Description: This photograph shows a factory in the Mahoning Valley region, specifically in Youngstown, Ohio. The railroad tracks are separated from the factory by the river, which is spanned by a bridge in the distance. The factory, which features a number of billowing smokestacks, was most likely part of the steel industry in the Youngstown area. After getting its start in steel in the 1880s, Youngstown was second only to Pittsburgh in terms of total steel production in the United States by the 1920s. Though hampered by labor conflicts and the Great Depression, the industry continued to grow through World War II. With the further growth of the automobile industry in the years following the war and its demand for steel, Youngstown's economy expanded even more. This economic growth slowed in the late 20th century, as the steel industry across the United States began to decline. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B07F09_001_1
Subjects: Mahoning River; Steel industry and trade--Ohio--Youngstown--History; Factories; Manufacturing industries--Ohio
Places: Youngstown (Ohio); Mahoning County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph showing the train yard at the Ralston Steel Car Company's plant in Columbus, Ohio. The reverse reads: "INDUSTRY. East end of the Ralston Steel Car Company plans where cars are run out into the yard as completed. Credit Line: The Ralston Steel Car Company." The Ralston Steel Company was founded by Joseph S. Ralston and Anton Becker in 1905, when the men bought the former plant of the Rarig Engineering Company on the east side of Columbus. The increasing power of steam locomotives drove demand for the all-steel cars they manufactured, and the company was extremely successful with their drop-bottom general purpose gondola car. These cars had bottom pans that would drop down, allowing coal to pour out instead of the traditional method using shovels and wheelbarrows. This allowed for automatic unloading of coal and hopper cars which led to more efficient production. With the exception of the Great Depression, Ralston experienced a successful run until the 1950s, when demand for freight trains dropped after World War II. The company shut its doors in 1953. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B11F07_007_001
Subjects: Manufacturing industries--Ohio; Steel industry; Transportation--Ohio--History; Factories; Rail yards
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph showing the interior of the Punch, Shear Fitting and Erection building of the Ralston Steel Car Company, located on Cassady Avenue, east of downtown Columbus, Ohio. The Ralston Steel Company was founded by Joseph S. Ralston and Anton Becker in 1905, when the men bought the former plant of the Rarig Engineering Company on the east side of Columbus. The increasing power of steam locomotives drove demand for the all-steel cars they manufactured, and the company was extremely successful with their drop-bottom general purpose gondola car. These cars had bottom pans that would drop down, allowing coal to pour out instead of the traditional method using shovels and wheelbarrows. This allowed for automatic unloading of coal and hopper cars which led to more efficient production. With the exception of the Great Depression, Ralston experienced a successful run until the 1950s, when demand for freight trains dropped after World War II. The company shut its doors in 1953. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B07F07_002_1
Subjects: Manufacturing industries--Ohio; Steel industry; Transportation--Ohio--History; Factories
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph showing the interior of the Punch, Shear Fitting and Erection Shop of the Ralston Steel Car Company located on Cassady Avenue, east of downtown Columbus, Ohio. The Ralston Steel Company was founded by Joseph S. Ralston and Anton Becker in 1905, when the men bought the former plant of the Rarig Engineering Company on the east side of Columbus. The increasing power of steam locomotives drove demand for the all-steel cars they manufactured, and the company was extremely successful with their drop-bottom general purpose gondola car. These cars had bottom pans that would drop down, allowing coal to pour out instead of the traditional method using shovels and wheelbarrows. This allowed for automatic unloading of coal and hopper cars which led to more efficient production. With the exception of the Great Depression, Ralston experienced a successful run until the 1950s, when demand for freight trains dropped after World War II. The company shut its doors in 1953. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B07F07_004_1
Subjects: Manufacturing industries--Ohio; Steel industry; Transportation--Ohio--History; Factories
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: The photograph shows the interior of the Ralston Steel Car Company forge shop in Columbus, Ohio. Railroad tracks run down the center of the building with large machines and forges on either side. The Ralston Steel Company was founded by Joseph S. Ralston and Anton Becker in 1905, when the men bought the former plant of the Rarig Engineering Company on the east side of Columbus. The increasing power of steam locomotives drove demand for the all-steel cars they manufactured, and the company was extremely successful with their drop-bottom general purpose gondola car. These cars had bottom pans that would drop down, allowing coal to pour out instead of the traditional method using shovels and wheelbarrows. This allowed for automatic unloading of coal and hopper cars which led to more efficient production. With the exception of the Great Depression, Ralston experienced a successful run until the 1950s, when demand for freight trains dropped after World War II. The company shut its doors in 1953. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B07F07_005_1
Subjects: Manufacturing industries--Ohio; Steel industry; Transportation--Ohio--History; Factories
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Portrait of Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company President James A. Campbell, ca. 1920-1929. James Anson Campbell was born in Ohltown, Trumbull County, Ohio, on September 11, 1854. In 1900 he co-founded the Youngstown Iron Sheet and Tube Company, later to be renamed the Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company, in East Youngstown with George D. Wick in 1900. Campbell spent thirty years with Youngstown Sheet and Tube, and during that time he participated in numerous charitable and civic activities. In 1926 the residents of East Youngstown chose to rename their city Campbell in recognition of his contributions to the community. Campbell died September 20, 1933, at the age of 79. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL05552
Subjects: Youngstown (Ohio); Industrialists--Ohio; Ohio Economy--Economy--Business; Steel industry and trade--Ohio--Youngstown--History; Factories
Places: Trumbull County (Ohio); Youngstown (Ohio); Mahoning County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph of the interior forge room o the Ralston Steel Car Company, where materials were heated to create steel car parts using tongs, an anvil and a hammer. This photograph includes machinery used in the forge room, as well as multiple hearths and stations for heating materials. The Ralston Steel Company was founded by Joseph S. Ralston and Anton Becker in 1905, when the men bought the former plant of the Rarig Engineering Company on the east side of Columbus. The increasing power of steam locomotives drove demand for the all-steel cars they manufactured, and the company was extremely successful with their drop-bottom general purpose gondola car. These cars had bottom pans that would drop down, allowing coal to pour out instead of the traditional method using shovels and wheelbarrows. This allowed for automatic unloading of coal and hopper cars which led to more efficient production. With the exception of the Great Depression, Ralston experienced a successful run until the 1950s, when demand for freight trains dropped after World War II. The company shut its doors in 1953. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B07F08_025_1
Subjects: Manufacturing industries--Ohio; Steel industry; Transportation--Ohio--History; Factories
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Portrait of Youngstown Sheet and Tube President James A. Campbell, ca. 1920-1929. James Anson Campbell was born in Ohltown, Trumbull County, Ohio, on September 11, 1854. Prior to founding Youngstown Sheet and Tube with George D. Wick, Campbell worked at Republic Iron and Steel Company. Campbell served as Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company's first vice-president while Wick served as president. After Wick stepped down as president in May 1902, Campbell acted as president until the board of directors formally appointed him to the position in 1905. He maintained this role until 1930. During his 30 years with the company, he participated in numerous charitable and civic activities. In 1926 the residents of East Youngstown chose to rename their city Campbell in recognition of Campbell's contributions to the community. Campbell died September 20, 1933, at the age of 79. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL05553
Subjects: Youngstown (Ohio); Industrialists--Ohio; Ohio Economy--Economy--Business; Steel industry and trade--Ohio--Youngstown--History; Factories
Places: Trumbull County (Ohio); Youngstown (Ohio); Mahoning County (Ohio)
 

