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 🔔 SUBSCRIBE and JOIN Team Invader Plus for bonus content, early access, and monthly Q&As ==================================================================== 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   ==================================================================== 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 ==================================================================== 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... ==================================================================== 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!