An inspector checks tires coming off the assembly line at the Firestone Tire & Rubber plant on Dec. 1, 1972. The plant opened in 1937 and at one time employed approximately 1,600 people. At the time shutdown proceedings began, there were approximately 1,000 employees. The plant, which had 1.4 million square feet and occupied 85 acres on Firestone, closed in March of 1983.