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La Porte, Indiana

La Porte is a city in LaPorte County, Indiana, United States, of which it is the county seat. Its population was estimated to be 21,341 in 2022. It is one of the two principal cities of the Michigan City-La Porte, Indiana metropolitan statistical area, which is included in the Chicago–Naperville–Michigan City, Illinois–Indiana–Wisconsin combined statistical area.

La Porte is located in northwest Indiana, east of Gary, and west of South Bend. It was first settled by European Americans in 1832. The city is twinned with Grangemouth in Scotland.

History
The settlement of La Porte was established in July 1832. Abraham P. Andrew, one of the purchasers of the site, constructed the first sawmill in that year. The first settler arrived in October, building a permanent cabin just north of what would become the courthouse square.

After the US extinguished land claims by the Potowatomi and other historic tribes of the area by treaty and removal to Indian Territory, in 1833, a federal land office was established in La Porte. People came to this office from newly established surrounding counties to buy land from the government, including Solon Robinson, founder of Crown Point. The office was moved to Winamac in 1839.

By 1835, the settlement had grown to the extent that La Porte was incorporated as a town. A newspaper was established in 1836. La Porte Medical School, the first of its kind in the Midwest, was founded in 1842. An alumnus of school, William Worrall Mayo, established what became the famed Mayo Clinic in Minnesota in 1889.

By 1852, La Porte had become a well-established settlement of considerable size for its time and vicinity, with 5,000 residents. In that same year, it was granted a city charter by the Indiana General Assembly, and the first mayor was elected. La Porte continued to grow, attracting numerous, diverse industries, the largest of which became the Advance-Rumely Company. Advance-Rumely developed and manufactured the Oil-Pull tractor engine, considered to have played a pivotal role in the agricultural development of the Great Plains. By 1869, Advance-Rumely was the largest employer in La Porte.

During the 1850s, numerous maple trees were planted along Indiana and Michigan Avenues in the city by local resident Sebastian Lay. Subsequently, La Porte became known as the "Maple City". Today, Indiana and Michigan Avenues comprise a historic district in the city, containing many homes and other structures of architectural and historical interest. Between 1892 and 1894, the third and current LaPorte county courthouse was erected at a cost of $300,000. The structure is built of red sandstone from Lake Superior, shipped by boat to Michigan City and then by rail to La Porte. The courthouse is considered to be one of La Porte's best-known structures. In 2007 the exterior of the building was extensively restored at a cost of $2.9 million.

Historic sites districts

 * Downtown LaPorte Historic District
 * Francis H. Morrison House
 * Indiana and Michigan Avenues Historic District
 * Marion Ridgeway Polygonal Barn

Geography
According to the 2010 census, La Porte has a total area of 12.37 sqmi, of which 0.71 sqmi (or 5.74%) is covered by water. U.S. 35 passes through La Porte.

La Porte is accessible from Chicago by the South Shore train line, which begins at Millennium Station and ends in Michigan City, Indiana, with several stops in between, including Chesterton and Hudson Lake, Indiana. Both are only a short drive from La Porte.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, 22,053 people, 8,962 households, and 5,362 families resided in the city. The population density was 1891.3 PD/sqmi. The 9,992 housing units had an average density of 856.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 83.1% White, 3.6% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 12.9% from other or unknown races, and 7.5% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 12% of the population.

Of the 8,962 households, 31.6% had children under 18 living with them, 39.2% were married couples living together, 14.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.2% were not families. About 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.39, and the average family size was 3.04. The median age in the city was 36.2 years. 24.5% of residents were under 18; 9.5% were between 18 and 24; 26.7% were from 25 to 44; 24.2% were from 45 to 64; and 15.3% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.2% male and 51.8% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, 21,621 people, 8,916 households, and 5,545 families lived in the city. The population density was 1,886.8 PD/sqmi. The 9,667 housing units had an average density of 843.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 92.6% White, 1.92% African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 3.39% from other races, and 1.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 6.52% of the population.

Of the 8,916 households, 29.8% had children under 18 living with them, 45.4% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were not families. About 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.36, and the average family size was 2.98.

In the city, the age distribution was 24.5% under 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% who were 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,376, and for a family was $45,784. Males had a median income of $32,319 versus $22,756 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,900. About 7.7% of families and 11.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.2% of those under 18 and 13.1% of those 65 or over.

Government

The government consists of a mayor and a city council. The mayor and two council members are elected in a citywide (at-large) vote. Five of the seven city council members are elected from individual districts.

Education
The La Porte Community School Corporation serves about 6,500 students.

