Lost Gary, Indiana

Lost Series

by Jerry Davich, Christopher Meyers (Foreword)

A poster child for our nation's urban experimentation a century ago, Gary was forged with hype and hope, dreams and sweat, political agendas and tons of steel. The hardscrabble city attracted all kinds, from shady scoundrels and famous architects to hardworking immigrants and brilliant entrepreneurs. Boasting 180,000 residents at its peak, the booming melting pot eventually faded away under the afflictions of urban decay, racial unrest and political upheaval. Jerry Davich explores the remnants of Gary's glory days, from Union Station in ruins to City Methodist Church stripped of its soul. Revisit the Sheraton Hotel's demise, Emerson High School's hard lessons, Vee-Jay Records' last release and a devastated downtown filled only with façades and fond memories.

Genres: Nonfiction

131 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 18, 2015

Reviews

[Nickole H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super interesting. Gary used to be a booming city that people came to visit from states away for shopping and shows. It's sad that this city has gone from a bustling thriving city to one of the most dangerous, abandoned cities in the county.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This well-researched book stands as both a testament to Gary's history and an homage to its glory. It also functions as a eulogy of sorts, as it chronicles and laments the city's decay. This book gives its readers a tour of the city, explaining the histories of many abandoned and/or razed structures and providing backgrounds of numerous Gary celebrities. The book contains many photographs throughout as well.

Davich does a fantastic job of explaining not only what happened but why. He tells of individuals and civic institutions who failed to strengthen and revitalize Gary's downtown. He explains different events that, in their turn, all contributed to Gary's current problems. He unflinchingly portrays the worst aspects of the city, and parts of this book are very sad and difficult to read. However, he also has a great deal to say about Gary's greatest asset—the city's youth. Davich is by no means an optimist; his melancholy foray into Gary's tragedy makes for a bleak reading experience. However, this same realism adds a great deal of credibility to his outlook on the possibility of a brighter future.

This book gives me hope. It was published recently, in 2015, and already its cover is outdated. Gary's Union Station is still falling apart, and it is still closed. But the city has taken pains to own its history, and the community has come together to improve on many of the abandoned structures. The Station, for example, now displays graffiti-inspired art on the front and side. It's a city project, not vandalism. The walk around the side of the building is paved, and motion-activated lights will be added (if they haven't been already). The Methodist Church is still the nine-story ruin depicted here, but the city is working to stabilize the structure and use it as an urban garden. Davich describes how the public is able to access and vandalize these places at will, but that is no longer the case. The city now requires permits for visitors to explore their monuments, and they have been enforcing these rules. Davich speaks of vague plans for these structures—he even mentions the garden proposal—but he laments that there is no funding to move these plans forward. And there wasn't, at least not in 2015. But last summer, an announcement came through that Gary had received a $400,000 grant specifically so that they could move forward with these projects. Comparing Gary now to the Gary of just three years ago give me hope indeed.

[Nefertari · Rating 4 out of 5]

I live near this town, and this book captures the essence of Gary - the fond remembrance of what a great place it used to be, then the row of dominoes that fell, dooming it to its nickname of "Murder City." It is heartbreaking to see the before and after pictures, demonstrating the decay that years of neglect have wrought. Everyone has a theory on why Gary turned out this way. No one seems to have an answer on how to fix it.

[Jeff · Rating 2 out of 5]

After staying in Gary, IN recently I wanted a book to explain what I saw there. This was not the book unfortunately. The book listed a generic history of the city and then listed building after building that has been lost to history. It was a dull litany of a dark continual downturn to a once busy city. The same Sinatra visit was referenced three times and it felt like this was an editorial slip. The was not compelling nor did it offer any thoughts of how to turn things around. So, I’m still looking for the book that I need to explain what has happened there. If you want an extensive list of what is gone in Gary, this may be your book.

[Lake County Public Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartbreaking tribute to the Gary that was.

-- Sarah, Dyer-Schererville Branch

I did not grow up in the area, but I can't imagine going back to my hometown and finding it “gone”.

-- Kate, Merrillville Branch

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Supplemental textbook for Indiana History class.

An extremely short book on the rise and fall of the city of Gary, Indiana. The town started as a mill town and when the mills closed the city died because of it. Now it has one of the highest crime rates in the state as well as one of the highest poverty rates. It's a sad end for a city that had such promise at the beginning. I read this as a part of my Indiana history class this semester.

[Terry Fedosky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Both of my parents were born in Gary. They graduated from Horace Mann. They were married in City Methodist Church.

Dad grew up in Ambridge. My Grandpa worked at American Bridge. My maternal grandmother worked as Registrar at Methodist Hospital, until she retired.

This book had a lot of information and pictures. I wish it had been longer. I wish I had known he was writing this book. I have some pictures he could have used......

[ROBERT H HOLMAN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lost Gary

A great read, especially if you’re from Gary. I had a wonderful upbringing in “The Region” and wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. It was very sad to see the demise of the city, but I will always cherish the “Good Times...”

[Rob · Rating 1 out of 5]

this book is pessimistic in tone. it says nothing of how beautiful, resilient, and caring its people have remained from it's original promise through to this very day. we are survivors, not victims, or a casualty of the disinvestment from it founders.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating read about the steel town and the famous architecture and people of Gary.

[Vera's SMCA Fire 2015 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lost but not forgotten!

Taught in this great city from '67 until 86. Raised two children who proudly call Gary home! Our lives are rooted in this great city! Great book! Rekindles the hope that will keep Gary alive!