Gary, Indiana, ghost town

Mr. Svetich,

Thank you for your quick reply. I guess some things are better left unknown and unsolved. My quest will continue and I'll post if I ever find anything as close. Probably not, but one can wish. If any of your family members ever open another bakery, please let me know, as I will be the first to have a white on white shipped overnight. Have a most wonderful day!

Okay, not fair. You guys are makin' me HUNGRY!

I, too, have fond memories of Glen Park Bakery. Once in a while on a Sunday, on our way home after church at 43rd Avenue Presbyterian, Dad would stop at GPB and pick up a dozen mixed sweet rolls. It was all we three kids could do, to sit patiently in the back seat of the Rambler, smelling those rolls and waiting to get home so we could dig in. Of course, Mom would make us change out of our church clothes first. Waiting . . . anticipating . . . ! We also had to wait while she made a pot of coffee for her and Dad, using the new percolator. We were salivating by the time we finally got to sit down at the table and enjoy those wonderful pastries!

Mr. Peters,
Thank you for your kind words about how much you enjoyed my uncle Nick's white on white cake. All of the great tasting pastries made at the Glen Park Bakery is a tribute to the employees and their hard work to produce the freshest and highest quality product. Over the years there have been so many people that have commented to our family how much they have enjoyed finishing a Sunday family dinner with their favorite pastry from Glen Park Bakery. I personally remember a rule at dinner in my home where EVERYONE at the table needed to be finished with their main meal before anyone could start digging into dessert. You can imagine how us kids (4 of us) urged our parents on to finish their meal quickly so we could get to those sweet goodies that were sitting within eyesight on the kitchen counter with the aroma driving our surgar crazed bodies nearly into convulsions. Everyone has their faviorite pastry, mine were the brownies. They were SO chewy, SO thick and moist and LOADED with thick chocolate icing. Much like yourself not being able to find white on white cake like you purchased from Glen Park Bakery, I too have never been able to find brownies as good.
Regarding your request for the flavoring my uncle used in his white on white cake. I onced asked my uncle how he made such delicious tasting brownies including what ingredience he used. I must have been twelve years old at the time. Sitting at his desk in his office he looked at my father who I came to the bakery with along with my twin brother. After my uncle looked at both my twin brother and I he said...I still can't tell you twins apart (looking at both my brother and I) so I don't know who asked the question but my answer is the same for you both. I love you as I do my own children but not even my own children know the answer to that question and that's by design he said with a smile. At such a young age I didn't understand his answer but didn't question him. Then with both my uncle and dad laughing we got up and proceeded to leave the bakery with our goodies in hand.
I guess some things are better off kept secret. I never did learn what ingredience were in his brownies! Sorry Gene I can't help you but aren't the memories of that 9 inch white on white cake glorious!

Mr. Svetich,

I stumbled across this site and couldn't be happier! I grew up in Glen Park, leaving after finishing HS in the early 80's and to this day have never found a better white on white cake that your family made. I would buy a 9 inch round and polish it off within a couple days. My friends and family make fun of me because everywhere I travel, here and abroad, if I see white on white cake I have to try a piece. Sadly, I have never been able to find one that tastes like the Glen Park Bakery white on white. Any possible chance you could let me know the flavoring your family used that haunts me to this day in my never-ending search?

Thank you,
Gene Peters

Rick V,
I don't believe my uncle owned a bakery in downtown Gary. The furthest north was in Glen Park on Broadway and 38th. We kids made it a point to make the rounds to all of his bakeries at one time or another, but don't ever remember going to downtown Gary. We used to gobble up the day-old pasteries and when the sugar rush hit...look out!

Art Green, are you serious? You want people to consider the minor league base ball team and our beaches as if these will off-set what's wrong with the city? The city is an embarrassment. Have you any idea how many schools they've boarded up in the past 4 years in that city; and why? That's the big question, why? Could it be that there is absolutely no growth? Could it be that the school aged people aren't attending in numbers large enough to make it cost effective? New town houses; are you kidding me? If they're so great, will you leave Hammond and move into one? I'm Gary born and raised myself, and I'm proud of it, but if it walks, quacks and looks like a duck it probably is a duck. Gary is a dump now and has been for a very long time. And no baseball stadium, not even a major league one and folks from Chicago coming across on their boats and buying up houses on the beach is making life for the everyday Gary resident any safer, better or brighter. Reading your comments made me wonder if you aren’t actually the idiot Gary mayor. I can't even take a stroll around Lew Wallace day or night without the risk of great bodily harm. You sound a ridiculous as someone from Mayberry talking about how the town has a brand new fire hydrant, and a fresh coat of paint on the town library.

Dennis, can you tell me where Vivian's Record Shop was located? Is Vivian the Vivian from the JV or VJ record label? I know that Gary had it's own record lable and they actually signed Franky Vallie and the Four Seasons and the first to sign the Beatles. You can find the whole story on line; it's very interesting.

Bob Svetich, all this talk about the Glen Park Bakery got me all misty eyed. My sister who graduated from Wallace in 74 or 75 worked at your uncle's bakery on 38th an Broadway if I'm not mistaken. Years later when the bakery moved to Merriville near US 30, I believe on Cleveland Street, and class mate of mine from Wallace (class of 81), Anna Meshishack (I know I totally misspelled her last name), worked at the bakery too. Can you tell me if your uncle's bakery was ever located down town? I'm probably wrong, but my oldest sister worked at a bakery downtown back in the mid seventies and in the back was a business called Look Optical which my oldest brother worked at.

To Art Green, comment below;

I completely understand your point. However, sites like these are dedicated to the exploration of urban ruins and the excitement lies in seeing and experiencing already abandoned things. Showing ruins and decaying places does not come across as 'bad' but exciting and inspirational!

It's funny how folks always come to Gary to show the bad and never the good. Showing how the city has fallen over the years is very educational, I saw some buildings in here I have never seen or noticed before. But it would be nice if the people putting sites like this together can show the good. Things like the Gary Railcats baseball stadium, Illinois residents coming to our beaches (Lake street and Marquette Park beach), all the new townhomes that are being built. True, the city has fallen over the years, but for some that happens. Gary still remains functional, however it has had a very diffucult economic time over the last few years due to some large companies not paying their taxes and closing or selling their property, the state making Gary cut their budget millions of dollars forcing layoffs. But like any other city, what can people do but do what they can to survive and take care of their family which sometimes means not having money to keep your home maintained, business up and running, buildings maintained. After awhile, you have to let something go to take care of who you love and over time, things get run down and Gary has become what it is now. A place that used to have a lot of jobs and nice homes and buildings and now has very few jobs, business owners and run down homes and apartment buildings. Gary is now full of people trying to survive and educate themselves to make a better future for themselves.
By the way, I was born and raised in Gary, In, left at age 17 to go college, graduated Purdue in Mechanical Engineering Technology and came back to Gary until I moved to Hammond, In in 2005. I'm currently a member of 219 Riderz motorcycle club, based in Gary and we do occasional events in Gary for kids and family. There's not much left in Gary for me, except my parents, but I'd never turn my back on my home.

So, is Gary still somewhat functional, or is it a total ghost town now. From the pics, seemed there was still some activity, but I am aware they were taken a while back.

