The journey starts and ends in New York — with many different worlds in between. It will take us through the Rust Belt to Detroit, then to Boulder, Colorado; followed by Austin, Texas and Hartford, Connecticut. It is a journey between two golden ages — the steel industry and start-ups.
New York, Approaching Newark Airport
When the plane breaks through the clouds, the rusty industrial areas in front of New York’s enticing skyline become visible.
When the plane breaks through the clouds, the rusty industrial areas in front of New York’s enticing skyline become visible.
Interstate 78 Heading West
Trip to Reading, Pennsylvania.
Trip to Reading, Pennsylvania.
Troy in Reading, Pennsylvania
In the hotel bar, we play billiards with Tony from Georgia, who is stranded in the North looking for work. Why exactly he chose Reading is beyond our comprehension and his heavy Southern accent makes it impossible to chat, which is why we drink whisky instead.
In the hotel bar, we play billiards with Tony from Georgia, who is stranded in the North looking for work. Why exactly he chose Reading is beyond our comprehension and his heavy Southern accent makes it impossible to chat, which is why we drink whisky instead.
Reading, Pennsylvania
Once upon a time, “pretzel capital of the world”, Reading is now at the bottom of the statistics: More than one-third of its inhabitants live in poverty.
Once upon a time, “pretzel capital of the world”, Reading is now at the bottom of the statistics: More than one-third of its inhabitants live in poverty.
Somewhere in Pennsylvania
We continue our journey to Harrisburg, passing through Pennsylvania’s drowsy villages and monotonous agricultural landscapes. Houses, streets, the power supply — nothing was made to last and nothing will be rebuilt. Too irrelevant, too outdated. The future lies elsewhere.
We continue our journey to Harrisburg, passing through Pennsylvania’s drowsy villages and monotonous agricultural landscapes. Houses, streets, the power supply — nothing was made to last and nothing will be rebuilt. Too irrelevant, too outdated. The future lies elsewhere.
Three Mile Island, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
1979 marked the first core meltdown at a nuclear power plant in Harrisburg, immediately catapulting the town to world fame. In 2011, Harrisburg declared itself insolvent; nonetheless, its nuclear power plant Three Mile Island is still running.
1979 marked the first core meltdown at a nuclear power plant in Harrisburg, immediately catapulting the town to world fame. In 2011, Harrisburg declared itself insolvent; nonetheless, its nuclear power plant Three Mile Island is still running.
Someplace in Pennsylvania
Burger chain monotony along US provincial roads. Tedium for miles and miles, in repetition.
Burger chain monotony along US provincial roads. Tedium for miles and miles, in repetition.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
We stroll through Pittsburgh, once a key site in the US steel industry. The city was able to cushion its economic decline relatively well and is considered a prime example of successful structural change. Still, the outskirts of Pittsburgh look woeful.
We stroll through Pittsburgh, once a key site in the US steel industry. The city was able to cushion its economic decline relatively well and is considered a prime example of successful structural change. Still, the outskirts of Pittsburgh look woeful.
Youngstown, Ohio
Youngstown is one of the most important steel cities in the US. Its demise was already extolled by Bruce Springsteen in 1995. Located in one of the country's blind spots, the city continues to decay as innovation seems to pass by.
Youngstown is one of the most important steel cities in the US. Its demise was already extolled by Bruce Springsteen in 1995. Located in one of the country's blind spots, the city continues to decay as innovation seems to pass by.
Youngstown, Ohio
Youngstown, Ohio
Efraim is poking fun at us because we order salad — “rabbit feed” — in a restaurant. Exposed as Europeans, we are smothered with Trump apologies. Not the last time by any means.
Efraim is poking fun at us because we order salad — “rabbit feed” — in a restaurant. Exposed as Europeans, we are smothered with Trump apologies. Not the last time by any means.
Youngstown, Ohio
Youngstown, Ohio
Akron, Ohio
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is named after Charles Goodyear, who discovered the vulcanisation of rubber by accident, manufacturing it for the first time. Nevertheless, he was destitute throughout his life. In 1898, Goodyear was established in Akron, followed by Goodrich and Firestone, and so the city became the center of the rubber and tire industry.
