Steubenville Photo Expedition - Part 2

I noticed a remarkable absence of pedestrians (shoppers) on the sidewalks.

Moonson posted:

I noticed a remarkable absence of pedestrians (shoppers) on the sidewalks.

Frank, hometown boy "Dino" (Dean Martin) must have been back in town giving a free concert.

Ron

Moonson posted:

I noticed a remarkable absence of pedestrians (shoppers) on the sidewalks.

You mean in comparison to this (1933 Labor Day Parade)?

Or this (in the 1950s)?

Yeah, I'd say so. 

The US 22 by-pass effectively killed downtown Steubenville, assisted by crime, drugs, and general urban decay.  There was a visible and strong police presence when we visited.  A police cruiser must have passed me at least 4 times as I walked down Market snapping photos.  I did see a few pedestrians, but they weren't shoppers.

George

PRRronbh posted:

Moonson posted:

I noticed a remarkable absence of pedestrians (shoppers) on the sidewalks.

Frank, hometown boy "Dino" (Dean Martin) must have been back in town giving a free concert.

Ron

I think one of the other hometown boys, Jimmy "The Greek", would give you some pretty good odds on that actually happening.  LOL

George

G3750 posted:

Moonson posted:

I noticed a remarkable absence of pedestrians (shoppers) on the sidewalks.

You mean in comparison to this (1933 Labor Day Parade)?

Or this (in the 1950s)?

Yeah, I'd say so. 

The US 22 by-pass effectively killed downtown Steubenville, assisted by crime, drugs, and general urban decay.  There was a visible and strong police presence when we visited.  A police cruiser must have passed me at least 4 times as I walked down Market snapping photos.  I did see a few pedestrians, but they weren't shoppers.

George

 

Sad isn't it? People ask how did I end up in Georgia and I am from Ohio...well there you have it! I can honestly remember a time when I considered living in the area.

The city also used to have a "Fiesta" downtown where vendors, rides, etc. used to set up. This was one of the last highlights and events I can remember this city of "murals and parking lots" having. It would bring people from all over Jefferson county and that part of the tri-state area into town. 

G3750 posted:

As promised, here is part 2 of my photo tour of downtown Steubenville, Ohio.

When we left off, we were proceeding east (towards the river) down Market Street and had reached 4th Street.  Here's a satellite view of downtown Steubenville that may provide some orientation. 

Across 4th Street from McCrory's is Richmond Brothers, a mens clothing store. The curved front is unique.

Across Market Street from Richmond Brothers is the Sinclair Building.  This is how the building has looked as far back as I can remember (1960s).  The hideous metallic band around floors 2-3 might be older than I suspect.  I attended an NMRA clinic given by the owner of City Classics (an HO structures company) a few years back.  He noted that these "improvements" or "modernizations" to late 1800's vintage buildings were the result of stimulus money given out by the US government during the Great Depression.  So these changes might have come about in the 1930s, not the 1950s.  And they were "make work" types of things for businesses.

This poster shows the Sinclair Building as it was originally constructed.  Someone has conveniently Photoshopped Dean Martin standing in the entrance. 

The cornice detail on the Sinclair Building is simply stunning!

Across 4th Street from the Sinclair Building is the First National Bank & Trust Building. 

 

This photo (taken from Market Street) shows the Turnbull Serrati Building in the foreground, with the First National Bank & Trust behind it, and the Sinclair Building beyond it.  In a photo I took back in the early 2000s, the Turnbull Serrati Building sported a rose colored stone facing with only stories 1 & 2 being "modernized" (hideously, too).  In this photo, the upper stories appear to have been refinished in brick (still hideous).

This is taken on North 4th Street.  That's the First National Bank & Trust Building to the left.  Based on earlier photographs I've seen, that red brick building on the left used to be twice as wide or another building existed to the left.  Something was knocked down to create a parking lot for the First National Bank.  The center structure is the Gottman Building and bears a date of 1886.

 

So now we come to infamous Water Street, the red light district.  Off camera to the left is the Jefferson County Prison (how appropriate ).  We are looking northeast.  Front to back:  Water Street, the River Route, Ohio River, and the West Virginia hills on the other side.

Finally, here is a photo of the Market Street Bridge taken from Water Street.  This automobile bridge has a grate floor and is over 100 years old.  At one point in its past, it carried trolley traffic as well.

Hope you enjoyed the photo tour!