Description: James A. Campbell, President of Youngstown Sheet and Tube, at his desk, ca. 1920-1929. James Anson Campbell was born in Ohltown, Trumbull County, Ohio, on September 11, 1854. Despite achieving great affluence during his life Campbell did not come from a wealthy upbringing. The youngest of eight children, Campbell attended public schools in the Youngstown area. Upon graduating from Niles High School, Campbell attended Hiram College for a year. Although he had received an appointment to West Point, Campbell declined the appointment instead choosing to assist with his family's farm. In 1900 he co-founded the Youngstown Iron Sheet and Tube Company, later to be renamed the Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company, in East Youngstown with George D. Wick in 1900. Campbell spent thirty years with Youngstown Sheet and Tube and during that time he participated in numerous charitable and civic activities. In 1926 the residents of East Youngstown chose to rename their city Campbell in recognition of Campbell's contributions to the community. Campbell died September 20, 1933, at the age of 79. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL05554
Subjects: Youngstown (Ohio); Industrialists--Ohio; Ohio Economy--Economy--Business; Steel industry and trade--Ohio--Youngstown--History; Factories
Places: Trumbull County (Ohio); Youngstown (Ohio); Mahoning County (Ohio)
 

Description: Portrait of George D. Wick, ca. 1900-1909. Colonel George D. Wick, born June 24, 1854, in Youngstown, was a dominant figure in Youngstown's industrial, financial, and commercial development. Involved with the iron and steel industry, Wick, along with James A. Campbell, resigned from the Republic Iron and Steel Company in 1900, and they formed their own company, the Youngstown Iron Sheet and Tube Company. Wick played an active role in the rising company and served as its first president but after suffering health problems he was forced to take a leave of absence. Although he later returned to the company, Wick perished on the Titanic when it sank on April 15, 1912. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL05555
Subjects: Youngstown (Ohio); Industrialists--Ohio; Ohio Economy--Economy--Business; Steel industry and trade--Ohio--Youngstown--History; Factories
Places: Youngstown (Ohio); Mahoning County (Ohio)
 

Description: James A. Campbell and one of his grandchildren sit outside of Campbell's home in Liberty Township, Ohio, ca. 1920-1929. Although known for his success in the steel industry, Campbell was also a devoted husband and father. Campbell married Uretta Place on January 15, 1880. They had three children: Louis, Helen (Ravelli), and Rebecca. At the time of his death in 1933 Campbell had five grandchildren. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL05556
Subjects: Youngstown (Ohio); Industrialists--Ohio; Ohio Economy--Economy--Business; Steel industry and trade--Ohio--Youngstown--History; Factories; Families; Children
Places: Youngstown (Ohio); Mahoning County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph of James A. Campbell and family relaxing at his home in Liberty Township, Ohio, ca. 1920-1929. Charles Adams Platt designed Campbell's home, located at 3434 Logan Ave. Built from 1917 to 1918, the 13,000 square foot Georgian-style residence had 52 rooms and two wings. The Campbell family resided in the home until the 1940s. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL05557
Subjects: Youngstown (Ohio); Industrialists--Ohio; Ohio Economy--Economy--Business; Steel industry and trade--Ohio--Youngstown--History; Factories; Families; Children
Places: Youngstown (Ohio); Mahoning County (Ohio)