Primary and secondary education

 * Public schools
 * La Porte Community Schools
 * La Porte High School
 * La Porte Middle School
 * Kesling Intermediate School
 * Crichfield Elementary
 * Hailmann Elementary
 * Handley Elementary
 * Indian Trail Elementary
 * Kingsbury Elementary
 * Kingsford Heights Elementary
 * Lincoln Elementary
 * Riley Elementary
 * South LaPorte County Special Education Cooperative
 * Private schools
 * La Lumiere School (9–12)
 * Saint John Lutheran School (K–8)
 * St. Joseph's School (PK–5) – closed June, 2012
 * Door Prairie Adventist Christian School (PK–8)
 * Renaissance Academy (PK–8)

With eight state baseball titles, La Porte High School holds the distinction of winning the greatest number in Indiana.

Higher education
La Porte County, of which the city of La Porte is the county seat, has a campus of Purdue Northwest in Westville IN. The campus is 11 miles west of the city of La Porte.

Public library
The city has a public library, a branch of the La Porte County Public Library.

Features
The Advance-Rumely tractor company, established in La Porte, developed steam engines and eponymous green kerosene tractors.

La Porte has been featured in an occasional movie, including Prancer (1989), A Piece of Eden (2000), Treadmill (2006), Providence (2009), and Women's Prison (2009).

La Porte was once the home of the Parsons Horological Institute, founded in the 1890s and still extant as part of Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois.

La Porte was the eastern terminus of the Chicago – New York Electric Air Line Railroad, an ambitious early high-speed rail project.

Author J. K. Rowling has a Portkey (Key to the city) for La Porte. It was presented to her by Emerson Spartz.

Places of interest
Places of interest include the Indiana and Michigan Avenues Historic District, Downtown LaPorte Historic District, Francis H. Morrison House and Marion Ridgeway Polygonal Barn, all of which are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

La Porte Little Theatre Club, a live community theatre group, was founded in 1925. LaPorte County Historical Society features several historic displays including the Kesling Automobile Collection of more than 30 vintage and rare automobiles.

Parks and recreation
La Porte has an extensive city park district.