From a brief (forgive me for not reading thoroughly) scanning of the posts, I take it Gary is now a rather dangerous area? I assume from gangs and other social misanthropes.

It also seems , barring the unpleasant confrontation with the above mentioned criminal element, you can easily access the buildings?

Again, I do ask those of you intimately familiar with the area, forgive my ignorence. Just an ol' New Englander trying to expand his understanding.

Katydoes, I concur that it's tragic how both Gary and Detroit has eroded into what you so accurately describe as a "battlefield", however it is not a complicated situation as you inaccurately described. All it takes is the majority of people in both Gary and Detroit to care enough, to desire enough, to want enough to make their city into a safe, clean, thriving city. It's the people of a city that make a city what it is or is not. When I was growng up in Gary in the 50's and 60's it was much cleaner and much safter because the majority of people back then cared enough to make the city a clean and safe place. The opposite is now true. The majority of people in Gary and Detroit do not care enough to make their city clean and safe therefore it's not. If people would only take total responsibility for their actions, and stop blaming others, then much good work can be done. The problem is that if people do take responsibility for their acitions, they must also take responsibility for the results of their actions and lord knows they don't what to do that. To be accountable would be much too hard on their self-esteem and egos therefore they avoid this feeling by blaming others and nothing positive gets done. You took personal offense to my comments based on you (I'm assuming) not being one of those non-caring people that have been contributing to the demise of both cities. Good for you. The world needs more caring people like you. The problem is the majority of people in both Gary and Detroit don't care enough to make their cities clean, safe, and prosperous. Ask youself one simple question, if the majority of people in both cities cared enough to really make a positive difference, would the cities be better off? The obvious answer is yes. Then the next question is, why don't the majority of people in these cities care enough to make a positive difference. My answer is, their too busy blaming others and not taking responsibility for their own actions. You may have a different opinion although being the caring, responsible, and accountable person that you are it would be difficult to disagree, don't you agree? You and I both know nothing will change for the better in these once great cities unless people do. End of story!

Bob Svetich, having grown up in Gary (Lew Wallace 75) and now living in a Detroit burb, I took umbrage at your comment that i read as suggesting that Detroiters do not care about their city. I assure you that while Detroit is every bit the burnt out battlefield that Gary is, the reasons for its demise too are every bit as complicated and tragic. And amidst the crack houses and deserted mansions and corrupt politicians, concerned citizens fight to rehab once beautiful neighborhoods and caring neighborhoods take over the upkeep and beautification of public parks that the city can no longer afford to maintain.

These pictures make me looks sick! It is such a shame that all of these buildings were left to decay!

Bob Svetich,
The last I heard of Ted he was back in Gary, that has been some time ago. I did see him a funeral for a mutual friend and he was not working. For quite a while he was a stand up comedian in Sarasota. He also worked for me in Sarasota for quite a few years. Then he became a building inspector for Sarasota County and when the building crunch hit he was laid off. I told Kathy that I found you on this very provacative, interesting site. Glen Park bakery, I can still smell it as we bought our goodies there quite often. I hung out mostly at Adank's bar for Friday night perch. Nothing better.

Robert,
I remember Ken getting married to your daughter Kathy back in 1971. That was the year I graduated from Lew Wallace.
You may remember my name from my uncle Nick Svetich who owned the Glen Park Bakery. My uncle Tony Svetich owned Tony's Bar. People seem to remember both places. Glen Park Bakery for it great tasting pasteries and Tony's Bar for it fried Walleye every Friday. I also have an identical twin brother. We played lots of sports in Gary. I remember Barbara Combs and your construction company. Do you know what Ted is doing these days?

Bob Svetich:
Thanks for you reply. I am Kathy's dad. Kathy married Kenny Hanaway in Gary in 1971. I had moved the rest of my family to Sarasota, fl in 1970. Kathy and Ken followed a year later. Then came Ted. I put them both to work for a construction I worked for. Kathy eventually divorced and married a guy who lived in Sarasota. At present time I live in Ocala, Fl and often have many, many fond memories of growing up in Gary in the early days. I was born at 733 Tennessee St, in 1930. My family goes back to 1906 in Gary when my grandfather came from VT and started a construction company, L.I. Combs and Sons. I remember your name but can't put a face to it.

Robert,
Although you asked Greg if he knows Kathy, Kenny and Ted I though I would chime in and say that I know them all with fond memories. I haven't kept in contact with folks from high school so I don't know where they are or what there doing these days. I do wish them all the best and a fun and safe summer.

I thought I would share a short story that some of you may find interesting. I was attending a business meeting yesterday at a very well know guest ranch here in Colorado called CLazyU Ranch. The topic where I was from came up and when I replied Gary, Indiana it was like I committed a crime (no pun intended). Jaws dropped, eyes widened and the questions that followed were like they were shot out of an automatic rifle..."Is Gary anything like what we here? Have you ever seen a crime happen in person? What was it like growing up in Gary? On and on the questions came, it was amazing! Our business meeting turned into a history lesson about Gary, Indiana. After at least 20 minutes, we were able to get back to business and the meeting turned out great for everyone.

For those of you who live in Gary and want to make positive changes, God Bless You! For those of you who don't, move to Detroit where they will be happy to welcome you with open arms!!!

Danielle'
Most intelligent people know where the shift button is on their computer. I don't know were you went to school but we were taught proper punctuation and capitalization. You sure do have a chip on your shoulder. I don't think you can ever be happy and begin to find the good all around you.

to Greg,
Did you happen to know Kathy Combs? Kenny Hanway? Ted Gikas?

Raymond, it is certainly a pain in the neck, to go back to the beginning. I first stumbled across this forum about a year ago, and at that time it was one long chain of comments. Somewhere along the line, the webmaster divided it into pages, and it's been a pain in the keester to navigate ever since. I don't know a better way to view the pages than that which you've already discovered.

Good luck! It IS worth it to go all the way back. What a great trip down memory lane!

Sounds like you had a very bad experience. Gary was not like that when I lived there. It seems like after I graduated from Gary Wallace in '69, Gary started it's demise into the hell-hole it is now. What a shame. All those good memories a lot of us had while growing up in Gary. Unfortunately, you lived there at a time Gary was and is seen at its worse. Thank God, we who contribute to this site are gone!

fuck gary indiana. i used to live on the south side of chicago, where there are a lot of gangs and drugs going around. i lived there for 15 years and never had one thing happen. i recently moved to gary indiana, right on the border of griffith, and in the 10 months that i lived there, was robbed twice, once while i was out at the gas station, and another at 1030 at night on a tuesday when i was in my home watching television. needless to say i moved out of there, with the nothing that they left me. indiana is a shithole in itself filled with a lot of very unintelligent people, but more than anything fuck that godforsaken shithole (gary) where the people cant read and dont know the first thing about credit.

What we lost in the destruction of Gary will never be truly recovered no matter what is done. It wasn't just the buildings, the mills, the shopping, the schools. It was a way of life. And of course, you don't know how great it was untile it was gone. While it is a terribly sad thing that happened to my hometown, I will always have the memories of my childhood in Brunswick, and all the places we hung out. You could rebuild the entire city, but it will never be what it was. It was simply too good to come around again.

