Description: These mug shots were taken by the Warren, Ohio police department during the 1937 "Little Steel" Strike. On June 24, 1937 two bombs exploded near Republic Steel's Warren Plant. The first bomb damaged a bridge leading to the plant. The second bomb almost struck a car carrying National Guardsmen. Within a month eight men were arrested: Arthur Scott, 40 yrs. old, of Warren, OH; George Bundas, 25, Warren, OH; John Borowiec, 28, Warren; Charles "Chuck" Byers, 32, Warren; Sidney Watkins, 27, Warren; Andrew Marsh, Warren; Joe Orawiec, Johnstown, PA; and Gus Hall, 26, Youngstown. Hall, one of CIO/SWOC's strike leaders in Warren as well as one of the local leaders of the Communist Party, was named by the other bombing suspects as the leader of a plot to bomb Republic Steel facilities as well as the homes of non-striking workers. On July 31, 1937 seven of the defendants (all but Hall) pleaded guilty to illegal possession and control of explosives. Andrew Marsh, George Bundas, and John Bo View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om1619_2583297_069
Subjects: Business and Labor; Strikes; Steel industry; Congress of Industrial Organizations (U.S.); Labor unions; Bombings; Identification photographs
Places: Niles (Ohio); Warren (Ohio); Trumbull County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph of a man with muttonchops wearing a hard hat and looking directly into the camera, taken in Bowling Green, Ohio, and titled "Portrait of a Laborer." The image was submitted by photographer Matt McGookey of Castalia, Ohio, in the Amateur category of the Spirit of Ohio Bicentennial Photo Contest. In August 1976, the Ohio American Revolution Bicentennial Advisory Committee (OARBAC) began the Spirit of Ohio Bicentennial Photo Contest as part of a larger effort in Ohio to celebrate the 1976 American Bicentennial. The contest was meant to document "the spirit and character of the people and places which represent Ohio during [the] bicentennial year," and to create a permanent photographic archive of the year's festivity for use by future researchers. Both professional and amateur photographers submitted over 500 photographs for consideration, all taken within the state between January 1 and December 31, 1976. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA2734AV_B02F112_01_01
Subjects: American Revolution Bicentennial (1976); Employees; Labor--Ohio; Factories;
Places: Bowling Green (Ohio); Wood County (Ohio)
 

Description: These photographs document the actions of someone labeled the ""Noisy Picket"" at the Republic Steel Corporation's Warren Plant during the 1937 ""Little Steel"" Strike. The first photograph was taken on July 8 and shows the protestor walking. The second photograph, taken July 10, was taken for the police; the caption indicates that the man tried to hit the camera with a club. The third and fourth photographs show the man leaving the area. These 4.5"" by 6.5"" (11.43 by 16.5 cm) are part of a scrapbook maintained by the Republic Steel Corporation documenting events at its Warren Plant during the strike. The scrapbook is labeled Miscellaneous Communications, Posters and Pictures Relating to the C.I.O. Strike of the Warren Plant of the Republic Steel Corporation, Summer 1937, Vol. III. In June 1936 the Amalgamated Association of Iron, Steel, and Tin Workers and the Committee for Industrial Organization (C.I.O.) agreed to a joint effort to organize the steel industry. This led to the formation of the Steel Workers Organizing Committee (S.W.O.C.). Soon after the first representatives from the S.W.O.C. arrived in the Mahoning Valley to begin their organizing efforts. On March 26, 1937 the organizing committee signed a contract with U.S. Steel, the nation's largest steel producer. Six weeks later the second largest steel company in the country, Jones & Laughlin, followed the example of U.S. Steel. Following these victories the S.W.O.C. increased its efforts at reaching agreements with the smaller companies known as the ""Little Steel"" companies: Republic Steel, Inland Steel, and Youngstown Sheet and Tube. Talks between the organizing committee and the steel companies broke down and on May 26, 1937 approximately 25,000 Mahoning Valley steelworkers walked off their jobs from Republic Steel and Youngstown Sheet and Tube. Most of the mills shut down with the start of the strike. However, Republic Steel kept their Warren and Niles plants open using non-striking steelworkers. This led to a number of violent confrontations outside the mills. With no end to the strike in sight, Youngstown Sheet and Tube and Republic Steel announced on June 21 that the mills will be re-opened for those workers wanted to return to work. Fearing the violence that would follow attempts to re-open the plants, Ohio Governor Martin Davey ordered National Guard troops to the Mahoning Valley and on June 22 nearly 2,000 National Guardsmen arrived in Youngstown and Warren. The arrival of the National Guard signaled the beginning of the end of the strike. On June 25 striking steelworkers began returning to work under the protection of the National Guard. The steel companies also began hiring new workers to replace those who remained on strike. Soon the mills were running at near full capacity and most of the striking steelworkers had returned to their jobs. On July 6 the National Guard reduced its presence in the Mahoning Valley and the strike was effectively over. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om1619_2586960_022