 * Allesee Park, (Boyd Boulevard) – is a 6-acre neighborhood park on the south side of the city. It was developed adjacent to a housing subdivision to provide recreational facilities to the neighborhood. The Park was named after George Allesee Sr (18989-1968). The City of La Porte designated the land to be a park and named it after George shortly after his passing. George Allesee was the long time Physical Director of the La Porte YMCA, He also broadcast La Porte Slicers Games on the Radio for 50 years, was the PA Announcer for Sunday Baseball at FOX Park, and for Parochial Football at Kiwanis Field in La Porte. George Allesee Coached many Baseball, Basketball, and Volleyball teams for the YMCA that won state championships. George was the founder of the La Porte Old Timers Baseball association and The La Porte Baseball Hall of Fame. He also played Minor League Baseball after playing High School Football, Basketball, and Baseball. His oldest son also named George was also a well known La Portean as a Sub Teacher for many years after being a History Teacher. His youngest son Tom Allesee played college basketball for the Indiana Hoosiers. The park includes a baseball diamond, basketball half-court, benches, parking, playground, and a walking track. Improvements were made in 2000 thanks to a donation by Richard Allesee (one of his sons) to the La Porte Park Foundation.
 * Ben Rees Park, (Scott Street) – is a 1.5-acre parcel that is half of a square block located near the Civic Auditorium. The park was the site of the Fourth Ward School in the early 1900s. The school was demolished in the 1920s and the property was donated to the city in the 1940s. The park was named in honor of Ben C. Rees, a local attorney and school board member. A new playground, basketball court and gazebo shelter were installed through the help of community volunteers and contributions.
 * Bill Reed Tennis Complex (2150 A Street) – features several tennis courts, parking, water fountains and a pavilion.
 * Charles W. Lindewald Park, (Park Street) – is considered La Porte's first park. A parcel of land, 9.4 acres on Lower Lake, was purchased in 1890. The original parcel contained a notable grove of white oaks, of which a few stands of this native timber still remains. Facilities include a picnic shelter with grills, playground, restrooms, water fountains, ball diamond, basketball half-court and 12 lighted horseshoe pits, which are home to the La Porte Horseshoe Pitches Association.
 * Clarke Field, (Farrand Avenue) – is a two square block area of 6 acres that was a donation to the city in the late 1930s. The park is generally surrounded with tall, mature fir evergreen trees that provide a buffer for the adjacent residential areas. The main recreational usage at Clarke Field are two ball diamonds, one used primarily by the La Porte High School junior varsity and La Porte Babe Ruth Baseball and the other for younger age levels. The park also contains a playground, ball diamonds, a concession stand, water fountains, and public restrooms.
 * Fox Memorial Park, (Truesdale Avenue) – originally started in 1911 with only 15 acres, has grown today to 170 acres. In the early 1900s, flowers, shrubs, and trees were planted to further beautify the hills of mature oak, hawthorn and wild apple. The entire park was landscaped and strolling paths developed. Fox Memorial Park includes Clear Lake, which encompasses approximately 100 acres of the total park. The trees planted in the early 1900s have matured and additional recreational facilities have been developed at the park. The park has ball diamonds, including Ron Reed Field; basketball; playgrounds; picnic shelters with grills; fishing; boating; water fountains; walking and fitness trials; and Thrills ‘n’ Spills Skate Park. The park also contains the Dennis F. Smith Amphitheatre, home to events such as the Arts in the Park program.
 * Hastings Park (Monroe St.) – is a small park, featuring a playground and benches.
 * Kesling Park (2150 A Street) – is located on the southern edge of the community. It started with a small 2-acre land donation and has since grown through additional donations by the Kesling family to the present day size of 90 acres. Today, residents from all of La Porte enjoy the modern facilities including four ball diamonds, six tennis courts, a walking and nature trail, soccer fields, basketball courts, sledding hill and picnic shelters. The park also contains Fort La Play Porte, a large community-built playground.
 * Koomler Park (Miller Street) – covers 4 acres in southern La Porte. It was initially a play area developed by the federal government in the 1940s for children of the workers at the Kingsbury Ordinance Plant. In 1962, this land was transferred to the city for exclusive use as a park. Today, Koomler Park serves the residents of Maple Terrace and offers a ball diamond, basketball court and playground.
 * LaPark (1st Street) – is adjacent to Bethany Lutheran Church.
 * Rumley Park (Home Street) is a 4-acre neighborhood park that was purchased and developed entirely with federal funds in 1980. It was actually a replacement park for the former Marquette Park, which was located four blocks away. Marquette Park was a piece of donated land that was unsuitable and unbuildable for a park. Rumley Park offers a basketball court, playground, picnic facilities and fishing.
 * Scott Field (Jefferson Avenue) – was the result of another land donation of a developer. Originally, in the layout of Scott's Second Addition, 5 acres in the middle of the new housing development was left as a neighborhood play area. The land was donated to the City of La Porte in 1923. It was not until 1952 that the Park Department entered a 99-year lease, for $1 per year, with the school corporation. The park currently includes a shelter, playground, ball diamond, open play, half-court basketball and picnic facilities.
 * Soldiers Memorial Park (250 Pine Lake Ave.) – was dedicated in 1928 and contains 556 acres. It is the largest city park and known for its trees, water sports and organized recreational activities. The park encompasses all of Stone Lake, 140 acres of water and all but 628 feet of shoreline. Also the park provides a variety of active and passive recreational activities including swimming, playgrounds, diamond sports (softball, baseball and t-ball), volleyball, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, fishing and boating. The property is approximately 85 percent woodlands and water. Access is available to Stone Lake, Pine Lake, Crane Lake and Craven Pond. Nature trails have been developed through a stand of native trees, allowing environmental education opportunities. Soldiers Memorial Park is also the site of the Park Department Office and maintenance facilities, as well as Cummings Lodge.
 * Stone Lake Beach (300 Grangemouth Drive) – is a public beach with a volleyball courts, playground, picnic shelter, concession stand, and public restrooms.
 * Warsaw Tot Lot (Warsaw Street) – is a small playground of less than 1 acre in size. The triangular piece of land was donated to the city in 1946 and was developed in 1980 with funding from a federal grant. The play equipment has been recently updated thanks to a donation from the La Porte Park Foundation. Park also has a basketball half-court.
 * Pine Lake Beach (Pine Lake Avenue) – is a public beach with picnic tables, a newly built walk-way across the beach, and a picnic shelter including a grill.
 * Ski-Beach (Waverly Road) – is a public beach with picnic tables and grills. This beach is commonly used by boaters, and has a channel connecting Pine Lake to Stone Lake.

 * Lakes
 * Clear Lake
 * Crane Lake
 * Fish Trap Lake
 * Horseshoe Lake
 * Lily Lake
 * Lower Lake
 * Orr Lake
 * Pine Lake
 * Stone Lake

 * Golf
 * Legacy Hills Golf Club
 * Beechwood Golf Course
 * Briar Leaf Golf Club

 * Public activities
 * Fitness Fridays
 * Saturdays in the Sun
 * Saturday Farmers Market
 * TacoFest
 * Cruise Night
 * LakeFest

Print
The LaPorte Herald-Argus is the only newspaper directly serving La Porte, but it has been combined with The News Dispatch to form The Herald Dispatch.

Broadcast
La Porte receives television and radio broadcasts from Chicago and South Bend.

Radio
WCOE, 96.7 FM, WLOI, 1540 AM and Rock, 106.5 FM

In the 1990s, WCOE was a broadcast home to the area NBA Chicago Bulls.