As usual, your comments and questions are encouraged.  I hope to have some more photos from this area soon.

George

I'm still not sure if I like the new colors of the Market Street Bridge. It also is lighted now. I remember when it was completely silver. I used to walk it as a boy and you could look on the roadbed and see straight down to the river. That was adventurous to me, back then. But the real excitement was walking the old PRR R.R. bridge further north in the city. That mammoth was intimidation at its highest.

luvindemtrains posted:

G3750 posted:

Moonson posted:

I noticed a remarkable absence of pedestrians (shoppers) on the sidewalks.

You mean in comparison to this (1933 Labor Day Parade)?

Or this (in the 1950s)?

Yeah, I'd say so. 

The US 22 by-pass effectively killed downtown Steubenville, assisted by crime, drugs, and general urban decay.  There was a visible and strong police presence when we visited.  A police cruiser must have passed me at least 4 times as I walked down Market snapping photos.  I did see a few pedestrians, but they weren't shoppers.

George

 

Sad isn't it? People ask how did I end up in Georgia and I am from Ohio...well there you have it! I can honestly remember a time when I considered living in the area.

The city also used to have a "Fiesta" downtown where vendors, rides, etc. used to set up. This was one of the last highlights and events I can remember this city of "murals and parking lots" having. It would bring people from all over Jefferson county and that part of the tri-state area into town. 

The same sad deterioration has happened to my McKeesport, PA, too. The steel mill - National Tube - left. This is the "Before-

and After..

They took down some of the ugly facades on old buildings in Butler to reveal some simple but nice architecture.  Other buildings still have them.  Butler was never as big as Steubenville or McKeesport, but still isn't doing too bad, since only Pullman Standard pulled up stakes but Armco (AK Steel) is still here.  I grew up in rural Butler County 17 miles from town, so I never spent much time here until I was an adult.  My wife grew up in Butler.  I was more at home in a couple small towns with downtowns that consisted of one block, zero traffic lights.  

Glad to see Dino coming out of the building, George!!  I din't know Jimmy the Greek was also from Steubenville.

Mark Boyce posted:

They took down some of the ugly facades on old buildings in Butler to reveal some simple but nice architecture.  Other buildings still have them.  Butler was never as big as Steubenville or McKeesport, but still isn't doing too bad, since only Pullman Standard pulled up stakes but Armco (AK Steel) is still here.  I grew up in rural Butler County 17 miles from town, so I never spent much time here until I was an adult.  My wife grew up in Butler.  I was more at home in a couple small towns with downtowns that consisted of one block, zero traffic lights.  

Glad to see Dino coming out of the building, George!!  I din't know Jimmy the Greek was also from Steubenville.

Yeah, Butler has some nice buildings!  Judy and I were through there just about a week ago.

The other famous person from Steubenville was Edwin Stanton, Lincoln's Secretary of War.

George

Moonson posted:

luvindemtrains posted:

G3750 posted:

Moonson posted:

I noticed a remarkable absence of pedestrians (shoppers) on the sidewalks.

You mean in comparison to this (1933 Labor Day Parade)?

Or this (in the 1950s)?

Yeah, I'd say so. 

The US 22 by-pass effectively killed downtown Steubenville, assisted by crime, drugs, and general urban decay.  There was a visible and strong police presence when we visited.  A police cruiser must have passed me at least 4 times as I walked down Market snapping photos.  I did see a few pedestrians, but they weren't shoppers.

George

 

Sad isn't it? People ask how did I end up in Georgia and I am from Ohio...well there you have it! I can honestly remember a time when I considered living in the area.

The city also used to have a "Fiesta" downtown where vendors, rides, etc. used to set up. This was one of the last highlights and events I can remember this city of "murals and parking lots" having. It would bring people from all over Jefferson county and that part of the tri-state area into town. 

The same sad deterioration has happened to my McKeesport, PA, too. The steel mill - National Tube - left. This is the "Before-

and After..

Sorry to see that McKeesport has gone through the same sad times.

George

Yes, Edwin Stanton!  Civil war era! I didn’t know that either!

luvindemtrains posted:

I'm still not sure if I like the new colors of the Market Street Bridge. It also is lighted now. I remember when it was completely silver. I used to walk it as a boy and you could look on the roadbed and see straight down to the river. That was adventurous to me, back then. But the real excitement was walking the old PRR R.R. bridge further north in the city. That mammoth was intimidation at its highest.

