Inside the Ohio ghost town that was the birthplace of a Hollywood legend but now serves as a 1940s “time capsule” with its dilapidated homes and abandoned stores

Dilapidated houses, abandoned stores, a near-empty shopping mall and faded murals: a revealing documentary takes viewers on a journey through a languishing Ohio town.

Urban explorer Devin Donker vHe explained that this was once a thriving industrial area known for its steel production and coal mining.

It is also known as the birthplace of iconic singer and actor Dean Martin.

But “because America couldn’t compete with lower prices abroad, the mines and factories closed in the 1980s” and the city “lost half of its original population of 40,000 people.” According to Devin, the city is now “stuck in the 1940s.”

As the filmmaker walks through the historic city center, he notices that “there are no people walking around here” and that most of the shops appear deserted.

Urban explorer Devin Dark ventured into downtown Steubenville, which he says was once a thriving industrial area

It is also famous as the birthplace of iconic crooner Dean Martin

As Devin wanders through the city’s historic center, he notices that “there’s not a soul walking around here” and that most of the shops seem deserted

In a white goods store he looks into, dozens of washing machines are still gathering dust in the showroom, while in a closed video game store, hundreds of games are on the shelves, slowly but surely becoming outdated.

Devin explains as he looks out the window, “Wow, look at that! I think it should be abandoned.

“There are PlayStation 2 games over there on the left… Xbox 360s on the shelf… This place is a time capsule.”

Other closed-off places he comes across include an old bank, a multi-story hotel, and a gas station with a vintage car parked in front of it.

During his tour, Devin explains that Steubenville is also known as the “City of Murals” because of the collection of giant works of art that adorn various buildings.

The Tourism in Ohio According to the website, there are currently 24 life-size murals painted on buildings across the city, creating an “open-air” art museum.

‘From Pioneer Days, which highlights the Ohio Valley’s role in westward expansion, to city resident Dean Martin and the Rat Pack, to dramatic scenes of steelworkers in the now-closed steel mills, the murals present local history in a colorful, new way.’

Later in the documentary, Devin explores a residential neighborhood in disrepair and ventures into the Fort Steuben Mall.

The Ohio Tourism website reports that there are currently “24 life-size murals painted on buildings throughout the city, creating an ‘open-air’ art museum”

Later in the documentary, Devin ventures into the Fort Steuben Mall, which was built in 1974 but is now in a similar state of gradual disrepair

A closed video game store has hundreds of games on its shelves that are slowly becoming outdated

Devin explores a residential area that he finds in a dilapidated state

Although the mall flourished after opening in 1974, Devin believes it is a shadow of its former self.

As he walks through the empty mall, he says, “Because the jobs are leaving the area, people are not going to go shopping anymore, and that’s going to lead to another mall disappearing in America.”

‘[It will] likely to be closed eventually… T‘There really aren’t many shops.’

The camera pans around to reveal that many stores are closed, except for a GameStop and a JCPenney.

Devin sums up his visit to Steubenville saying, “MMost of these houses in the town were built for miners or businessmen associated with the steel mill mine.

‘With house prices falling by 50 percent since the 1940s, about half of the city’s homes are now completely empty or have been demolished.

‘I found more and more homes and family businesses that had been abandoned and left behind. It’s a sad sight, but it reminds me of what big companies do to the little guys.

‘I really hope that this village and this town will become a bit more economical and that some of the buildings will not fall into further disrepair, but it was a wonderful day, a wonderful journey of discovery.’

Many viewers have expressed gratitude to Devin for sharing his insights. However, some have stressed that other areas of Steubenville are alive and well

“With house prices down more than 50 percent since the 1940s, about half of the city’s homes are now completely vacant or have been demolished,” he said.

“I kept finding more and more homes and family businesses that had been abandoned and left behind,” Dave said.

Many viewers are grateful to Devin for sharing his insights.

One fan wrote: ‘I grew up in Ohio. I went there once in the early 90’s. I remember it being a lot more vibrant back then. It was just shocking to see the transformation in the last 30 years. I loved the video.’

However, some have indicated that other areas of Steubenville are indeed alive and well, but they are not shown in the documentary.

One commenter wrote the following about the YouTube video: “I’m glad you visited our town and appreciated what it was and some of what it is now, but Steubenville is not an abandoned ghost town.

‘It may not be what it once was, and yes, many businesses and homes are abandoned, but there is so much more here.

‘There have been many new businesses opening in the last decade and even in recent years, many of which you just walked past without saying anything about. [about].

“Most of these places are closed on Sundays or have limited hours, but they have brought a lot of life to our city. Many families have moved here from larger cities across the country because of the smaller urban community and the prices.”