1 / 24 Freeman-Wilson overlooking downtown Gary. The domed building at left is the county courthouse; right rear, City HallPhotograph: Brian Sorg 2 / 24 February 8, a day in the life: 9:45 a.m. Heading to a City Hall meeting with J. Forest Hayes, her commerce director.Photograph: Brian Sorg 3 / 24 10:15 a.m. Giving a key to the city to a former student at West Side High.Photograph: Brian Sorg 4 / 24 11:50 a.m. Rushing to appointments.Photograph: Brian Sorg 5 / 24 12:00 p.m. Driving by her childhood home.Photograph: Bryan Smith 6 / 24 The city’s main drag, Broadway, around 1965, the height of its prosperityPhotograph: Steven R. Shook, Northwest Indiana Genealogical Society 7 / 24 The once-impressive lobby of the Sheraton HotelPhotograph: Brian Sorg 8 / 24 The exterior of the Sheraton Hotel, which has been abandoned for more than two decadesPhotograph: Brian Sorg 9 / 24 A retirement community downtown, cooked up during the last mayoral administration, has yet to break ground.Photograph: Brian Sorg 10 / 24 The wall of mayors inside City Hall. From left: Scott King, Thomas Barnes, and Rudy Clay. Freeman-Wilson is the city's first female mayor.Photograph: Brian Sorg 11 / 24 Abandoned building in GaryPhotograph: Brian Sorg 12 / 24 More scenes from GaryPhotograph: Brian Sorg 13 / 24 Mayor's office inside City HallPhotograph: Brian Sorg 14 / 24 Birth home of Michael Jackson, Gary's biggest claim to famePhotograph: Bryan Smith 15 / 24 Birth home of Michael Jackson, Gary's biggest claim to famePhotograph: Bryan Smith 16 / 24 More scenes from GaryPhotograph: Brian Sorg 17 / 24 More scenes from GaryPhotograph: Brian Sorg 18 / 24 More scenes from GaryPhotograph: Brian Sorg 19 / 24 More scenes from GaryPhotograph: Brian Sorg 20 / 24 More scenes from GaryPhotograph: Brian Sorg 21 / 24 More scenes from GaryPhotograph: Brian Sorg 22 / 24 More scenes from GaryPhotograph: Brian Sorg 23 / 24 More scenes from GaryPhotograph: Brian Sorg 24 / 24 More scenes from GaryPhotograph: Brian Sorg Photos: Karen Freeman-Wilson and Gary, Indiana March 21, 2012, 11:59 am RELATED STORY: Can Karen Freeman-Wilson Fix Gary, Indiana?