Notable people

 * Dick Alban – former National Football League defensive back and Pro-Bowler
 * Abram Andrew – United States Representative from Massachusetts
 * Chuck Baldwin – Baptist minister and 2008 Presidential nominee of the Constitution Party
 * Chris Bootcheck – Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
 * Anne E. Carpenter – American scientist and the co-creator of CellProfiler
 * John C. Chapple – Wisconsin legislator and newspaper editor
 * Dorothy Christ – All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player
 * Art Cross – former race-car driver; first rookie of the year at the Indianapolis 500
 * Brian Ebersole – mixed martial arts veteran; UFC welterweight division fighter
 * Daniel Edwards – figurative sculptor and artist
 * Charlie O. Finley – owner of the Kansas City and Oakland Athletics 1960–80
 * Belle Gunness – serial killer active from 1884 to 1908
 * John D. Hancock – stage and film director, producer and writer
 * Harold Handley – 40th governor of Indiana, served from 1957 to 1961
 * Hazel Harrison – pianist, known as the premiere black pianist of her time
 * Royal R. Ingersoll – U.S. Navy rear admiral
 * Paul Rowland Julian – meteorologist who with Roland A. Madden discovered the atmospheric phenomenon known as the Madden–Julian oscillation
 * Peter Kesling – orthodontist known for the development of the tip-edge orthodontic appliance
 * Karl Paul Link – biochemist best known for his discovery of the anticoagulant warfarin
 * William Worrall Mayo – founder of the Mayo Clinic
 * Henrietta Meeteer – Latin and Greek professor and dean at Swarthmore College
 * Alvera Mickelsen – writer and advocate of Christian feminism
 * Douglas J. Moo – New Testament scholar
 * Patrick Neary – Roman Catholic priest and bishop
 * Isamu Noguchi – Japanese-American artist and landscape architect
 * Tom Nowatzke – former National Football League running back
 * Tony Raines – NASCAR driver
 * Ron Reed – Major League Baseball pitcher, an All-Star and World Series champion
 * John G. Roberts – current Chief Justice of the United States
 * William Scholl – founder of Dr. Scholl's
 * Scott Skiles – National Basketball Association head coach for Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls and Orlando Magic
 * Emerson Spartz – founder of MuggleNet, a Harry Potter fan website, and GivesMeHope
 * Wilbur F. Storey – newspaper publisher, Detroit Free Press and Chicago Times
 * Almon Brown Strowger – inventor of an electromechanical telephone exchange that became the Strowger switch
 * Miles Taylor (security expert)
 * Julius Travis – Justice of the Indiana Supreme Court
 * Dorothy Tristan – actress and screenwriter
 * David Willis – web cartoonist known for It's Walky!, Shortpacked!, and Dumbing of Age

title: La Porte, Indiana


text:
Long Beach, Indiana

Long Beach is a town in Michigan Township, LaPorte County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population of Long Beach was 1,179. It is included in the Michigan City, Indiana-La Porte, Indiana Metropolitan statistical area.

History
Long Beach was founded in the 1920s as a resort town. It was named for the sand beaches of Lake Michigan.

The Hoover-Timme House (1929), John and Isabel Burnham House (1934), and Lowell E. and Paula G. Jackson House (1938), were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.

Geography
According to the 2010 census, Long Beach has a total area of 3.15 sqmi, of which 1.06 sqmi (or 33.65%) is land and 2.09 sqmi (or 66.35%) is water.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 1,179 people, 555 households, and 366 families living in the town. The population density was 1112.3 PD/sqmi. There were 1,093 housing units at an average density of 1031.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 96.8% White, 1.4% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 0.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.6% of the population.

There were 555 households, of which 14.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.6% were married couples living together, 4.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.1% were non-families. 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.12 and the average family size was 2.64.

The median age in the town was 58 years. 14.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 10% were from 25 to 44; 39.6% were from 45 to 64; and 32.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 48.2% male and 51.8% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,559 people, 661 households, and 473 families living in the town. The population density was 1,495.7 PD/sqmi. There were 1,071 housing units at an average density of 1,027.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.69% White, 0.38% African American, 0.13% Native American, 1.03% Asian, and 0.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.71% of the population. The population of Long Beach boasts a large number of Irish Catholic descent.

There were 661 households, out of which 22.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.7% were married couples living together, 4.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.3% were non-families. 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 19.9% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 14.2% from 25 to 44, 35.2% from 45 to 64, and 25.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $71,364, and the median income for a family was $84,532. Males had a median income of $71,563 versus $41,250 for females. The per capita income for the town was $43,159. None of the families and 0.9% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and none of those over 64.

Education
Long Beach residents are served by the Michigan City Public Library. Long Beach residents may also request a free library card from any La Porte County Public Library branch.