This morning like every Sunday Morning we watch CBS Sunday Morning. They had a segment of the show about the Mayor of Braddock, Pa. John Fetterman. Well this man is really doing something for the once striving steel town. I swear it looked just like Gary. Rudy Clay is a joke.
Check the link below

www.nytimes.com

Vivian's Record Shop back in the 1950's is one of my favorite memories. (I'm white for whatever that means). And her radio show was the very best in history,anywhere.

As I observe the pictures, then read the comments I could do no more than to sit and reflect of my life growing up in Gary Indiana. As a William A. Wirt grad of 82' while living on the west side of the city (down the street from Horace Mann). I feel that I have had the best of both worlds in regards to experiences with Gary city life and also the suburbs of Miller that consisted of a then a pretty beach and an outstanding view of Chicago from Marquette Park.

As many on this forum would attest, life was very tolerable/fun back in the day! Gary has some fantastic Midwesterners that were ingenious, full of spirit/zeal. I have modeled my life after some fantastic people that I grew up around.

In my opinion, the steel mills where the turning point (when they failed) and also the white flight that seemed to change the dynamics after time which would negatively impact the city. My memories where good though, and a wise uncle (Jerry Patton) told me; if I can make it in Gary, I could make it anywhere' Well, this is true because of the diversity in which had lived. There was always the 3rd city of Chicago that would have a major influence in Gary, but the other communities that surrounded Gary were an influence as well. The successful person who remained resilent where both smart, well rounded but overall tough/not easily stirred became the by-products of residents who grew up in Gary.

My father; Jesse Maurice Patton who is a practicing lawyer provided a modest living environment for our family with a touch of intelligence. There were and are many examples of good hard working descent people that did or still do live in Gary, that mean no harm to anyone! These were are teaches and examples.

What is needed for Gary to turn around? What has happened to Gary is unfortunately happening all over the country. The ultimate deterioration of family values during the selfish 80's may be part of the answer of current conditions that exist now. The 90's were the 'ME' generations and now its all of the chain, no hold barred!

Gary has / had a lot to give and offer but no one will take advantage of the challenge in the work of the rebuilding of core principles and tenents values. Greed could have excellerated the decline of a once humble and safe city as well.

There needs to be a reason for a person to want to live in Gary but if there are no jobs and a person has no family, then what would be the draw? If the city had work and jobs then there could be a chance for one to have a descent way of life.

Until then, most find it easier to just move to an already established city and in my case, I have made a fantastic way of life in the south.... This is my new home! As I venture back to the city of Gary, to see my father, the memories are there but the more often I travel back (and buildings are no longer) unfortuantely the more the good times seem to fade..........

Frank P.
Atlanta Ga.

As I observe the pictures, then read the comments I could do no more than to sit and reflect of my life growing up in Gary Indiana. As a William A. Wirt grad of 82' while living on the west side of the city (down the street from Horace Mann). I feel that I have had the best of both worlds in regards to experiences with Gary city life and also the suburbs of Miller that consisted of a then a pretty beach and an outstanding view of Chicago from Marquette Park.

As many on this forum would attest, life was very tolerable/fun back in the day! Gary has some fantastic Midwesterners that were ingenious, full of spirit/zeal. I have modeled my life after some fantastic people that I grew up around.

In my opinion, the steel mills where the turning point (when they failed) and also the white flight that seemed to change the dynamics after time which would negatively impact the city. My memories where good though, and a wise uncle (Jerry Patton) told me; if I can make it in Gary, I could make it anywhere' Well, this is true because of the diversity in which had lived. There was always the 3rd city of Chicago that would have a major influence in Gary, but the other communities that surrounded Gary were an influence as well. The successful person who remained resilent where both smart, well rounded but overall tough/not easily stirred became the by-products of residents who grew up in Gary.

My father; Jesse Maurice Patton who is a practicing lawyer provided a modest living environment for our family with a touch of intelligence. There were and are many examples of good hard working descent people that did or still do live in Gary, that mean no harm to anyone! These were are teaches and examples.

What is needed for Gary to turn around? What has happened to Gary is unfortunately happening all over the country. The ultimate deterioration of family values during the selfish 80's may be part of the answer of current conditions that exist now. The 90's were the 'ME' generations and now its all of the chain, no hold barred!

Gary has / had a lot to give and offer but no one will take advantage of the challenge in the work of the rebuilding of core principles and tenents values. Greed could have excellerated the decline of a once humble and safe city as well.

There needs to be a reason for a person to want to live in Gary but if there are no jobs and a person has no family, then what would be the draw? If the city had work and jobs then there could be a chance for one to have a descent way of life.

Until then, most find it easier to just move to an already established city and in my case, I have made a fantastic way of life in the south.... This is my new home! As I venture back to the city of Gary, to see my father, the memories are there but the more often I travel back (and buildings are no longer) unfortuantely the more the good times seem to fade..........

Frank P.
Atlanta Ga.

Cindy, Scottsdale.
You made some interesting remarks about your dad growing up in Gary and living on 2nd and Tyler St. I sure he could see the mill from his front porch. First what was his last name? What business did he have? What is your husbands last name?

I was born and raised in Gary Indiana. I'm enjoying the comments here. However, I do have a problem. To start at the beginning of the comments I have to click back page by page. Where ever I leave off doesn't matter, I still have to click back to try and find where I was if I can't read the whole thing (and I can not) in one setting. Any advise on overcoming this problem by someone having personal experience? I've already trouble shot most things one could try.

My sister Terese has commented on her life in Gary (Miller) while I am five years older and remember Gary and Miller even safer, cleaner and a wonderful city to grow up as a child. While growing up there was still growth in the Miller section of Gary. Attended Wirt High School and graduated in 1969. What a great place to grow up in. After getting married in 1974 and living in our home near Wirt High School and coming home early one day and a burgler was in our home we sold it and moved to Hobart for 4 years before moving to AZ. Scottsdale is now is what Gary used to be safe, clean and friendly.

My father had a family business there and knew all of the movers and shakers in Gary and remember him telling me in the late 60's that US Steel who was the tax base for Gary at that time was getting heat from the politians and from Chicago politians. At one time he was able to walk even in the "Ghetto" section of Gary in safety. He knew and respected all people and was color blind. He grew up in Gary and lived on 2nd and Tyler st.

I have met several people who knew my dad back then who have moved away and never met anyone that had a mean thing to say about him. My mom and dad decided not to leave their Miller home and both are now deceased - they had alot of good family memories in that house (six children, a large extended family parties. ) The neighbors where considered family

My husband (Gene) graduated from Emerson in 1959 and lived in downtown Gary all his life. He remembers what a great city it used to be (born in 1939) when he was growing up. He remembers all of the now landmarks . He remembers playing football at Emerson and all the famous people who used to live there.

It is a shame that the lake front is not being utiiiized to it's fullest potential what a beautiful part of the
US.

I must disagree with your observation about the "tools" not being given to the student population of Gary vs counterparts one city over. The tools are given to all students by their teachers and the school system. If the children refuse to learn for whatever reason and the parent has an "I don't give a dam" attitude, what good are the tools? Let me again go back to the 50's & 60's. Parents were involved with the school system and their children. We students back then wanted to learn. There were Latin clubs, French clubs, Russian clubs, etc. My point is this: We wanted to learn and better ourselves thru school and social activities after school. This atmosphere, I believe, does not exist anymore. Nobody cares with the exception of the teacher. (I hope). The teachers care, but they can't force the student to learn if there is no support from within the family rank. Sure, Boys and Girls clubs are of benefit to those who are willing to participate. The tools are there. It is up to the child and parent to utilize them.

