Carrie Furnace

Carrie Furnace| Inspire Exploration Series

The Inspire Exploration Series is a photo essay highlighting imagery from particular locations. My hope is to inspire within you a curiosity to explore places near or far. Embrace the possibilities for experiencing the unfamiliar, it’s worth the effort!


27 page book (not including cover; also 21 full pages of imagery) highlighting a shoot conducted at the National Historical Landmark that is Carrie Furnace on April 13th, 2011.


Synapsis

It all started with a simple drive by. While traveling on Route 837 across from the towns of Braddock and Rankin, located in Pennsylvania, noticed a strange sight. A huge decrepit industrial complex loomed across the Monongahela River on an even larger open field. Really stuck out. Ended up pulling over, turning around and driving over the Rankin Bridge to see if it was possible to get a closer look. There was no way into the complex, yet a photographic seed was planted that day. How do I get in there and see what this place is all about?

After a bit of research learned about the site (called Carrie Furnace) and the organization who were it’s caretakers - Rivers of Steel. Reached out to Rivers of Steel, visited their offices in Homestead and set up a day to basically rent the site for conducting a photo shoot. While learning about Carrie Furnace and it’s place in history, was educated about the region and the steel industry. The mighty highs of the past, the incredible lows which are felt to this day. The environmental impact which has devastated the area economically and socially let alone the health of the land.

Strides are being made to rectify the issues swirling about. Carrie Furnace has attained National Landmark status. The area is being cleaned up in bits and pieces for the creation of a National Park to generate a tourist industry (something surprisingly lacking as a whole for the region - the local towns as well as Pittsburgh have done too good of a job distancing themselves from their steel industry past). Rivers of Steel being the focal point for facilitating action, not just words when it comes to moving things forward. The towns of Rankin and Braddock which share Carrie Furnace are works in progress, yet must be included in the rejuvenation of what can be.

This project couldn’t have come at a better time for me back then. I had left my job, family, friends, and life in New York City for a woman who meant everything, my childhood sweetheart where possibilities seemed endless. Unfortunately, quickly learned she was not who I thought she was - found myself adrift and stranded far from home, not sure about anything. After being in a very dark place, understood it was up to me to pick myself up and move forward and upwards. Amongst a number of amazing photographic adventures while living in Mt Lebanon, Pennsylvania for 7 months, Carrie Furnace was the one which showed me possibilities can become reality.


Photograph Locations Within:
Ore Yard
Blowing Engine House
Furnace Cast House
Gas Washing System
Hot Blast Plant
Top Stocking Trestle
Deer Project
Number 7 Hoist House
Furnace Number 7
Interior Stock House
Hot Metal Torpedo Car
Carrie Furnace