Features
Located on the southeast shore of Lake Michigan, Long Beach is a residential community in a landscape of tree covered dunes. It has a shoreline of approximately 3 miles and a maximum depth of 3/4 miles. Residents tend to be a mixture of permanent residents and individuals visiting Long Beach on weekends or for the summer, the latter group mostly individuals from nearby Chicago.

Long Beach purchases municipal water from adjoining Michigan City and has few sewers and sidewalks. The majority of homes have septic systems for waste water disposal. It is a part of the Michigan City, Indiana public school system. The government includes a five-member town council, a clerk treasurer, a [police] department, a volunteer fire department, a parks department. Long Beach has a very small business center and a private golf course/country club, Long Beach Country Club.

Long Beach also has the old Long Beach School and uses it as the Community Center, which houses the Long Beach Fitness Center, now operated by the LaPorte County YMCA. The Fitness Center feature machine weights, strength training equipment, and cardio equipment. It also has an aerobics room for fitness classes such as pilates, cardio, and yoga. Personal training is an important part of the fitness programs. Anyone owning property in Long Beach, IN can access the Fitness Center.

Michigan City Transit's Route 3 Bus stops near the town's southern border at Karwick Plaza, immediately north of Karwick Road/Route 12 intersection. It links the town to South Shore Line's Carroll Avenue station Monday-Saturday and allows its residents to reach downtown Michigan City. The closest Amtrak station is located in downtown Michigan City, at 100 Washington Street.

Notable people
Long Beach was the childhood home of Chief Justice John Roberts and Siri founder Dag Kittlaus. Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, owned a home in Long Beach near Lake Michigan. Frank Lloyd Wright's son John Lloyd Wright lived here and established an architectural practice, designing many houses in the area.

Hal Higdon, noted American distance runner and author, also lives in Long Beach, Indiana.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Long Beach, Indiana


text:
Michiana Shores, Indiana

Michiana Shores is a town in Springfield and Michigan townships, LaPorte County, Indiana, United States. The population was 313 at the 2010 census. It is included in the Michigan City, Indiana-La Porte, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area. Michiana Shores is located in northwesternmost Springfield Township, and is the township's sole incorporated community.

Michiana Shores takes its name from the Michiana region along the Michigan-Indiana border.

Geography
According to the 2010 census, Michiana Shores has a total area of 0.35 sqmi, all land.

The town lies on the shore of Lake Michigan, just south of the Michigan state line. The town is adjacent to Michiana, Michigan, and also neighbors Long Beach, Indiana along the coast to the west.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 313 people, 161 households, and 93 families living in the town. The population density was 894.3 PD/sqmi. There were 340 housing units at an average density of 971.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.4% White, 0.3% Native American, and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.9% of the population.

There were 161 households, of which 11.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% were married couples living together, 3.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.2% were non-families. 37.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.94 and the average family size was 2.55.

The median age in the town was 57.8 years. 10.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 3.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 10.5% were from 25 to 44; 47.3% were from 45 to 64; and 27.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 49.2% male and 50.8% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 330 people, 162 households, and 99 families living in the town. The population density was 954.0 PD/sqmi. There were 339 housing units at an average density of 980.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 92.12% White, 0.30% African American, 0.30% Native American, 3.33% Asian, 0.30% from other races, and 3.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.21% of the population.

There were 162 households, out of which 16.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.7% were married couples living together, 5.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.3% were non-families. 32.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.04 and the average family size was 2.58.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 14.8% under the age of 18, 3.0% from 18 to 24, 22.1% from 25 to 44, 33.3% from 45 to 64, and 26.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $46,250, and the median income for a family was $64,750. Males had a median income of $42,333 versus $30,750 for females. The per capita income for the town was $30,633. None of the families and 2.5% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 4.9% of those over 64.

History
The inland part of Michiana Shores was the site of the logging town of Corymbo in the 1860s and 1870s. Corymbo, located on the Michigan Central railroad, was home to a mixture of lumbermen and railroad employees. A post office was established there in 1861, but had been discontinued by 1880. The land was owned by the local Burgwald family, which sold it in the 1920s to the Long Beach Land Company.

The modern-day beach community began to be developed in the 1930s, when developers Orphie Gotto and Clarence Mathias began to build it as a log cabin town for vacationers. Many of the early residents were schoolteachers from Chicago. The town was incorporated in 1947.

Education
Michiana Shores residents are served by the Michigan City Public Library. Michiana Shores residents may also request a free library card from any La Porte County Public Library branch.

title: Michiana Shores, Indiana


text:
Michigan City, Indiana

Michigan City is a city in LaPorte County, Indiana, United States. It had a population of 32,075 at the 2020 census. Located along Lake Michigan in the Michiana region, the city is about 45 mi east of Chicago and is 40 mi west of South Bend.