Nice post, Nikki! I would add that the Boys and Girls Club does great things for kids in Gary!
www.nwipositiveplace.org
There are, indeed, some people out there who care.

I am originally from a city south of Chicago and I moved here with my husband. I had heard great stories of Gary as well and it is so rich in history that it breaks my heart that the legacies of so many strong vibrant people have been marred and forgotten. Even worse, there are so many intelligent and talented children in this city who are not given adequate tools to compete with their counterparts one city over. We need to start giving back in a major way. I see adults who say they are giving back but after they have received the recognition the programs fall away. I have to commend the YWCA summer program for teaching our children to golf, swim, choose healthy diets and incorporate physical activity. The Gary Steelers Popwarner Football/Cheerleading teams also encourage scholastic achievement because if you do not have adequate grades (report cards must be presented at registration), you will not participate. There are several dedicated volunteers for the Babe Ruth and Little League baseball teams. There are truly beautiful people in this city! I must mention our teachers and the dedication it takes to teach in deplorable conditions or situations where they are supplying the classroom needs.

I cannot name everyone but there are dynamic professionals in medical, social work, religious leaders, etc. We need someone to lead us on a political front to fight for us to have proper schools, roads and demolish structures that are not safe. Violence cannot stand against a people who are proud to be where they are. We have a generation(s) who live here who have never experienced pride in or ownership of a thing, anything. Give people something nice to look upon and call theirs proudly and I think that attitude can conquer hate, anger, feelings of lack. This city could shine again under proper leadership and not the leadership of someone who is trying to relive his/her glory days of the 1970's without thought of our future...our children. I feel this is important for people who don't live here to know that we are brilliant despite outward appearance. Beautiful flowers grow in manure.

Mayor Rudy Clay
rclay@ci.gary.in.us

PART OF THIS SITE WAS CREATED FOR EVERYONE THAT LOVE THE CITY OF GARY. MOST OF US WERE BORN AND RAISED HERE. WE NEED TO BE GREATFUL FOR THE CREATOR OF THIS SITE AND NOT VOICE, OR VENT OUR BAD VIEWS ABOUT THINGS. WHY DONT YOU REBUILD YOUR CITY? WHY DONT YOU COME BACK EVERY NOW AND THEN AND SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO. WHY NOT CALL MAYOR RUDY CLAY AND SEE WHAT HE IS DOING ABOUT REBUILDING OUR GREAT CITY

Dr. Malinda La Cour

malinda_lacour@hotmail.com

I've just found this site and enjoyed reading most of the comments.I came to "Da Region" in 1983 and considered it my home after a few years,I loved the people and the history.My wife is from Munster and she and her Mom told me what a great place Gary was.She is only 48 now so it is not ancient history,now I read all these stories of the schools,teachers(By name from decades ago mind you!)and the list goes on and on.It seems like a place I would do anything to preserve no matter how many people left. Now I always hear the down-trodden tell you not to judge the whole by just a few,well why do so many let so few destroy entire towns and cities like Gary?So in my case I AM judging the many and not the few for throwing away an opportunity have a wonderful community with the infrastructure already in place.I'm sure other generations would have welcomed the chance no matter what race they were.One more thing,people who allow their children to listen to" music" (got my quotation mark fingers going) that glorifies gangs, crime, drugs, prostitution,abuse of women should expect anti-social behavior.I used to think this was B.S. but not anymore,listening to that for 30 years would make me anti-social too.Oh well, good luck to the people of Gary.One more thing ,the web-site,"The U.S. Steel Photograph Collection",(Google) shows your guys' schools, mill,and Gary being built,very cool.

You tell them Derrick! Man you had me rolling after reading what you said to Kevin and to Michelle P. Greg from Deltona, FL was 100% right; I couldn't have said it better myself. I get so sick and tired of those not affected dismissing what has affected so many other people for so very long.
When I was an under graduate student at Purdue back in the mid 80's and did a paper on Gary (I still have the statistics laying around here somewhere) and gathered violent crime stats from 1910 to 1980 only and the numbers were insane. And all I was looking for where violent robberies, assaults and murders. So Kevin’s little speech doesn’t hold any water with anyone smart enough to read.
And as far as murder rates going down in the city, now that is true. But it's only because the ones doing the killings are either dead or locked up. That is a mathematical fact and this is not my opinion, I'm quoting social scientists I heard on the radio. And by the way, he was a black social scientist. They've basically killed themselves off to the point that murder has decreased.
People hate it when I start listing some of the possible reasons for the murder rate decline, but these reasons are what I've read in professional publications, it's not stuff I made up. One reason cited for the decrease in murder rate in the city of Gary is as mentioned before, attrition; the killers are either dead or in prison. Another reason; and this one gets a lot of people pissed off at me, is abortions. Many of the next generation killers aren't being born. Now don't get angry at me, I'm a Catholic and don't believe in abortion, I'm just telling you what I’ve read. And this next one heard from a black female Cultural Anthropologist on Oprah and on at least one other show, and that is that more and more black women are choosing non-black men as mates. Again, don't go getting pissed off at me, I'm just telling you what I heard. The rational cited, by this PhD, was that just like any other human on earth, black women just like white or brown women, want a mate that will take care of them, and they want to be mothers. Women want to have babies with the best male or "Alpha" male to insure survival of the babies. And bottom line is, black men are killing each other at such a rapid rate, or way too many of them are locked up, and/ or way too many of them are unemployed or under employed. And the kicker is that the ones that are successful are looking for non-black female partners. Google it if you don't believe me. I'm not saying that because I heard it on Oprah it's true, I'm just presenting some of the reasons I’ve heard of to explain why Gary has fallen to number 20.

My sentiments exactly, Derrick. I could'nt have said it better.

Kevin Jackson, thank you for telling us the truth, finally, somone has come along and told us the truth. Don't I feel dumb. All this time I thought that all of those things I've read in the papers about Gary were true. I guess my high school friend wasn't murdered and dumped in an abondonded 5th avenue apartment in 09, and my elderly neighbor wasn't butchered in her own home several years ago. And the best part is that three family friends were not murdered execution style about 100 yards from the Village on Grant street. Those were just stories posted by internet idiots. In this case, Gary Post idiots because it was in the papers. And channel 9 idiots becasue it was on TV too.

Kevin walks around and no one bothers him so don't believe the internet idiots. Now how stupid is that? I can see why your neighbors moved away from you. Hey Kevin, I've had two tours in Iraq and never came close to being shot. So I guess all of that talk about a war going on is just something the internet idiots posted to get everyone excited, huh?

You went away to college and moved back to a city that has no opprotunities for employment? And you have the nerve to call someone else an idiot? Unless of course you did't graduate from college, because short of a degree in basket weaving or in black studies, your degree should have helped you land a job somewhere. Don't tell me, you came back to give something back? Right? Why don't you and Michelle P stay off of this web site and go do something useful with yourselves.

