A community's history tells the story of people who worked to see change and innovation and growth. They are the local legends whose names filled history books. They are the everyday citizens remembered because they consistently offered simple kindnesses, or reliable service. Perhaps it is innovation and invention, such as George Westinghouse 's. Or it may be business acumen, as seen in Andrew Carnegie or Henry Frick .
Political activism is another way to distinguish oneself in the community.
Father Cox used radio broadcasts from his pulpit at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in the Strip District to organize people to stand against inadequate housing and unfair labor practices. It is a lesson in perspective, since industrial giants like Andrew Carnegie helped to build a strong economy and contributed to many of the city's cultural outlets. Yet from the perspective of a mill worker living in a cramped company house, that same industrialist could be viewed as a rich man living off the underpaid labor of poor immigrants. To the immigrants, the mill worker who challenges authority and demands higher wages for all the workers may be considered the hero of the story. Sometimes place names commemorate their achievements and contributions.