Michigan City is noted for both its proximity to Indiana Dunes National Park and for bordering Lake Michigan. It receives a fair amount of tourism during the summer, especially by residents of Chicago and nearby cities in Northern Indiana. It is connected to Chicago via the South Shore Line passenger train.

History
Michigan City's origins date to 1830, when the land for the city was first purchased by Isaac C. Elston, a real estate speculator who had made his fortune in Crawfordsville, Indiana. He paid about $200 total for 160 acre of land. The now-closed Elston Middle School, formerly Elston High School, was named after the founder.

The city was incorporated in 1836, by which point it had 1,500 residents, along with a post office, a newspaper, a church, a commercial district and ten hotels. In these six years the town had grown to a size of 15 sqmi. That same year, the State Bank of Indiana opened a branch in town.

Michigan City hosted the sailing competitions of the 1987 Pan American Games on Lake Michigan. Indianapolis, roughly 150 mi southeast, was the host city.

Geography
According to the 2010 census, Michigan City has an area of 22.855 sqmi, of which 19.59 sqmi (or 85.71%) is land and 3.265 sqmi (or 14.29%) is water.

Michigan City is home to Trail Creek, which flows into Lake Michigan.

Climate
The highest recorded temperature was 104 F in 1953. The lowest recorded temperature was -23 F in 1994.

The city has a usual weather pattern for a temperate region, with thunderstorms in the summer and snow during winter. Summers are often warm and humid. Due to its location next to Lake Michigan the city frequently experiences lake-effect snows and rain showers.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 31,479 people, 12,136 households, and 7,147 families living in the city. The population density was 1606.9 PD/sqmi. There were 14,435 housing units at an average density of 736.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 64.9% White, 28.1% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 2.1% from other races, and 3.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.9% of the population.

There were 12,136 households, of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.4% were married couples living together, 19.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.1% were non-families. 34.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 3.05.

The median age in the city was 37.1 years. 23.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.8% were from 25 to 44; 26.2% were from 45 to 64; and 13.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.4% male and 48.6% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 32,900 people, 12,550 households, and 7,906 families living in the city. The population density was 1,678.6 PD/sqmi. There were 14,221 housing units at an average density of 725.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 69.45% White, 26.31% African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.10% from other races, and 2.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.15% of the population.

There were 12,550 households, out of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.0% were married couples living together, 18.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were non-families. 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.0% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,732, and the median income for a family was $39,520. Males had a median income of $32,194 versus $23,125 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,995. About 10.4% of families and 13.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.2% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.

Points of interest

Michigan City is the home of the Old Michigan City Light; and the newer currently functioning one which is Indiana's only lighthouse.

The Pullman-Standard rail car plant was located in Michigan City.

Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets mall, opened in 1987 on the city's North end, is an outdoor mall. Marquette Mall, constructed in 1965, was Michigan City's sole indoor shopping mall.

Franciscan Health Michigan City is Michigan City's main hospital, located just off of the 94 highway.

Michigan City also houses a zoo, and art center, and also is the home of the Indiana State Prison.

Michigan City also has one of the nation's oldest active municipal bands. Free concerts are performed for the public every Thursday evening at the Guy F. Foreman Amphitheatre located in Washington Park.

The eastern edge of Indiana Dunes National Park is also located in Michigan City. Features include Mount Baldy, a large wandering dune. A larger dune, Hoosier Slide, sat at the site of the current electrical generating station. This dune was mined for its sand in the late 19th century. The sand found on the beaches in and near Michigan City is nicknamed "singing sand" because of the sound it produces.

Michigan City Power Plant lies along the shore of Lake Michigan west of the downtown core. The cooling tower of the coal burning plant is visible for miles around and is often mistaken for a nuclear power plant.

Michigan City is home to the largest riverboat casino in Indiana, the Blue Chip Casino. In 2009, the Blue Chip complex added a 22-story hotel, which is the biggest building in northwest Indiana. Michigan City has also added a new skatepark at Pullman Field to its tourism offerings.

In the 2000s and 2010s, Michigan City has been working on revitalizing much of its north end, which contains the oldest portions of the city. One plan that has been discussed is the Andrews Plan, which won the 2008 CNU Charter Award of Excellence. Most of the discussion centers on maintaining and expanding open and accessible park areas on Lake Michigan and along Trail Creek.

The Barker House, John H. Barker Mansion, Elston Grove Historic District, First Congregational Church of Michigan City, Franklin Street Commercial Historic District, Garrettson-Baine-Bartholomew House, Haskell and Barker Historic District, Michigan City East Pierhead Light Tower and Elevated Walk, Old Michigan City Light, Michigan City Post Office, SS Muskegan Shipwreck Site, and Washington Park are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Government

Michigan City has a Democratic Government, like the other cities in the United States.