My family was the second black family to move into our block in the midtown area. Within two years, all the white neighbors had left or put their homes up for sale. That wasnt because crime. Crime wasn't an issue at that point in time. Those that claim their families left because of crime in the 60s and early 70s arent being truthful. Their family left because they didnt want to live next to black families, and didnt like Black folks gaining power in politics in the city. And in later years, Gary's perception has always been worse than the realities, often perpetuated by internet idiots. The City Methodist Church is right behind the Genesis Towers which is now a Seniors Building. The Seniors are sitting outside of it now as I type. No one is getting robbed. Across the street of the church is a Charter Academy for elementary age kids. They aren't being abducted. On the next block south of the Church is a new development of single family homes and duplexes. In the midtown area, which includes downtown, I've never heard gunshots, nor police sirens speeding to a crime scene. My 70 year old mother enjoys walking to the Grocery store on 10th and Broadway. Now, I am not trying to paint Gary as the Garden spot of the state. It is by no means that. In fact, the whole state sucks. For some reason, people love to dump on Gary. The people here work hard, if they have a job, and love their city, but can never seem to get out the hole its in. So to understand Gary, you have to understand its history of politics, crime, drugs, racism, corruptions, and economics.

I am just amazed of the horror stories people post. I am from Gary. Born here, moved away after college and have moved back. I walk everywhere I need to go .... day and night. I've walked downtain and other areas with my camera taking photos. No one has bothered me. No one has attacked me. My 80 something year old father regular takes long walks for his exercise. No one bothers him. I have been in the Methodist Church daytime and evening to look inside. I live in the midtown area of Gary, walking distance of what was downtown. "Victor's" advice of carrying a shotgun to protect yourself is just RIDICULOUS. Gary is a manufacturing town that was hit hard and never recovered from the lay offs in the steel, auto industry and white flight. It IS NOT Murder capital. It is actually number 20 according to the last data. Gary AND Lake country area BLUE areas in a RED State. Indiana has a 1% property tax cap. The is the source of Gary's income. There is no county or city tax to bring income. Gary is the poor city. The people here don't make much money. The state wishes Gary to go into financial default, so that they can get control of the Gary Airport, The Casinos, and The Lakefront. Now I'm not saying there is no crime in Gary. But its no where near the horror stories idiots post on the net. If you check the statistics, Gary's crime has continually gone down every year. Visitors came from all over the world DAY AND NIGHT to visit Michael Jackson's birth home when he died. NOT ONE incident occurred of someone being bothered, assaulted, robbed, raped or the like. They whole NW Indiana area, is the garbage dump of Chicago. The dumps are here that has all the afluent areas' garbage, the mills are here that built Chicago. The racism still exists from Gary elected its first black mayor in '69. So if you want to come to Gary come. Be alert as you would anywhere.. but dont believe the internet idiots ....

Michelle P. What the heck are you talking about? New construction going on, where, in the UAE? I see nothing being revived or new structures going up in Gary. And if you fear for your life in places like Crown Point, then your an idiot for going there. You sure as heck weren't born and raised there and I doubt you have family in this place which is so dangerous for black people. Or could it be that you have no choice but to leave Gary if you want anything other than a lotto ticket, gasoline and booze? I know that we're all GOD's children so what exactly are you trying to say? Because we are all GOD's children we have nothing to fear. Tell it to yourself, you’re the one "in fear for my life as a black person." People in all of those places you mentioned still leave their doors unlocked or at least can if they choose to. Try doing that in Gary or Merriville for that matter. In this day and age just like in the old days, people ran for their lives if they could afford it, if their lives and the lives of their children were in danger. Don't sit there and defend Gary because you have no other choice but to live there. You know darn well that if tonight, (GOD forbid) you woke up to find someone breaking into your house, it wouldn't be people from Crown Point, Valpo, Hebron, DeMotte and further east and south in Indiana. They'd be people from Gary and more than likely black people. Your people, other children of GOD, who's mama's made sure they were in church every Sunday and who would never talk back to their mama's might, if you're lucky, only beat you up and leave you for dead. I've been in Gary all of my life and you know and I know what happens when they get into your house. You keep telling yourself it's a skin color thing that makes people leave Gary. That's as stupid as saying "I don't mind that guy raping my wife because he's white." Or as stupid as thinking OJ Simpson had nothing to do with his wife's murder.

The pictures I see here of Gary are of a time when we did not seem to appreciate architecture and that is a shame. But is not a true depiction of Gary. There are places that are being revived and new structures going up. It is sad that in this day and age people feel that they have to flee an area because of the color of ones skin. We must all realize we are all God's children. For the people who think there is a weird spirit over Gary, you need to pray, like I do when I go to places like Crown Point, Valpo, Hebron, DeMotte and further east and south in Indiana. I fear for my life as a black person in those areas just as you do in Gary. Isn't this sad, but true. Maybe if we could all learn that what most people want is to live decent lives, have good jobs and take care of their families and homes we would all be better citizens.

This is going to sound like a real weird question, but does anyone else out there think that Northwest Indiana is a creepy place. What I mean by this, is; have any of you ever experienced spooky stuff? I've been literally around the world at least twice and on occasion I've had a creepy feeling but that had more to do with not being familiar with the place. But the Gary/Merriville area has a lot of unnatural stuff going on and always has. About 3 years ago I went along with a friend on a ghost tour of the Alamo and found it extremely boring. After the tour I engaged the tour guide in conversation and without him knowing I was from Gary, I asked him where he and his ghost hunting group would say is the most haunted place they'd ever been. And they looked at each other and said, "Hammond Indiana!" What they told me was that someone from Hammond contacted a group from the university and they in turn called in this bunch to document what they were seeing. Long story short, this guy told me that they have never heard of so much paranormal activity as we have in Gary/ Hammond. They attribute all of the activity to the Indiana Lime Stone. Odd, but that's what they said. I will admit, I have seen some scary things in places like Iraq and Afghanistan but nothing like I've seen in Gary and in Merriville. Things that will make you grow old. And I'm not talking about people with knives or guns.

Take plenty of pictures and don't go alone. If you notice that any of the locals are watching you, don't go into a building, or you will have company real soon. Best bet is to go between the hours of 0900 and 1400 (2 pm). Most of the cave dwellers will be awake by then and out forging for food and junk. After 1400 people have begun seeking places to hide for what ever it is they plan to do. Never do this on a weekend or during the summer or any thing that the kids are not in school. Gary is safest when school is in session. Believe me, you'd be better off running into two adult escaped convicts than you would running into a small group of teenagers ditching school. Make sure you know the address of the building you're going into, and have a cell phone with you.

Dave, I'll check out the East 900 block next week and let you know what I see there! PJ

PJ-Valpo,

Thanks for getting back to me. I've carefully checked the picture of the Aurelia Building (I've successfully posted it on www.flickr.com --- this old dog can still learn !!!) All of the addresses on the ground floor business do not indicate whether it's 900 block of E or W 5th Avenue. Since this picture was probably taken in the late 20's or early 30's, and because the building is quite large (3-story office bldg, (probably) granite block facade), I assume that it stands (or stood) in the main part of "downtown" --- of course, even that can change in 80 years.

