Freeman-Wilson overlooking downtown Gary. The domed building at left is the county courthouse; right rear, City Hall Photograph: Brian Sorg
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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
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10:15 a.m. Giving a key to the city to a former student at West Side High. Photograph: Brian Sorg
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11:50 a.m. Rushing to appointments. Photograph: Brian Sorg
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12:00 p.m. Driving by her childhood home. Photograph: Bryan Smith
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The city’s main drag, Broadway, around 1965, the height of its prosperity Photograph: Steven R. Shook, Northwest Indiana Genealogical Society
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The once-impressive lobby of the Sheraton Hotel Photograph: Brian Sorg
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The exterior of the Sheraton Hotel, which has been abandoned for more than two decades Photograph: Brian Sorg
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A retirement community downtown, cooked up during the last mayoral administration, has yet to break ground. Photograph: Brian Sorg
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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
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Abandoned building in Gary Photograph: Brian Sorg
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More scenes from Gary Photograph: Brian Sorg
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Mayor's office inside City Hall Photograph: Brian Sorg
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Birth home of Michael Jackson, Gary's biggest claim to fame Photograph: Bryan Smith
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Birth home of Michael Jackson, Gary's biggest claim to fame Photograph: Bryan Smith
