What Happened to East Chicago, Indiana?
Once called "Steeltown", East Chicago was a booming industrial hub—home to steel mills, oil refineries, and lead smelters. But decades of unchecked industrial activity have left a devastating legacy: poisoned soil, toxic air, contaminated water, and an ongoing environmental crisis.
In this video, I take you on a sobering journey through East Chicago's past and present, speaking with environmental experts and residents to uncover the shocking truth about one of America's most contaminated cities. You'll learn about:
⚠️ The USS Lead Superfund Site and the demolished West Calumet Housing Complex 0:00 - 10:56
🏚 Ghost Neighborhood 10:56 - 14:24
🏭 BP oil refinery violations 14:24 - 16:36
🏘 Marktown, the historic district trapped in industrial sprawl 16:36 - 22:06
📉 The city's economic collapse, housing crisis, corruption and other history 22:06 - 30:39
Chris's Livability Score: 30:29 - 36:10
This is a raw, eye-opening look at how industry built East Chicago—and how it nearly destroyed it. From rust belt roots to a toxic future, East Chicago is a cautionary tale of environmental neglect, political corruption, and the resilience of the communities left behind.
📽 BONUS: Check out my second channel, Chris Harden’s Video Archives, for all the extra footage I couldn’t fit into this video.
👇 COMMENT below with your thoughts, especially if you’ve lived in or visited East Chicago.
👍 LIKE if you learned something new
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Like what I do? You can support me by becoming a member of Team Invader here: / @chrisharden
All funds will go towards travel and equipment expenses so that I can continue to make great content!
Help me grow my other channels!
Chris Harden's Travel Archives: / @chrishardenarchives
Nostalgia Tours Radio: / @nostalgiatoursradio
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In order to make good YouTube videos, it helps to have good equipment. I started out on a budget and have expanded overtime. Links to everything that I use are down below.
WHAT I USE AT HOME:
Home PC for video editing: https://amzn.to/4aDWtze
Sound Mixer: https://amzn.to/3TFkHCo
Microphone: https://amzn.to/4ahTBbs
Other things: https://amzn.to/3TzvUnG
WHAT I USE ON THE ROAD:
Camara: https://amzn.to/3TGtUKG
Other Camera: https://amzn.to/3TGu44K
Drone: https://amzn.to/3vADq9Z
Other things: https://amzn.to/3J3FxXe
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I keep virtual map that shows every place that I've made a video on here:
INTERACTIVE MAP that shows you all of the places that I've made videos on: (Doesn't always work on mobile devices. Will always work on PC.) https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/2/edi...
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I have other social media that you can follow me on as well. Through a DM or Email, you contact me for collaborations, video ideas or for basic fan mail:
SOCIAL MEDIA & CONTACT INFO:
Email: [email protected]
On Twitter: / chris_harden55
On Instagram: / c_harden7
On Facebook: / chrishardenyt
DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you. As an Amazon Associate I do earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. As always, thank you for supporting my channel!