Head on down there looks like fun, while your there grab a broom and clean sum of that sh*t up.

Mathias, there's a police station on west 5th Ave, in walking distance (or running distance!) of the downtown area and the buildings you'd like to explore. Still need to be extremely careful, though. I work in Gary and drive through downtown 5 days a week. Be careful, and good luck! PJ

hey thanks for the tips i appreciate . does anybody know what kind or how much local law enforcement is left in the area??? tryin to get an idead for what kinda of chance i run of getting caught. oh and what kind of gear do i need just a crowbar and rope or should i be bring a ladder or something to climb with??? thanks again

Hi Mathias, Please don't let the post from Victor discourage you. I can't say he's entirely wrong. Certainly common sense and caution should be used. But I have poked through many of Gary's abandoned downtown buildings without any harm. They are worth seeing.

Best advice I can give you is either don't do it at all, take more than ten other people with you, or bring along a pump shot gun with at least 10 rounds. Long story short, it's an extremely dangerous thing to do in that city. Your chances of surviving a walk down broadway on a sunny morning in plain few of everyone is at best 50/50, and you want to go into vacant buildings? Just keep in mind, that there are people in those buildings and if you're lucky all you'll run into are some crack heads and bums. I share you're love for exploration but some cities could be very dangerous. One more tip, if you encounter anything that smells like one week old road kill, don't look for the source, just get the hell out of there.

geuss i should have posted my email if i expect a response its iiad1013@hotmail.com thanks everyone

I'm from peoria illinois and a buddy and me are extremely interested in exploring some of the abandon buildings in gary indianna. we are both into photography in our own way so these places make us very excited. anyway on to the point i'm relativly new to this urban exploring idea and so i haven't had a lot of experience so i am looking for some tips or info on best ways to get into some of the buildings in gary indianna really interested in the theaters and the church so if anybody could hit me at my email and give me any advice or tips i would be extremely thankful

Dave, was that the 900 block east or west on 5th Ave? Probably west, but I thought I'd ask. I drive on 5th every weekday, going to and from work. I'll try to remember sometime to look in that block for a building like you describe. I've noticed that lots of the buildings have names on them, but I've never noticed Aurelia among them. The building may be long gone, but some of the old originals still stand on west 5th. I'll check it out for you! (Note to self!) PJ

Does anyone have any information on "The Aurelia Building"? An old photo that I have shows that the building stood in the 900 block of 5th Avenue. Ground floor storefronts include the Gary Branch of the Chicago Motor Club AAA, North Side Tailors, Yan Kee Laundry, Jim's Barber Shop, and 5th Avenue Restaurant. This building was built by my grandfather, Teofil Grabowski (Hobart, IN), in the late 1920's and named after his daughter Aurelia. Contact dmconley@email.com. Thanks

I was born in 56 and raised in Gary, Went to Miller grade school, St. Marys and than Wirt High School (graduated in 75) as soon as Hatcher became mayor things in Gary started to turn for the worst. My family owned a business, a business that dealt with the court system, and police. When the major stores started to pull out that was the beginning of the end of Gary, There was major federal funds poured into Gary and most of it disappeared in to the pockets of the people running the city. Stores left because of major crimes and the drug dealers (Family street gang). Gary at one time was a city to go shopping downtown, like Chicago. The beach was the place to hangout. As kids we were able to stay outside without fear until it got dark. We used to keep our doors unlocked. Maybe if all parents kept track of there kids, made them come in when it gets dark the younger generation would not be out getting into trouble, comitting crimes.

Well JohnnyT if children are being emotionally abused by horrible humilation, I feel I should report it make people aware.

Allie
Not to be prying, but would you mind telling me your mom's age and maiden last name. I know a lot of people from Chesterton from the mid 40's

Rick, Yes, I clearly remember the Lighthouse at the end of Tri City Shopping Plaza. My parents went a few times. I also remember Ember's Tap right behind the Lighthouse on Clark Rd. I did not graduate from Gary Edison, as the school moved to West Side after the 66-67 year.

My mom grew up in a small town not far from Gary, Chesterton. I've been to the part of town that's not so derelict, but she wouldn't let me near the ruins. Such a shame, really. I think that's what first got me interested in urban exploration.

Hey, Barb! I knew you when......! My name's Pam, and I lived at 44th and Kentucky. BD 1954. Went to Riley, Bailly, Wallace. I remember you.

I was born in Gary in 1953 and have wonderful memories of growing up in Glen Park. When I was young, my friends and I would walk and bike everywhere with no fear of harm. My family moved to Sarasota, FL in 1970 and I remember the sale of our house being just about what my parents bought if for in 1957!! I used to catch the bus to downtown when I was 13 and go to Sears and other stores with my girlfriends. The Village Shopping Center (which my family built) was a place I frequented often. Just thinking about it has my mind going back to the "good ole days." Also, going to Marquette Beach was an adventure! Lew Wallace was integrated when I attended, and we kids seemed to get along just fine - a few racists - but all in all we seemed to all be friendly to one another. Gary was full of all diversities and to this day, I am grateful for the experience of being inclusive with everyone - it has given me insight, when other people who have been isolated from diversity may be prejudiced, to keep an open mind and that to believe that God created us all equal. I think I would be very sad to go back to Gary for a visit as it has been over 20 years since my return to my birthplace. I still root for the Cubbies!!

Wow. Bring up Gary Indiana, and all the know it all racists come out the woodwork, don't they ..

US Steel reported a 4th qtr 2009 loss of $267 million.

www.ryerson.com

Smart a**!!!! Like you're not almost as far over the hill as I am.

Hey Paul Hill, do you remember the Light House resturante at Tri City on 5th AVE? Did you graduate from Edison?

So you used to sing with Ripples and Waves. I knew those guys. Comment back we'll contact.

Well of course you remember San Remos!!!!!! You also remember the invention of the wheel! And fire!!!!!!

I remember San Remo's well. My grandparents used to take us there sometimes. I remember the violinist and recall a man playing the accordion there, too. And as a child, I was mesmerized by the aquarium. Fun times!

Greg, thanks for the info. I have been away from Gary since 1970. But still had a good time at San Remo's

Robert, San Remo has been closed for more than 20 years. I believe a fire destroyed it & the site was torn down.

Jan,
You are correct. It was San Remo's. There was a guy who used to play the violin there also. His name was Hime Madelin (sp) and there was a large fish tank also. Used to take my children there along with my mom and dad. It was a favorite place to hang out. The fried perch was the special. I don't know if it is still there or not. Will Google it and find out.

For Mike Kristoff- you asked about a restaurant on east Ridge Road that had a Mina Bird - I think that was San Remo's, a favorite of my parents. Also, I think I grew up around around the corner from you on 57th St. I was close friends with the Tournis'.

I was born in Gary, Indiana in 1955 and grew up there and left iin 1985.

I lived as a child on 26th and Adams Street where I attended Douglas Elementery, Beckman Jr. High, Roosevelt High, until we moved in 1969 to 7th and Kentucky St. where I attended Emerson High.

In the 60s as a child I had great friends and was able to play outside until the strteet lights came on playing games like 27, It and other games while trying not to get bitten by Mosqitoes.

