Gary, city (2020 pop. 69,093), Lake
co., NW Ind., a port of entry on Lake Michigan; inc. 1909. Gary was founded
by the U.S. Steel Corporation, which purchased the land in 1905 and
landscaped it for a city. In 1908 the first blast furnace was lit to begin
the vast lakefront steel complex that was to dominate U.S. steel production
and become one of the world's greatest steel centers. Gary steelworkers were
especially active in the nationwide steel strike of 1919, when federal
troops occupied the city for several months. In the 1970s and 80s the city's
steel industry declined dramatically, leading to large-scale plant closings
and high unemployment; its population has been steadily declining since
1990. There is still some iron and steel processing, Manufactures also
include tin, steel, and paper products; beverages; medical supplies;
consumer and dairy goods; and apparel. Indiana Univ. Northwest is in Gary.
The city has an airport and a civic center, and Indiana Dunes National Park is
nearby.
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