Subjects: Business and Labor; Strikes; Steel industry; Congress of Industrial Organizations (U.S.); Labor unions
Places: Niles (Ohio); Warren (Ohio); Trumbull County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph from the Columbus Dispatch showing a wall of advertisements for businesses in downtown Columbus, Ohio. Advertised in the image are businesses including McAllister, Mohler & Co. Furniture, Walk-Over Shoes, the Vogue Shop, Columbus Tailoring Co., Owl Sugar and the Columbus Elevator Company. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: P245_B04_02
Subjects: Streets--Ohio--Columbus; Ohio Economy--Economy--Business; Columbus (Ohio)--History--20th century; Retail trade--Ohio--Columbus; Advertisements;
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph from the Columbus Dispatch showing businesses in downtown Columbus, Ohio. Early automobiles and horse-drawn carts are parked along the curb, and a streetcar can be seen in the middle of the street. Visible in the image are businesses including Rowley Artificial Legs, Robinson & Cherryholmes Dentists, the Busy Bee Restaurant, and the Gavin Clothing Company. The latter has large signs posting that it is being forced to vacate its storefront and that its entire stock is on sale. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: P245_B04_01
Subjects: Streets--Ohio--Columbus; Ohio Economy--Economy--Business; Columbus (Ohio)--History--20th century; Retail trade--Ohio--Columbus;
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph showing a large office building at the corner of North High Street and North Broadway in Columbus, Ohio. Visible in the background is Clinton Elementary School. This photograph was taken by a photographer for publication in the Columbus Free Press newspaper. The Columbus Free Press began as a bi-weekly publication in Columbus, Ohio, in 1970. An underground newspaper, it replaced the Ohio State University publication The People, Yes. The earliest known issue of the newspaper appeared on January 4, 1971. The newspaper underwent a series of name changes over the decades, with titles including the Columbus Free Press & Cowtown Times (1972-1976), the Columbus Freepress (1976-1992) and The Free Press (1992-1995). The paper, which covered many liberal and progressive causes, was an alternative to mainstream news sources in central Ohio with the slogan “The Other Side of the News.” In 1995, the paper ceased publication briefly before reemerging as a website in early 1996, and returning as a print publication under the Free Press title in the form of a quarterly journal in 1998. Published under various frequencies during the first part of the 21st century, the Free Press again became a nonprofit monthly publication in 2017 with both a print and web presence, published by the Columbus Institute for Contemporary Journalism and operated by a volunteer staff and board. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: MSS1301AV_NS01_01
Subjects: Street photography; Businesses; Columbus (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc.;
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph showing the groundbreaking by union members at the Bryden House in Columbus, Ohio, ca. 1980-1995, taken by photographer Allen Zak for publication in the Columbus Free Press newspaper. The Columbus Free Press began as a bi-weekly publication in Columbus, Ohio, in 1970. An underground newspaper, it replaced the Ohio State University publication The People, Yes. The earliest known issue of the newspaper appeared on January 4, 1971. The newspaper underwent a series of name changes over the decades, with titles including the Columbus Free Press & Cowtown Times (1972-1976), the Columbus Freepress (1976-1992) and The Free Press (1992-1995). The paper, which covered many liberal and progressive causes, was an alternative to mainstream news sources in central Ohio with the slogan “The Other Side of the News.” In 1995, the paper ceased publication briefly before reemerging as a website in early 1996, and returning as a print publication under the Free Press title in the form of a quarterly journal in 1998. Published under various frequencies during the first part of the 21st century, the Free Press again became a nonprofit monthly publication in 2017 with both a print and web presence, published by the Columbus Institute for Contemporary Journalism and operated by a volunteer staff and board. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: MSS1301AV_B03F04_03
Subjects: Construction industry--Ohio; Labor unions; Housing--Ohio--Columbus; Laborers;
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: This photograph, looking south down High Street from Broad Street in downtown Columbus, Ohio, shows the effects of a brownout in the city in response to a nationwide coal strike that was underway. In response to wage disputes following the end of World War II, union mineworkers walked out en masse, and much of the country was forced to shut down industry and heavily reduce its power usage in response to the diminishing supply of coal. Several Columbus businesses can be seen lining High Street across the street from the Ohio Statehouse, including the Neil House Hotel and Neil Tavern. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: P339_B03F05_01_01
