Bethlehem pa: Steelstacks

Did you ever have a place to go where you could like being watched with no one around? I believe you have. Maybe not admitting to it. Chances are you can think of at least one. Well, in Bethlehem, Artsquest / SteelStacks and the road connecting to Sands Casino is one of mine.

Before I go any farther. I really want to stress something here. Even though I love this section. I walk through it after attending shows at the Sands. They have a strict, no loitering policy. I completely agree with it. Please, if this article does grab your interest, walk through and spend a few minutes here. I am, seriously, asking you to read and go by their rules.

Now, for the reason why I love this place, especially late at night. The first night I walked through, I really paid no attention. Main focus was on getting back. After the first few times, I slowed the pace down a little. When I did, I started looking at the buildings. Being the type where old, abandoned buildings fascinate me. I started wondering what really happened. How people worked and spent a part of their lives inside those walls. I know you can find out by stopping by the area. Taking tours. Google / Bing the subject. That really only tells a part of the story. I started wondering about the pieces of that history you will never know. Finally, after several trips through, I really slowed it down. Took out the camera. Came up with the idea for this article.

I really do not like using the flash unless I have no other choice. This time, I had no other choice. Even though the moon and clouds provided the perfect setting. I am talking about an almost perfect "Halloween" atmosphere, even though it was in the middle of summer. Stopping to take photos, I began to "feel" like being watched. With the exception of an occasional shuttle bus, it was completely silent. OK, great setting / atmosphere, late at night, almost completely silent. You may waiting for the "someone / something jumped out and scared or attacked me" part. Sorry, no horror novel / movie script here. This is perceived reality and no script.

What I did experience was something completely the opposite. Even though I did not see anything supernatural, even with the camera. The "being watched" was not a threat. The hairs did not stand up and I did not feel like I had to get the hell out of there. Trust me, I know that sensation very well from past experiences.

Best way I can describe it? Almost like just being observed. A feeling like, if there is anything supernatural here, it is merely curious. Honestly, I felt completely safe. Another thing I sensed: protection. Again, if there is anything supernatural here, it is protecting what is left of the memories. Observing the changes that happen and people who visit. Protecting what remains of the once great Bethlehem Steel.

The SteelStacks area of Bethlehem is a mix of past and present. ArtsQuest, an outdoor stage and Casino show how far we have come in the past few decades. The old, abandoned buildings remind us of how we arrived here. Countless stories of the daily routine in those buildings and ones no longer standing will never be known. Hopefully, enough stories will be known to give us and idea. I am talking about what the janitors, machine operators, truck drivers, etc. could tell us. Not just the ones from behind the glass in an office.

After deciding to write this article, I can not be in this section of Bethlehem without wondering two things. What are the ghosts thinking about the changes made? Would they approve, especially with the way they are honored?

This article is from my experiences. I did not make up one part of it.

If you are in the Lehigh Valley, any time of year. You may be attending an event in Bethlehem / SteelStacks / ArtsQuest / Sands. After things start quieting down, spend a few minutes walking around. Walk the short road connecting ArtsQuest with Sands Casino. Take your time. Look at buildings. Take a few photos. Maybe you will have the same questions, experiences and respect I have.

Interested? Here is what is going on for your future planning:

SteelStacks:
http://www.steelstacks.org/

ArtsQuest:
http://www.artsquest.org/

Sands Casino / Resort:
http://www.pasands.com/