Back then we had a choice of going to the Palice, The State or The Roosevelt Theaters to see movies. There were lots of black businesses and two of my favorite places to eat was Coney Island on 25 and Lee's Chicken Shack on 23rd and Broadway. We went swimming in the summer time at Gleason Park Swimming Pool but enough of fun memories and to the subject of this peace.

When Mayor Hatcher was elected Mayor of Gary, Indiana, things began to change. All of the major department stores downtown began to move out one by one. Sears, Goldblachs, J.C. Pennys just to name a few. People began to strugle more in the 70's and U.S. Steel started laying off more and more each year. Some can say it was because of updating to a more computer run system and some may say because the use European Steel being used but Gary, Indiana once a great city with a great downtown and thriving school system was dying right before our eyes.

Even though some programs were implemented to help slow down the decay, with out help or State and or Federal assistance the people of Gary were unable to stop the inevitable.

I could blame and point fingers but it is one thing that no one could ever take, the great history of a great city.

I remember singing in Gary with such acts as RIPPLE AND WAVES and SCC and watching The Jackson 5 perform at Beckman Joinor High School assemblies and going to school with Jermane. I also remember some great teachers such as Ms. Marshall, Mr. Deloney, Ms. Jackson all taught at Martin Luther King Jr. High. Because of their gift fo teaching I was able to follow my dream in music and also became a Published Author.

I love Gary, Indiana and tell my Grand-children about Gary every chance I get. I miss being there the way it used to be and hope one day that she will rise into the great city by the lake as she once was.

Brunswick Little League
Tri City Shopping
Sokits Bakery
Pfister's Barbershop (5th Avenue)
Dog n Suds
Brunswick Presbyterian Church
Teachers at Brunwick Elem
Mr. Spradley
Mrs. Downs
Miss Feather
Teachers at Gary Edison
Mrs. SMith
Mr. Ducree
Tivoli Pizza
The Sunny Spot

Sherry it sounds to me that you've had a personal experience with your child urinating on themselves? If this is such a big problem, why hasn't it been reported in the news or at PTA meetings or even rumored? I think this is just a case of your kid wetting themselves and you trying to get something out of the school board or the city and you want us to jump on the band wagon when it isn't a problem at all. I am fully aware of the routine in most classrooms, there are scheduled bathroom times, but very often children would rather use their time to play and clown around and then ask to use classroom time for bathroom breaks. I used to do it all the time myself. If this isn’t corrected, many of these kids carry this routine to their adult lives when they use work hours to take care of personal business but fell that it shouldn’t count against their lunch time. The best I’ve seen are people taking their “breaks” at the beginning of their shifts thus allowing them to be late for work repeatedly. Imagine what one teacher with an already oversized classroom goes through when only one student needs to go to the bathroom? If the bathroom is in the classroom that's one thing but typically it includes a hallway pass and then the teacher is liable for what the kids does or what happens to the kid when they are out of the teacher's reach and view. More than often, the teacher ends up having to ask another teacher to watch his or her classroom while they go and find the kid who almost always is found making faces at other students outside of their classrooms.

www.eurweb.com

Graduate of Froebel in the 50's and educator in the Gary school system for 30 years. Touched many lives, mine included.

I lived in Gary for six years beginning in 1986 and marveled at the fact that all of these buildings, and more, had just been left to fall to pieces. Some real treasures among the ruins. I do understand though that times and fortunes change and that politics ( of ALL sorts ), and economics played a significant role in the downward slide of the city.

At the time of the original conversation it was suggested that Gary's demise was solely the result of Gary being left being a majority "Black" city. One of the individuals brought up Hurricane Katrina up as further proof that the only thing that African American's can do is rob, run down, and kill one another.

My response, and I will admit, was driven by outrage and anger. I am from Gary and not all of ANY RACE gets the credit for it's accension nor the blame for it's demise. Like wise the same about New Orleans. Helping and rebuilding is infinitely harder to do than laying fault. I'm proud of Gary, always have been and always will. I don't care about the race of a person in need only if I can help when needed.

My sentiments, exactly. This has absolutely nothing to do with Gary. I think he enjoys reading his commentary. OK Winston. And the point is?

And your posting has WHAT to do with Gary?

I haven't left a post here for some time. In fact one the last occasions was in reference to a racially biased viewpoint of the people of New Orleans during Katrina. My last comment at that time was not posted due to the nature of the subject. I was admittedly angry as hell. Well, recently news has come out about the very incident I was refering to. So I hope this posting along with the story will be posted here. I'm not looking to make anyone the bad guy but I refuse to sit back and let others pretend that "their kind" is the problem. I worked that hurricane and saw the devistation up close. It allowed the worst in alot of people to surface. This story is from the Huffington Post. I'm sure there are other sources by now.

NEW ORLEANS — A former New Orleans police officer told federal authorities he saw a fellow officer shoot and kick unarmed, wounded civilians in a deadly incident on a bridge in Hurricane Katrina's aftermath, marking the first time an officer has provided federal authorities with an eyewitness account of the events.

The former officer, Michael Hunter, pleaded guilty Wednesday to helping cover up the shootings on the Danziger Bridge less than a week after the August 2005 storm.

A court filing Wednesday that describes Hunter's account of the shootings contradicts a police report that said civilians shot at officers before the police opened fire, killing two people and wounding four others.

Seeing no danger to officers, Hunter says he shouted "Cease fire!" after an unidentified sergeant with an assault rifle and other officers opened fire on a group of unarmed civilians who took cover behind a concrete barrier on the bridge.

After they stopped firing, Hunter says he saw several civilians who appeared to be unarmed, injured and subdued.

"(The sergeant) suddenly leaned over the concrete barrier, held out his assault rifle, and, in a sweeping motion, fired repeatedly at the civilians lying wounded on the ground," the filing says. "The civilians were not trying to escape and were not doing anything that could be perceived as a threat."

Moments later, Hunter saw two men later identified as Lance Madison and his 40-year-old mentally disabled brother, Ronald, running away near the bottom of the bridge.

Hunter's statement said an unidentified officer shot Ronald Madison in the back with a shotgun.

"As Ronald Madison lay dying on the pavement, (the sergeant) ran down the bridge toward Ronald and asked an officer if Ronald was 'one of them.' When the officer replied in the affirmative, (the sergeant) began kicking or stomping Ronald Madison repeatedly with his foot," the filing states

Madison and James Brissette, 19, were killed by police.

U.S. District Judge Sarah Vance said Hunter participated in a "blatant and systematic perversion of justice" and shouldn't be seen as a "hero" for taking responsibility.

"I don't think you can listen to this account without being sickened by the raw brutality of the shootings and the craven lawlessness of the cover-up," she said.

Hunter, 33, of Slidell, faces a maximum sentence of eight years in prison following his guilty plea to one count of conspiring to obstruct justice and one count of misprision of a felony. His sentencing is scheduled for June 30.

Dr. Romell Madison, one of Ronald's brothers, said he didn't know that police kicked his dying brother until he heard a prosecutor read the filing aloud in court.

"The cruelty that my brothers had to endure and the other victims had to endure was heartbreaking," he said.

Hunter's attorney, Townsend M. Myers, said in an emailed statement that his client made "a series of very bad decisions related to what happened on the Danziger Bridge, and what he did in the aftermath of those events. He accepts full responsibility for his bad decisions, and for their consequences."

