Most of my life thus far has taken place within the corporate limits of Lima, Ohio. Like any other community, Lima has its strengths and weaknesses. Lima has a fascinating history that is a source of local pride. It is home to an oil refinery that was for decades the largest in the world, as well as the Lima Army Tank Plant, which is the sole manufacturer of the M1 Abrams tank. During the Cold War, Lima ranked fifth in the nation most likely to be attacked by the Soviet Union, due to these two characteristics. As a major oil, banking and manufacturing center, Lima once attracted thousands of new residents annually at its peak. At one time, Lima boasted two performance halls, an opera house, several community theaters, and countless movie theaters. Large mansions sprang up along Market Street and the city's west side from the 1880s to the late 1920s. A perfect example of a Rust Belt city, Lima has been in a state of gradual but steady decline for decades. Most of the wealthier citizens moved to suburbs such as Shawnee, Bath, and Elida. As a result, some areas of the city have languished while others have expanded. Overall, the changes that have occurred in Lima since the 1970s are typical of many other Rust Belt cities. For the most part, signs of our former importance have disappeared. However, Lima continues to enjoy great cultural activities all year round. Major cultural sights include Crouse Performance Hall, Encore Theatre, Memorial Hall, and the Town Square. Built in 1977, Crouse Performance Hall is home to the Lima Symphony Orchestra and hosts other concerts, as well as hosting touring Broadway shows. The City Club is located in a recently renovated building that borders Crouse, hosting a jazz n......middle of paper......in my early years, my parents and I, followed by three younger siblings I occupied a 2 bedroom apartment downtown, then a small farm in Ada, my brothers are also two young people to remember. My father took over ownership of the company years ago as the business grew, we became wealthier, and in 1997 we moved back to Lima and to a large 6 bedroom house in the Market Street Historic District. Since then, my parents have often supported the arts and in particular the Lima Symphony Orchestra. I now live in the same apartment above the business we occupied as a family years ago, while I attend university. Based on my experience, the American Dream is highly valued in Lima, Ohio. It's not a place where you can make easy money, but for those who are willing to work hard, there's no reason why they shouldn't achieve success.