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is named after Charles Goodyear, who discovered the vulcanisation of rubber by accident, manufacturing it for the first time. Nevertheless, he was destitute throughout his life. In 1898, Goodyear was established in Akron, followed by Goodrich and Firestone, and so the city became the center of the rubber and tire industry.
Akron, Ohio
Former Goodrich Factory, Akron, Ohio
The factories are vacant and the people’s minds are clouded; the US is experiencing an unprecedented opiate epidemic. The number of drug-related deaths has increased. In fact, more people are killed by heroin than by traffic accidents. The Rust Belt is particularly affected by this trend.
The factories are vacant and the people’s minds are clouded; the US is experiencing an unprecedented opiate epidemic. The number of drug-related deaths has increased. In fact, more people are killed by heroin than by traffic accidents. The Rust Belt is particularly affected by this trend.
Akron, Ohio
Akron, Ohio
Akron, Ohio
Alongside the car industry, rubber manufacturing in Akron went downhill; however, the city has managed to nurture fresh impetus against the demise with investments in research and education institutes.
Alongside the car industry, rubber manufacturing in Akron went downhill; however, the city has managed to nurture fresh impetus against the demise with investments in research and education institutes.
Interstate 90 Westwards
Luna Pier, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Passing by Lake Erie into Detroit — the center of the US auto industry. Since the 1970s, following its demise, nearly two thirds of the previously two million inhabitants have moved out of the “Motor City”.
Passing by Lake Erie into Detroit — the center of the US auto industry. Since the 1970s, following its demise, nearly two thirds of the previously two million inhabitants have moved out of the “Motor City”.
Detroit, Michigan
We drive into downtown Detroit. The surrounding neighborhoods and the city’s deterioration leave one speechless. Enormous industrial complexes are marked by decades of vacancy — entire districts are dilapidated and few people are on the streets.
We drive into downtown Detroit. The surrounding neighborhoods and the city’s deterioration leave one speechless. Enormous industrial complexes are marked by decades of vacancy — entire districts are dilapidated and few people are on the streets.
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
The Michigan Central Station is situated in the background; once the tallest railway building in the world, the structure is listed but vacant today.
The Michigan Central Station is situated in the background; once the tallest railway building in the world, the structure is listed but vacant today.
Downtown Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
View from the Fisher Building — an Art Deco icon — onto Cadillac Place, the former headquarters of General Motors.
View from the Fisher Building — an Art Deco icon — onto Cadillac Place, the former headquarters of General Motors.
Detroit, Michigan
We take the elevator to the top floor of the Fisher Building where we discover more vacant offices with incredible views of downtown Detroit.
We take the elevator to the top floor of the Fisher Building where we discover more vacant offices with incredible views of downtown Detroit.
Downtown Detroit, Michigan
Detroit’s decline has been extolled and captured in morbid photos which have brought it world-renown. Yet, for some years now the city has been taking tentative steps towards a new economic future. We meet two companies that build on the city's old traditions with innovative ideas.
Detroit’s decline has been extolled and captured in morbid photos which have brought it world-renown. Yet, for some years now the city has been taking tentative steps towards a new economic future. We meet two companies that build on the city's old traditions with innovative ideas.
Detroit Labs, Downtown Detroit, Michigan
Detroit Labs is a software developer as well as a modern supplier to the automotive industry. The company was established five years ago. The now well over 100 employees write software for automobile companies around the world.
Detroit Labs is a software developer as well as a modern supplier to the automotive industry. The company was established five years ago. The now well over 100 employees write software for automobile companies around the world.
Bill Camp, Detroit Labs, Downtown Detroit, Michigan
Bill came to Detroit from San Francisco three years ago to work for Detroit Labs. On the one hand, there is the industry and on the other hand, there is the city of Detroit. The industry still exists even if on a smaller scale and the city is recovering from its long-term downfall. However, that cannot be said for factory jobs. Car manufacturing processes are more sophisticated and mechanized today, so that less workers are needed. Jobs are returning, but of a different nature.
