James Jeffrey Higgins

  Over the last 150 years, steel production played a vital role in the shaping of our nation. This was especially true in Youngstown, Ohio, a part of what is now often referred to as "the Rust Belt." In their prime, however, the Youngstown mill ran along 25 miles of the Mahoning River and employed tens of thousands of people. All of that changed in September 1977 when the LTV Corporation announced that it was closing its Youngtown Works. This part of the country had never fully recovered from that decision, and Youngstown today struggles for it's survival.
           Higgins's photography places these decaying traces of the industrial landscape squarely amid the magnificence and magic of nature.

  This new collection finds photographer James Jeffrey Higgins exploring the fading farms and small towns of the Ohio Valley. His photographs capture the beauty and majesty of the landscape and the spirit of the people who remain in a region beset by economic losses. While recording the everpresent signs of hard times, Mr. Higgins also captures a powerful sense of place, a victory of the spirit.

About the Author
           James Jeffrey Higgins was born in Youngstown, Ohio, and still lives in the area. He is intimately familiar with the images and landscapes he captures in his photographs and is rapidly becoming one of the leading environmental photographers in the region.

Of Related Interest
Portraits in Steel An Illustrated History of Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation
David H. Wollman & Donald R. Inman

          The History of Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation paints a gritty portrait of the successes and failures of the American steel industry. From the beginning, its workers were intensely loyal and creative. Portraits in Steel portrays the relationship between iron and steel workers and management and has many never-before published photographs of the J&L mills in operation, as well as historic advertising copy and excerpts from the famous "Jake and Louie" cartoons.

James Jeffrey Higgins's Books are published by the Kent State University Press Kent, Ohio 44242

Images of the Rust Belt was designed and composed by Will Underwood at Kent State University Press
On Common Ground was was designed and composed by Christine Brooks at Kent State University Press