Personally, I don't care for the color scheme, either.  It looked better in silver, IMO.

The ex-PRR bridge is magnificent, isn't it?  Ever climb up a truss?  (They have a handrail, but I wouldn't trust them or recommend this activity).  It's too dangerous.

George

G3750 posted:

Moonson posted:

I noticed a remarkable absence of pedestrians (shoppers) on the sidewalks.

The US 22 by-pass effectively killed downtown Steubenville, assisted by crime, drugs, and general urban decay.  There was a visible and strong police presence when we visited.  A police cruiser must have passed me at least 4 times as I walked down Market snapping photos.  I did see a few pedestrians, but they weren't shoppers.

George

 

I started working right outside of Steubenville in 1989 while they were building the 22 by-pass. The downtown at that time, although showing its age and decay, was still a pretty decent place to do a little shopping or go to lunch. Then, little-by-little you could see the rot really taking hold. By the time I retired four years ago I wouldn't even go downtown at all unless I had to. A co-worker, who grew up in Steubenville, had many stories to tell about running errands for the "ladies" who inhabited the houses on Water Street. He claimed that all the houses were connected for quick escapes when the law showed up! 

Joe Shipbaugh

every time I drive by this building, I wonder "what were they thinking?"

and the Market Street Bridge did look better all silver, but it looks great at night.

G3750 posted:

luvindemtrains posted:

I'm still not sure if I like the new colors of the Market Street Bridge. It also is lighted now. I remember when it was completely silver. I used to walk it as a boy and you could look on the roadbed and see straight down to the river. That was adventurous to me, back then. But the real excitement was walking the old PRR R.R. bridge further north in the city. That mammoth was intimidation at its highest.

Personally, I don't care for the color scheme, either.  It looked better in silver, IMO.

The ex-PRR bridge is magnificent, isn't it?  Ever climb up a truss?  (They have a handrail, but I wouldn't trust them or recommend this activity).  It's too dangerous.

George

I walked over it several times as a young boy and that was very dangerous and "scary". Especially, when a train would come through. The adrenaline was great though! I would never, however, try to climb the truss. 

joedaddy posted:

G3750 posted:

Moonson posted:

I noticed a remarkable absence of pedestrians (shoppers) on the sidewalks.

The US 22 by-pass effectively killed downtown Steubenville, assisted by crime, drugs, and general urban decay.  There was a visible and strong police presence when we visited.  A police cruiser must have passed me at least 4 times as I walked down Market snapping photos.  I did see a few pedestrians, but they weren't shoppers.

George

 

I started working right outside of Steubenville in 1989 while they were building the 22 by-pass. The downtown at that time, although showing its age and decay, was still a pretty decent place to do a little shopping or go to lunch. Then, little-by-little you could see the rot really taking hold. By the time I retired four years ago I wouldn't even go downtown at all unless I had to. A co-worker, who grew up in Steubenville, had many stories to tell about running errands for the "ladies" who inhabited the houses on Water Street. He claimed that all the houses were connected for quick escapes when the law showed up! 

Joe Shipbaugh

I just finished this book. 

https://www.amazon.com/Mobster...e-Ohio/dp/1626195676

I think you're right - the houses probably were connected.

Being a Weirton boy and not really venturing across the river just to "hang out" there, I had no idea Steubenville was that kind of town.  My father was probably aware of things - he knew Dino Crocetti (Dean Martin) and Jimmy "the Greek".

George

luvindemtrains posted:

G3750 posted:

luvindemtrains posted:

I'm still not sure if I like the new colors of the Market Street Bridge. It also is lighted now. I remember when it was completely silver. I used to walk it as a boy and you could look on the roadbed and see straight down to the river. That was adventurous to me, back then. But the real excitement was walking the old PRR R.R. bridge further north in the city. That mammoth was intimidation at its highest.

Personally, I don't care for the color scheme, either.  It looked better in silver, IMO.

The ex-PRR bridge is magnificent, isn't it?  Ever climb up a truss?  (They have a handrail, but I wouldn't trust them or recommend this activity).  It's too dangerous.

George

I walked over it several times as a young boy and that was very dangerous and "scary". Especially, when a train would come through. The adrenaline was great though! I would never, however, try to climb the truss. 

You don't want to try that?     

Me, neither.

George

maybe 30 years ago.....

