New Book: Homestead and the Steel Valley

Here’s a greatnew book:
Homestead and the Steel Valley (Arcadia Publishing).

Here’s a summary of the book:

Homestead and the Steel Valley (Images of America: Pennsylvania); $19.99
by Daniel J. Burns, for the Carnegie Library of Homestead

Book Description
Western Pennsylvania is dotted with what are known locally as mill towns, but few of these communities epitomize this definition more than the municipalities of Homestead, West Homestead, and Munhall. Commonly referred to as the Steel Valley, these towns were home to some of the greatest steel-producing operations in the world. As the Mon Valley’s steel production answered the nation’s call during two world wars, so did the workers who unloaded countless barges of coal and fed the mills’ great furnaces that produced the material needed for weapons, armament, and tanks. Workers emigrated from every country in Europe to make their mark in America. Many of these people spoke little or no English and endured long hours of labor in often hazardous conditions. Their families brought with them the traditions of their varied European cultures, filling their communities with ethnic diversity. Through 200 photographs, Homestead and the Steel Valley conveys the proud heritage of three communities and their role in the nation’s history.

About the Author
Daniel J. Burns is the president of the Mifflin Township Historical Society, a police officer, and a freelance writer. The author of many historical and law enforcement articles, Burns has also authored Duquesne, Bedford and Its Neighbors, and Pittsburgh’s Rivers.

This is an excellent book–anyone who has roots in Western Pennsylvania will enjoy taking this trip down memory lane. Each caption is its own little historical vignette–telling the stories of the people, places and events key to the development of Homestead, West Homestead, and Munhall.

Bravo, Dan!