"A poster child for our nation's urban experimentation a century ago, Gary was forged with hype and hope, dreams and sweat, political agendas and tons of steel. The hardscrabble city attracted all kinds, from shady scroundrels and famous architects to hardworking immigrants and brilliant entrepreneurs. Boasting 180,00 residents at its peak, the booming melting pot eventually faded away under the afflictions of urban decay, racial unrest and political upheaval."--P. [4] of cover.