G3750 posted:

joedaddy posted:

G3750 posted:

Moonson posted:

I noticed a remarkable absence of pedestrians (shoppers) on the sidewalks.

The US 22 by-pass effectively killed downtown Steubenville, assisted by crime, drugs, and general urban decay.  There was a visible and strong police presence when we visited.  A police cruiser must have passed me at least 4 times as I walked down Market snapping photos.  I did see a few pedestrians, but they weren't shoppers.

George

 

I started working right outside of Steubenville in 1989 while they were building the 22 by-pass. The downtown at that time, although showing its age and decay, was still a pretty decent place to do a little shopping or go to lunch. Then, little-by-little you could see the rot really taking hold. By the time I retired four years ago I wouldn't even go downtown at all unless I had to. A co-worker, who grew up in Steubenville, had many stories to tell about running errands for the "ladies" who inhabited the houses on Water Street. He claimed that all the houses were connected for quick escapes when the law showed up! 

Joe Shipbaugh

I just finished this book. 

https://www.amazon.com/Mobster...e-Ohio/dp/1626195676

I think you're right - the houses probably were connected.

Being a Weirton boy and not really venturing across the river just to "hang out" there, I had no idea Steubenville was that kind of town.  My father was probably aware of things - he knew Dino Crocetti (Dean Martin) and Jimmy "the Greek".

George

Just requested (actually wife did) the book referenced above from the local library.

I read "The Master Mechanic" by I. G. Broat a few years ago.  I have been told this book is based on actual people and events from Steubenville's checkered past.  

G3750 posted:

joedaddy posted:

G3750 posted:

Moonson posted:

I noticed a remarkable absence of pedestrians (shoppers) on the sidewalks.

The US 22 by-pass effectively killed downtown Steubenville, assisted by crime, drugs, and general urban decay.  There was a visible and strong police presence when we visited.  A police cruiser must have passed me at least 4 times as I walked down Market snapping photos.  I did see a few pedestrians, but they weren't shoppers.

George

 

I started working right outside of Steubenville in 1989 while they were building the 22 by-pass. The downtown at that time, although showing its age and decay, was still a pretty decent place to do a little shopping or go to lunch. Then, little-by-little you could see the rot really taking hold. By the time I retired four years ago I wouldn't even go downtown at all unless I had to. A co-worker, who grew up in Steubenville, had many stories to tell about running errands for the "ladies" who inhabited the houses on Water Street. He claimed that all the houses were connected for quick escapes when the law showed up! 

Joe Shipbaugh

I just finished this book. 

https://www.amazon.com/Mobster...e-Ohio/dp/1626195676

I think you're right - the houses probably were connected.

Being a Weirton boy and not really venturing across the river just to "hang out" there, I had no idea Steubenville was that kind of town.  My father was probably aware of things - he knew Dino Crocetti (Dean Martin) and Jimmy "the Greek".

George

Thanks for the link for that book. I placed a hold on it at the library. Steubenville does have a very colorful history. I live about 36 miles from there but still make frequent trips to my former place of employment and over to Weirton to ride my bike on the bike trail. There's a lot of PRR history along there!

Joe

G3750 posted:

luvindemtrains posted:

G3750 posted:

luvindemtrains posted:

I'm still not sure if I like the new colors of the Market Street Bridge. It also is lighted now. I remember when it was completely silver. I used to walk it as a boy and you could look on the roadbed and see straight down to the river. That was adventurous to me, back then. But the real excitement was walking the old PRR R.R. bridge further north in the city. That mammoth was intimidation at its highest.

Personally, I don't care for the color scheme, either.  It looked better in silver, IMO.

The ex-PRR bridge is magnificent, isn't it?  Ever climb up a truss?  (They have a handrail, but I wouldn't trust them or recommend this activity).  It's too dangerous.

George

I walked over it several times as a young boy and that was very dangerous and "scary". Especially, when a train would come through. The adrenaline was great though! I would never, however, try to climb the truss. 

You don't want to try that?     

Me, neither.

George

Yes straight up!  And the convenient hand rail!  Yikes!  I climbed microwave towers in my early twenties.  Ours had the cable down the middle of the ladder and you wore a harness with a dead man's latch that hooked on the cable.  40 years ago it still wasn't my choice; working for the power company I had no idea until one morning I was told to go with another guy to change light bulbs!  This bridge!  No thank you!!