Despite pockets of run-down strips, Middletown is sprinkled with local family businesses, a beautiful library and historic homes and buildings.
The Middletown water tower sits next to the major I-75 highway. All photos by Joshua Longmore / The National
AK Steel, recently bought out by Cleveland-based Cliffs, has a renowned history in Middletown dating back to the turn of the 19th century.
An aerial view of Middletown's suburban homes, just next door to the former AK Steel plant.
A street view of one of Middletown's suburban strips.
Historic downtown Middletown, Ohio.
As the steel industry in Middletown Ohio depleted, so too did many household incomes, livelihoods, and businesses.
'[Ohio] is moving in the direction of not being a swing state anymore,' Nancy Martorano Miller, an Ohio politics expert and Associate Professor of Political Science at The University of Dayton, told 'The National'.
Middletown is 'rich in history', says Marc Morgan, pointing to landmarks the historic Madison Inn where former president John F Kennedy's stayed, community members who marched with civil rights leader Dr Martin Luther King Jr, and enduring family businesses.
JD Vance rose to national fame for his book 'Hillbilly Elegy', which describes his upbringing in Middletown, Ohio and portrays a disillusioned white, working class.
Middletown is a largely Republican area, with widespread support for one of its own, JD Vance, running for Senate. But yard signs indicate blips of enthusiasm for Democrat Tim Ryan.
Despite pockets of run-down strips, Middletown is sprinkled with local family businesses, a beautiful library and historic homes and buildings.
The Middletown water tower sits next to the major I-75 highway. All photos by Joshua Longmore / The National
AK Steel, recently bought out by Cleveland-based Cliffs, has a renowned history in Middletown dating back to the turn of the 19th century.
An aerial view of Middletown's suburban homes, just next door to the former AK Steel plant.
A street view of one of Middletown's suburban strips.
Historic downtown Middletown, Ohio.
As the steel industry in Middletown Ohio depleted, so too did many household incomes, livelihoods, and businesses.
'[Ohio] is moving in the direction of not being a swing state anymore,' Nancy Martorano Miller, an Ohio politics expert and Associate Professor of Political Science at The University of Dayton, told 'The National'.
Middletown is 'rich in history', says Marc Morgan, pointing to landmarks the historic Madison Inn where former president John F Kennedy's stayed, community members who marched with civil rights leader Dr Martin Luther King Jr, and enduring family businesses.
JD Vance rose to national fame for his book 'Hillbilly Elegy', which describes his upbringing in Middletown, Ohio and portrays a disillusioned white, working class.
Middletown is a largely Republican area, with widespread support for one of its own, JD Vance, running for Senate. But yard signs indicate blips of enthusiasm for Democrat Tim Ryan.
Despite pockets of run-down strips, Middletown is sprinkled with local family businesses, a beautiful library and historic homes and buildings.
!['[Ohio] is moving in the direction of not being a swing state anymore,' Nancy Martorano Miller, an Ohio politics expert and Associate Professor of Political Science at The University of Dayton, told 'The National'.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QXSNMNDP7BEUVHDBAZPFNZKT3I.jpg?smart=true&auth=7c71ff7f7a8b6e3dde6d7100be6f2514ae021ad38c1c02b572709e24f7116468&width=400&height=225)