Bill came to Detroit from San Francisco three years ago to work for Detroit Labs. On the one hand, there is the industry and on the other hand, there is the city of Detroit. The industry still exists even if on a smaller scale and the city is recovering from its long-term downfall. However, that cannot be said for factory jobs. Car manufacturing processes are more sophisticated and mechanized today, so that less workers are needed. Jobs are returning, but of a different nature.
Detroit Labs, Downtown Detroit, Michigan
Josh Diskin, Detroit Labs, Downtown Detroit, Michigan
John and Bill guide us through their offices, talking of Detroit and the car industry, and how Detroit Labs moved into this downtown building, which had been vacant for 30 years.
John and Bill guide us through their offices, talking of Detroit and the car industry, and how Detroit Labs moved into this downtown building, which had been vacant for 30 years.
Downtown Detroit, Michigan
Downtown Detroit, Michigan
Downtown Detroit, Michigan
The theater in the Michigan Building was closed after half-a-century in service and turned into a car park only one year later in 1977. The molding over the subsequently installed concrete ceilings tells a story of glamorous times when thousands flocked to the cinema. Today, the building has become the symbol of Detroit’s demise.
The theater in the Michigan Building was closed after half-a-century in service and turned into a car park only one year later in 1977. The molding over the subsequently installed concrete ceilings tells a story of glamorous times when thousands flocked to the cinema. Today, the building has become the symbol of Detroit’s demise.
Downtown Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Cadillac Place — the headquarters of General Motors until the company moved into a new building on the Detroit river. Today, the government has its administrative offices in this building, named after Detroit’s founder, Sieur de Cadillac.
Cadillac Place — the headquarters of General Motors until the company moved into a new building on the Detroit river. Today, the government has its administrative offices in this building, named after Detroit’s founder, Sieur de Cadillac.
Downtown Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit Bikes, Detroit, Michigan
The people behind bicycle manufacturers Detroit Bikes produce high-quality city bikes. In doing so, they are not only reviving an economic sector that existed in Detroit before the car industry but are also providing jobs to those who worked on the production line for General Motors and others.
The people behind bicycle manufacturers Detroit Bikes produce high-quality city bikes. In doing so, they are not only reviving an economic sector that existed in Detroit before the car industry but are also providing jobs to those who worked on the production line for General Motors and others.
Zak Pashak, Detroit Bikes, Detroit, Michigan
Zak Pashak, head of Detroit Bikes, came from Canada to Detroit to build up an enterprise. He says there is much to learn from Detroit.
Zak Pashak, head of Detroit Bikes, came from Canada to Detroit to build up an enterprise. He says there is much to learn from Detroit.
David Jarboe, Worker, Detroit Bikes, Detroit, Michigan
“The A-Type Bike”, Detroit Bikes, Detroit, Michigan
Tina Johnson, Human Resources, Detroit Bikes, Detroit, Michigan
Detroit Bikes, Detroit, Michigan
Steve Nelson, Worker, Detroit Bikes, Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Perhaps it is Detroit’s place in music history or the attraction of its industrial ruins that speak of the city’s former cultural glory that lure companies in the creative industries to settle here. There are still dark clouds hanging over the rest of the Rust Belt — gridlocked in matters of infrastructure, education and future.
Our next stop is Boulder, Colorado, a small town at the foot of the Rocky Mountains.
Perhaps it is Detroit’s place in music history or the attraction of its industrial ruins that speak of the city’s former cultural glory that lure companies in the creative industries to settle here. There are still dark clouds hanging over the rest of the Rust Belt — gridlocked in matters of infrastructure, education and future.
Our next stop is Boulder, Colorado, a small town at the foot of the Rocky Mountains.
Tobias Kruse — In America
In April, Tobias Kruse travelled the United States with his camera — from New York, passing through the Rust Belt to Detroit by car (Part 1). He then flew to Boulder, Colorado (Part 2),
followed by Austin, Texas (Part 3), before returning to the East Coast (Part 4). For decades, states in between the coasts have been referred to as “flyover country”, but at least Colorado and Texas are now competing with California. Kruse wrote down his
impressions.
Tobias Kruse has been a member of OSTKREUZ since 2011. He lives and works in Berlin.