Education
Michigan City Area Schools, the city's public school system, includes one high school (Michigan City High School), two middle schools, and eight elementary schools. Michigan City previously also had three parochial high schools – Marquette, La Lumiere, and Duneland Lutheran but, due to a lack of funds, Duneland Lutheran closed down at the end of the 2008/2009 school year. There are several parochial elementary schools in the city, including St. Paul Lutheran School, St. Stanislaus Kostka School, Queen Of All Saints School, and Notre Dame Catholic School. Sadly, St Paul Lutheran School closed down in the 21/22 school year.

At one time Michigan City had two public high schools: M.C. Elston High School (Red Devils) (Elston was the name of one of the middle schools located in the city and was located at the former Elston High School), and M.C. Rogers High School (Raiders). The two schools combined after the 1994–1995 school year – the first graduating class was the Class of 1996 – and now constitute the present day Michigan City High School (Wolves). The school is located at the former Rogers High School site. Elston Middle School, along with elementary school Niemann, closed at the end of the 2013/2014 school year.

Michigan City has a lending library, the Michigan City Public Library. In addition, the La Porte County Public Library operates the Coolspring branch library just outside Michigan City city limits.

Newspaper
The La Porte County Herald-Dispatch is Michigan City's only subscription newspaper, covering the city and the surrounding municipalities in LaPorte and Porter counties. The Beacher is a Michigan City-based weekly newspaper that covers Beverly Shores, Michigan City, Long Beach, LaPorte, Michiana and New Buffalo.

Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times and South Bend Tribune are distributed throughout Michigan City. Off the Water, a free weekly art and entertainment newspaper published by Niles, Michigan-based Leader Publications, primarily focuses on Niles-Benton Harbor Metropolitan Statistical Area, but it is distributed in downtown Michigan City.

Broadcast
Michigan City is in Chicago's Area of Dominant Influence. Radio and television broadcasts from both Chicago and South Bend reach most of the population.

Radio
Michigan City also has one FM radio station, WEFM FM 95.9 and one AM radio station, WIMS AM 1420. (Which is also heard on FM translator W236BD 95.1 FM).

Television
The city has one Government-access television (GATV) station, Access LaPorte County, as well as one channel operated by the local school system (MCAS).

Rail

Michigan City is a major stop along the South Shore Line, one of the last interurban rail lines in the U.S. Until 2021, the train ran directly through on 11th Street (it had no separate right-of-way, and shared the street with automobiles and other road traffic), making two stops in Michigan City's downtown area (11th Street and Carroll Avenue). A third stop, at Willard Avenue and 10th Street, closed in 1994. This rail line connects Michigan City with downtown Chicago westward as well as the South Bend Regional Airport to the east.

Prior to April 4, 2022, Amtrak served the city with Wolverine trains, which ran from Chicago to Detroit, and Pontiac three times a day in each direction, filling in several gaps in South Shore Line's weekday service and augmenting weekend service. While Wolverine trains were faster than South Shore Line trains, the South Shore Line was cheaper and ran more frequently. Currently, Amtrak trains pass through Michigan City without stopping and the nearest Amtrak station is New Buffalo, Michigan, about ten miles away.

Bus
Michigan City operates a bus service. Officially known as Michigan City Transit, it is made up of four routes that run on Monday-Saturday. All routes originate at Michigan City Public Library and travel around the city in (largely mono-directional) loops until they return to the library. Route 3 connects to Carroll Avenue South Shore Line station, while other routes connect to the 11th street station. In addition, Route 1 passes near the Amtrak station on the way to Washington Park. Michigan City also operates a Dial-a-Bus service.

Coach USA's Indiana Airport SuperSaver service between The University of Notre Dame and O'Hare airport stopped at Michigan City at the La Porte County Convention and Visitors Bureau at Marquette Mall (4073 S. Franklin St). The service made stops at Notre Dame, South Bend, Portage, Highland, Crestwood and O'Hare and Midway airports. Buses ran from 4:10 am – 1:10 am (US Central Time). Buses ran once every hour in both direction between Michigan City and O'Hare and Midway and once every two hours between Michigan City and Notre Dame. On December 10, 2019, Coach USA announced it will cease operations of its Indiana Airport SuperSaver service effective January 1, 2020.

Air
Michigan City Municipal Airport has a 4,100 foot asphalt runway and averages 118 operations per week.

Options for commercial air service include the South Bend International Airport in South Bend. The South Shore Line terminates at the South Bend airport, while there is a train stop serving the Gary airport.