Two other former officers have pleaded guilty to helping cover up the fact that police shot unarmed people.

Less than a week after the Aug. 29, 2005 hurricane, Hunter drove several officers in a rental truck to the Danziger Bridge, where police shot and killed two people and wounded four others. Hunter allegedly provided a false account of the shootings when he testified before a state grand jury in 2006.

Former Lt. Michael Lohmann and Jeffrey Lehrmann, a former detective, have pleaded guilty to participating in the cover-up, which included a planted gun, phony witnesses and falsified reports.

Mike Kristoff
The name is familiar, but I graduated from Emerson in 1948.

Does anyone know the whereabouts of these people from the Glen Park days of 1960s/1970s? email me privately at cegrubb at cox dot net

Debbie Roberts (lived around 45th and Virginia) Lew Wallace 1975
Phil and Mike Demitre (52nd and Carolina)
Julie Willfond (Willifond) (around 49th and Georgia)
The Wire brothers (Mike/Steve)
Fred Benich
James Moman
Pete Kurowsky
John Gordon (Sr and Jr)
Jeff Hurst
George Devyak

I may have more names later. Thanks in advance!

Robert Combs - Did you know Delores Klimaszewski? She would have graduated Emerson in '47 too.

Greg and Chuck - Me too! I remember all of those places you listed. I lived several blocks from Scarsdale Pharmacy and used to walk there all the time. Also, between the pharmacy and the Dog 'N Suds on GA St. was Stanley's IGA. Remember that? We used to go there a lot. There's still a little store in that spot.

Chuck, Those are a few of my favorite things also. But here are a few others I remember as favorites:

The Clock on Broadway
Salvatorian Fathers Monestary
The South Shore to Chicago
Goldblatts
Aladdins
Lew Wallace Hornets
49th Ave Bowling alley
Dudash Meats
Piataks Meats
Broadway Dodge
Lincoln Carryouts
Scarsdale Pharmacy

Dog n' Suds
Koney King
Brahms Sporting Goods
Kiddie Land
Broadway Miniature Golf
Pete n' Snooks
Flamingo
Ted's Chatterbox
Gleason Park Golf Course
Gilroy Stadium
The Village
Dr. Hodurski
Glen Park Bakery

Anybody on here ever have Miss Hay as their first grade teacher at Emerson? Would've been in about mid 1950s to early 1970s. She's my aunt. Taught in Gary for about 40 years; now enjoying reitrement.

Greg, Thank you for your last two posts.

One more thing, Landlord. It irks the hell out of me that these people continue to get away with abusing the system. I take responsibility for my writings and they should take responsibility for their ignorance.

If this is an indication of the calibur of teacher that exists in the Gary school system, God help them all. You say this is done or allowed to "control" the children? I'd fire every one of those S.O.B.'s that allowed this to happen. You say you know of this? If so, your just as guilty as the teachers allowing this to happen. I for one do not believe this is so.

And Landlord, I agree with your statements. But maybe if the housing for these "welfare loving women" were not so available to these "factories", just maybe the problem wouldn't be so profane. Then again, as you said, they are of the impression that that the hard working taxpayers of Lake County and government will keep them fed and housed. It's ignorant mentality of these people that gives the blacks a bad view in the eye of the white population. How long must we continue to support the population that expects us to support them?

And our comments about how great Gary was, are real life experiences that we who contribute to this site experienced. Maybe you as a slum lord witnessed a different side of Gary. We from Glen Park saw and lived in a time of our lives that made Gary a part of us and we were proud of that. We had teachers that cared and parents that were involved with the system. I'm sure that same quality of teacher still exists. But he/she must be at least 80 years old if still teaching in Gary.

There has been a practice in gary, in schools of teachers as well as substitue teachers forcing children into forced in class urination. I know of this. Children being forced to urinate in themselves in front of the entire class or kids beihng force to urinate on teh floor or in desks in class. You as parents can stop this. If you would like to address this please call 219-881-5481 or 219-881-5458 (gary community schools) to let them know that if this is going on you will not put up with it. This is done to keep control of children. I understabd that but control should be done in a way that is not humiliating. If they don't have the intelligence to keep control in a way that does not emotionally hurt children very very badly then they should not work for a school system.

The comments of how great Gary was seems strange to me. The city has looked the same all my life. I was raised in the filthy town. I come from a family who has always provided housing for the welfare and township loving women who are under the impression that the hard working tax payers should provide them with food and shelter. Two maybe three generations of women who have put themselves in a bad state. 2010 and you mean to tell me that IUN-Purdue-Ivy Tech all within walking distance don't offer even to most mentally challenged people a way to truely survive. Its almost 4:30 am and i wonder which one of my doors is kicked in? Which Section 8 welfare women will cuss me because they have made another bad choice of baby daddy? The city on the move? Exit I-65 South/Broadway. Don't forget to look to your left at the Sheraton Hotel.Drive straight all the way to 53rd. On the move? To where,how when ,with what? Midwest dumping ground for the POOR...........

I was born and raised in Gary, Indiana. At one time yes there was crime...but nothing like today. There was respect for the old folks and respect for the police. Thee were stores downtown. Fields, Gordons, Sears etc. It was safe to play outside. We had yards that were cut. We lived in Marshalltown, poor yet proud of what little we had. Folks worked, they did not steal nor kill to survive. We went to church. We had fights with fist, not guns or knives. Yes we moved away for a better life so many did not and so many have died. So many of my class mates are no longer around, they were killed attempting to just live in a place of death. Gary is not about white or black, it is about a people who struggle against the odds. People going to church getting raped and robbed. Why? Why must they suffer? Bodies of the young and old found laying around in the dirt the streets, a mere mention and it is all over. Gary is war. Only the strong survive.

naw man, it is NOT a ghost town,. ghosts are white. So negative.

Where did you live Bruce? I too was Riley Bailey and Lew Wallace. I lived at 4036 Indiana St. EGP

1954... 1973... Riley, Bailly, Lew Wallace... Gary, city on the move... lost to our memories.

As I'm sitting here pondering how to reply to your very well written observation, I too, as does Danny agree with you, somewhat. Conditioning does start at home with loving parents. But the conditioning aspect also comes from the school system. Unless a child is willing to learn from the teacher, he will not develop into a person of respect. This conditioning you speak of occurs throughout life. Not just in the home, but in the classroom and beyond. The cycles you speak of are not necessarily correct in my thinking. As i stated previously, my wife's grandfather was a full blooded Apache Indian. He saw discrimination first hand. He saw the hatred towards the American Indian. But he taught his children right from wrong, good from bad. There was no "cycle" to his teachings. My grandparents came to America from Italy. They too saw the discrimination towards them but taught their children right from wrong, good from bad. My point is this: Parents are bad because they don't want to change. They will always blame the other person for his/her problems. Bad parenting is inherted? I don't think so. Danny Malone said it best. "Without accountability, children have no motivation to improve themselves".

Maybe we should bring back the draft. If this is what will "condition our youth" I'm all for it. Military service teaches responsibility and accountability. It makes men out of boys (no pun intended). Then again, I'm so glad there is no draft because my son does not have to experience war, unless it is his own choosing.