After a flurry of annexation and construction in the last few decades, the population of this suburban city stands at 45,000, ten times what it was in 1990. And yet the story of Westfield goes back some 200 years, to the 1830s when Quakers relocated here from the Carolinas. Opposed to slavery, these settlers are …
In the first decades of the 19th century, before the locks were built in Louisville, New Albany was one of the largest cities in the Midwest and a vital stop on the Underground Railroad. This growth was powered by shipyards building steamboats, and New Albany had a high reputation for the workmanship of its vessels. …
A city known for its preserved architecture and early recording industry, Richmond is in east central Indiana, right on the boundary with Ohio. The early history of Richmond is tied to the National Road, which, after opening in 1833, brought many immigrant families through the city and Wayne County on their long journey west. In …
The county seat of Elkhart County is a lovable city with a neatly preserved downtown area and sprawling green space along the Elkhart River. As with much of the county, the main industry in Goshen is vehicle and RV manufacturing, and companies like Keystone, Forest River and Dutchmen have facilities here. There’s also a sizable …
If you could design the perfect historic downtown it might look a bit like the seat of Lake County in Northwest Indiana. The preserved heart of this city is set around a palatial courthouse dating to 1880, and the surrounding old brick storefronts contain family-run shops for knick-knacks and one of a kind gifts. Just …
At the mouth of Trail Creek, this historic waterfront city sits on the southeast shore of Lake Michigan, and attracts tourists from across the region in summer. Michigan City’s plus points are undeniable, with a fine sandy beach, a luxury outlet mall, a casino resort and proximity to a national park. You can use the …
In Northwest Indiana’s Porter County, Valparaiso is a city named for a battle during the War of 1812, fought by naval commander David Porter. Valpo, for short, is home to the Lutheran Valparaiso University, which was one of the first coeducational colleges in the United States when it was founded in 1859. Head for the …
Around halfway between Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, the city Marion is the seat of Grant County and has plenty of interesting stories to tell. This is the birthplace of James Dean and Garfield creator Jim Davis, and you can follow trails in Grant County for both figures. Marion’s golden age coincided with the Indiana gas …
Bordered by farmland in Northwest Indiana, Hobart is a city with a beautiful setting on the shores of Lake George. Walkable downtown Hobart is edged by Lakefront Park so you can go to the waterfront for a stroll after browsing the shops and getting something to eat. There’s often something going on in Hobart in …
An industrial city in Northwest Indiana, East Chicago is commanded by the immense Indiana Harbor and Ship Canal, linking the Grand Calumet River with Lake Michigan. Since the arrival of the Inland Steel Corporation in 1903, the local economy has been driven by the steel industry, although the crisis of 1974-1986 led to a sharp …