The massive star is believed to be the third one to sit above the plant.
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“We felt it is a big part of Middletown’s history that needed to be preserved,” said Bill Becker, a longtime member of the “Grandpa Gang,” volunteer organizers of Light Up Middletown.
The star originally had light bulbs attached, but those were stripped when it arrived a Smith Park. It will be pressure washed, painted, fitted with new, brighter bulbs and given a place of significance at next year’s display.
“Some of them out a AK said they might make a plaque to tell about the history,” said Barney Strassburger, Light Up Middletown grounds manager. “We are happy to have it. Just didn’t want to see it cut up or thrown away.”
A new star has been erected above the plant.
“This year, AK Steel’s Middletown Works created a new, lighted star with energy efficient LED lights, that is placed at our Coke plant in the same location we’ve had a lighted star for many years during the holiday season,” said Lisa Jester, AK Steel spokeswoman.
The new star is about 16 feet across, slightly smaller than the previous one.
“We were pleased to donate the previous star to be used as part of the Light Up Middletown holiday light display, which AK Steel employees and retirees help set up, and have supported for many years,” Jester said.
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In 1953, the coke plant and the blast furnace were one department, according to company documents. Employees in the blast furnace constructed a cross that they lit every holiday season, so the maintenance employees assigned to the coke plant wanted something to show their Christmas spirit and erected a six-foot star with colored bulbs, according to Journal-News reports.
The star was mounted on the “moon deck,” 151 feet in the air, but it was too small to be visible to those outside the plant.
In 1954, the first full-size star was built with 20-foot angle iron and all-white bulbs. That star was retired in 1969, and the third star was erected, according to documents.
In 1982, during the height of the energy crisis, the star wasn’t lit. But after the newspaper and the steel company’s front offices received complaints, the lights on the star were turned on.
Fourteen years later, a plant supervisor refused to permit the hourly employees to repair the star, but after public outcry, the star was lit on Dec. 6, 1996.
Light Up Middletown, is open through Dec. 31.from 6 to 10 p.m.regardless of weather including holidays. Admission is by cash donation.
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