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Wisconsin Steel Works, General View
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The story of Chicago's Southeast Side is the story of steel. At one point
the region was one of the largest steel producing regions in the world.
Heavy industry, especially steel mills, came to the area after the Civil
War drawn by natural features compatible with their business. There was
cheap land and plenty of it -- land that would be used for factories, bulk
storage, and disposal. Fresh water was present, water for cooling
necessary in the manufacturing process and water for transportation.
Railroads had already crossed the area and linked the Southeast Side to
other regions of the country. There was an available supply of labor and
space for housing more workers. The region was far enough from Chicago to
minimize the negative features of heavy industry on the city and yet close
enough to take advantage of the markets of the Chicago metropolitan
region.
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