Use slider bar to move back and forth across this 1908 view of the Lackawanna Steel Plant Complex. Image source: private collection
The first steel was made in the above complex in 1903 after three years' construction on the facilities. Experienced company steelworkers form the Scranton plant were brought to start operations in Buffalo, and immigrants flocked to the mills. By 1910 over half the workforce was Slavic. The year before the city of Lackawanna had been incorporated, taking its name from the nearly 1,500 acre manufacturing facility situated between Lake Erie and the Hamburg turnpike and railroad tracks. By the time this photo series was created, Lackawanna Steel had been purchased by Bethlehem Steel. |
The Express caption calls these steelworkers' children 'railbirds.' Image source: Heritage Press Express Collection
The attached rowhouses in the background of this image are of "Old Village," the first company housing built by Lackawanna
Steel north of Smokes Creek. It was intended for the lower-paid workers and was demolished around 1930.
Construction of "New Village" company housing north of Ridge Road. Image source: Heritage Press Express Collection
The newer detached housing was intended for the skilled employees. Together, these residential developments could only house one third of the employees
of the company, leaving the rest to boarding houses and commutes from Buffalo. Despite their new and sanitary condition, these houses
were not as appealing to new immigrants as lodging among people who shared their ethnicity and language, even though that choice meant
living in squalid conditions. |
By 1911, 1,010 (25% of the Lackawanna workforce) was required to work seven days per week, usually twelve hours per day.
By 1916, this was eliminated by New York State law, but it would be 1923 until the 8-hour work day became the rule.
Image source: Heritage Press Express Collection
Experienced African-American steelworkers were actively recruited to move to Lackawanna as early as 1904 when fifty families arrived
in Lackawanna from Balitmore.
Tensions and prejudice among the various ethnic and cultural groups prevented union organization for many years.
Image source: Heritage Press Express Collection
During 1910 -1911 there were between 4,066 and 4,957 employees at Lackawanna Steel. Of those,
there were 28 reported fatalities, 252 accidents requiring hospitalization, and 1612 accidents requiring
workers to be sent home. Moses Taylor Hospital was kept busy. |
Image source: Heritage Press Express Collection
Children carting home harvest from the community gardens. Image source: Heritage Press Express Collection
The first garden area made available to employees by the company was Woodlawn Gardens near what is called Woodlawn Beach in 2008.
Each family was assigned a plot whose produce helped defray some of the weekly food costs. In 1915, food costs for one steelmaker's family were 50% of his $15.00 weekly salary.
The employee gardens were eliminated in the 1950s when Bethlehem Steel constructed its new headquarters building on the site.. |
Image source: Heritage Press Express Collection
Most of the history of steelmaking in Lackawanna was yet to be written in 1923 when these photos were published. Immigration slowed after World War I, the unions eventually solidified, African-Americans moved North in increasing numbers to fill vacancies in the steel plants especially during and after World War II, new housing was constructed that segregated black workers, a total of 22,000 workers were employed during the company's peak years. Eventually, eighty years after the complex opened, the Bethlehem steel-making process ended in 1982. |
Special thanks to Mike Malyak, Volunteer for Research & Archives of the Lackawanna Public Library.