Subjects: Columbus (Ohio)--History--20th century; Downtowns; Labor unions; Strikes; Electric utilities;
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: This 8.5" by 11" (21.59 by 27.8 cm) photograph depicts Reverend C. Edwards Weisheimer reciting prayers at Stop 14, Campbell Works South Gate of Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company. This photograph is part of a larger collection that document efforts to save the steel mills from closing in Youngstown. In November 1900, a group of 55 Youngstown citizens, led by James A. Campbell, raised $600,000 in capital to create the Youngstown Iron Sheet and Tube Company. Land was purchased along the Mahoning River approximately three miles east of downtown. In 1902, the mill opened for production. Spectacular growth marked the company's second decade, some of it spurred by the demand for steel caused by World War I. In 1923, YS&T purchased the Brier Hill Steel Company of Youngstown and the Steel and Tube Company of America of East Chicago. During the 1930s the company survived the Great Depression and the 1937 ""Little Steel"" strike to emerge as a leading steel producer. In the 1960s, YS&T began View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om1623_1913418_011
Subjects: Business and Labor; Steel industry; Labor unions; Demonstrations; Laborers; Clergy; Prayer; United Steelworkers of America
Places: Youngstown (Ohio); Mahoning County (Ohio)
 

Description: Following announcements that the Youngstown steel mills would shut down, the United Steelworkers Association Local 1462, Brier Hill Works of Youngstown Sheet and Tube, fought to keep them open. These two 8.5" by 11" (21.59 by 27.8 cm) photographs document a March 17, 1979 rally to save steel jobs. Gerald Dickey, recording secretary of the Local 1462 can be seen on the left, standing at the podium in both images. The rally took place on Federal Plaza in downtown Youngstown. It was one of many community activities to raise awareness and prevent closings. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om1623_1909831_005
Subjects: Business and Labor; Steel industry; Labor unions; Demonstrations; Laborers; United Steelworkers of America; Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company
Places: Youngstown (Ohio); Mahoning County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph showing buildings at the southwest corner of North High Street and Goodale Street just north of downtown Columbus, Ohio, 1984. Signs can be seen for a flower shop and for Mellman's, which was known as Columbus's longest continually-operating tavern when it closed in 1986. The block seen here was razed in the mid-1980s for construction of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral. This photograph was taken for publication in the Columbus Free Press newspaper, January 1984. The Columbus Free Press began as a bi-weekly publication in Columbus, Ohio, in 1970. An underground newspaper, it replaced the Ohio State University publication The People, Yes. The earliest known issue of the newspaper appeared on January 4, 1971. The newspaper underwent a series of name changes over the decades, with titles including the Columbus Free Press & Cowtown Times (1972-1976), the Columbus Freepress (1976-1992) and The Free Press (1992-1995). The paper, which covered many liberal and progressive causes, was an alternative to mainstream news sources in central Ohio with the slogan “The Other Side of the News.” In 1995, the paper ceased publication briefly before reemerging as a website in early 1996, and returning as a print publication under the Free Press title in the form of a quarterly journal in 1998. Published under various frequencies during the first part of the 21st century, the Free Press again became a nonprofit monthly publication in 2017 with both a print and web presence, published by the Columbus Institute for Contemporary Journalism and operated by a volunteer staff and board. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: MSS1301AV_NS09_01
Subjects: Street photography; Businesses; Columbus (Ohio)--Buildings, structures, etc.; Bars (Drinking establishments)
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph of John Paterson, a man with a jawline beard and wearing a hat, taken in Elyria, Ohio, and titled "American Worker." The image was submitted by John G. Kenney of Elyria, Ohio, in the Professional category of the Spirit of Ohio Bicentennial Photo Contest. In August 1976, the Ohio American Revolution Bicentennial Advisory Committee (OARBAC) began the Spirit of Ohio Bicentennial Photo Contest as part of a larger effort in Ohio to celebrate the 1976 American Bicentennial. The contest was meant to document "the spirit and character of the people and places which represent Ohio during [the] bicentennial year," and to create a permanent photographic archive of the year's festivity for use by future researchers. Both professional and amateur photographers submitted over 500 photographs for consideration, all taken within the state between January 1 and December 31, 1976. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA2734AV_B03F06_09_01
Subjects: American Revolution Bicentennial (1976); Employees; Labor--Ohio;
Places: Elyria (Ohio); Lorain County (Ohio);