Category: Architecture


If you love to photograph grunge … most especially rust and decrepitude … then Steel Stacks in Bethlehem, Pa. is the place for you!  Steel Stacks is home to the iron furnaces of Bethlehem Steel – the now closed facility that employed thousands and manufactured iron for our nation’s buildings and bridges.  The location is now a destination centered around the arts and last weekend an outdoor festival that included Keystone Dock Dogs.  What a contrast to see the soft and furry dogs with a background of the blast furnaces!

This is a favorite old barn that I’ve photographed several times over the years.  Each time I visit, it appears that a little more TLC is needed to keep it going.  There used to be horses in this field at one time.  Now the fence that protected them is in need of repair.  I’m glad that I’ve gotten to know this old barn and had the opportunity to photograph it before it becomes too late.

I wasn’t blessed with the greatest sense of direction.  As a result, I need to find landmarks to remind me where to turn when driving to a familiar location or even to help me find my car at the mall.  These three silos are my indicator for where to turn en route to Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area.  After about 10 years of driving there, I no longer need the GPS, but a landmark or two along the way help me to stay on track.

Constructed in 1761, The Tannery is located in the Colonial Industrial Quarter in Bethlehem, Pa.  Moravians used the building to turn hides into leather to support the community.  The building was sold and later converted into a multi-family residence in 1873.  I photographed this building early in the afternoon and again just before sunset and prefer the later in the day version when you can see the lights illuminated in the windows.

Whether you are inside looking out…or…outside looking in, the window displays in The Hotel Bethlehem (Bethlehem, Pa.) are always stunning at Christmas.