gosh, I remember Nina too!
Thank you for this video and narration. My grandfather worked here when he came back from WWII. My mom and her brothers and sister grew up here. I would have been about 4 when this video was made. My dad and uncle both started working here in the 1970s. My dad retired the year before the final shut down. Do you know if there are any books that include the history and photos?
I could well imagine the hourly rate of pay was excellent enabling a family to live out their dreams on many levels. Unfortunately, or through shortsightedness, many thought things would last forever.
That picture is not 1973...The L furnace was built between 1975 and 1978 by Local 16 Ironworkers. Local 391 Boilermakers, Local 24 Electricians, and local 424 Steamfitters and Plumbers...Maybe it was edited in later on a drive thru in 1978...
😎
Are you related to Janet Hand? She Married Hilary Janiszewski and she was my first boss at Bethlehem Steel. I worked as a clerk from March 1974 thru June 1982. Janet worked in the Engineering Department. She was a neat lady - loved her National BO _back when they called it National Beer. I worked in the "L" Blast Furnace Department when I was laid off. Miss those millwrights! They really took care of me. Sue Wallace
He stated in a comment to someone thar asked the same question: yes, he is the brother.
I had to take my uncle to Fort Howard and we would take no.10 Sparrow Point to catch a McMannon's bus ...we would eat at the drugsstore there...waiting for the fort Howard bus...!
I’m guessing the green bus would use the old and no longer there Dundalk bridge?
Hello Mr. Hand,
Can you tell me what building or
structure was at the corner of H and Penwood Streets in Sparrows Point? I
have a picture of my father standing in front of his house on 1120 H Street
in the 1930's and behind him in the distance there is some kind of a
building or structure. Today, Google Maps - Earth View shows it as an old
parking lot.
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Bill Beauston
I wouldn't know about the 1930s, Bill. In my memory, the 1960s and 70s, there was a parking lot at H and Penwood. Largest structure would be Bragg School to the north. I'm not even sure if that was there in the 1930s.
Corner of H and Penwood had been a parking lot as long as I can remember.
It's depressing how the world is turning out ! 2020 and the great steel mill is long gone Now cheap 12.00 an hour jobs from Amazon It's more modern day slavery Pay should be over twenty an hr minimum We are in the age where rich get richer and the poor get poorer Sad times!
Loss of any is a tragedy? Why?
Its level now☹️ 19syndicate
Great video but honestly every house and neighborhood looks the same
I live to see pics of marland transportation trucks loading steel