Notable people

 * Jean Baptiste Point du Sable is regarded as the first permanent resident of Chicago, Illinois. In 1779, he was living on the site of present-day Michigan City, Indiana, when he was arrested by the British military on suspicion of being an American sympathizer in the American Revolutionary War.
 * Daniel D. Bruce, United States Marine who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in Vietnam in March 1969
 * Howard G. "Ward" Cunningham, author, software developer and inventor of the word and concept of the "wiki"
 * William C. Eddy, Captain Eddy was a career Naval officer and engineer, educator, inventor, entrepreneur, explorer and writer.
 * Marilla Waite Freeman was the first Librarian of the Michigan City Public Library upon its opening in 1897.
 * Jarrod Jones (born 1990), American-Hungarian basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
 * Allan Spear, eminent U.S. historian and political progressive, author, Black Chicago: The Making of a Negro Ghetto; president Minnesota State Senate, early advocate for gay people

Actors

 * Charles Arnt, actor
 * Anne Baxter, Academy Award-winning actress
 * Rati Gupta, dancer and actress known for her recurring role as Anu, the fiancée of Raj Koothrappali in the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory.

Journalist/Writers

 * Alvera Mickelsen, writer, journalism professor, advocate of Christian feminism, and co-founder of Christians for Biblical Equality (CBE)
 * Achy Obejas, writer and journalist
 * Amy Spindler, fashion critic and style editor of The New York Times Magazine
 * Ted Thorne, Chicago news anchor, local radio host

Politicians

 * Naomi Anderson, a black suffragist
 * Richard G. Hatcher, mayor of Gary, Indiana
 * John Huppenthal, Republican State senator in the Arizona State Legislature
 * David E. Lilienthal, Chairman of the Tennessee Valley Authority 1941–1946; Chairman, U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, 1947–1949
 * Zeola Hershey Misener, suffragist and one of the first women elected to the Indiana General Assembly
 * Scott Pelath, former Indiana House of Representatives member
 * John L. Sieb, member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, barber

Sports

 * Braden Fiske, Los Angeles Rams football player
 * Abe Gibron, Chicago Bears football player and head coach
 * Anita King, racecar driver, actress, and thoroughbred racehorse owner
 * Mike LaRocco, professional Supercross and Motocross racer
 * Don Larsen, Major League Baseball pitcher
 * John Parry, former National Football League official
 * Donnie Thomas, former linebacker for the New England Patriots

Artists

 * Charles Freeman Lee, jazz trumpeter in the 1950s and 1960s, taught Science at Krueger School in Michigan City after retiring from music

title: Michigan City, Indiana


text:
Pottawattamie Park, Indiana

Pottawattamie Park is a town in Michigan Township, LaPorte County, Indiana, United States. The population was 235 at the 2010 census. It is included in the Michigan City, Indiana-La Porte, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
Pottawattamie Park was incorporated in 1936 on land once inhabited by the Potawatomi Indians.

Geography
Pottawattamie Park is completely surrounded by the city of Michigan City.

According to the 2010 census, Pottawattamie Park has a total area of 0.25 sqmi, all land.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 235 people, 102 households, and 68 families living in the town. The population density was 940.0 PD/sqmi. There were 111 housing units at an average density of 444.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 92.3% White, 7.2% African American, and 0.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.4% of the population.

There were 102 households, of which 21.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.8% were married couples living together, 3.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 1.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.3% were non-families. 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.76.

The median age in the town was 53.1 years. 18.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.8% were from 25 to 44; 32.4% were from 45 to 64; and 25.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 47.7% male and 52.3% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 300 people, 121 households, and 86 families living in the town. The population density was 1,196.9 PD/sqmi. There were 127 housing units at an average density of 506.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 80.00% White, 16.33% African American, 0.67% Asian, 1.33% from other races, and 1.67% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.67% of the population.

There were 121 households, out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.0% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.1% were non-families. 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 21.7% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 22.3% from 25 to 44, 28.7% from 45 to 64, and 22.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $37,500, and the median income for a family was $46,750. Males had a median income of $63,750 versus $22,292 for females. The per capita income for the town was $24,383. About 3.4% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.9% of those under the age of eighteen and 4.5% of those 65 or over.

title: Pottawattamie Park, Indiana


text:
Trail Creek, Indiana

Trail Creek is a town in Coolspring and Michigan townships, LaPorte County, Indiana, United States. The population was 2,052 at the 2010 census. It is included in the Michigan City, Indiana-La Porte, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
Trail Creek was founded upon the river Trail Creek, from which it took its name. It was incorporated as a town in 1924.

Geography
According to the 2010 census, Trail Creek has a total area of 1.21 sqmi, all land.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 2,052 people, 885 households, and 585 families living in the town. The population density was 1695.9 PD/sqmi. There were 933 housing units at an average density of 771.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 91.2% White, 5.5% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 1.2% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.3% of the population.

There were 885 households, of which 24.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.7% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.9% were non-families. 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.85.

The median age in the town was 46.5 years. 19.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.3% were from 25 to 44; 30.9% were from 45 to 64; and 21.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 50.4% male and 49.6% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,296 people, 932 households, and 699 families living in the town. The population density was 1,884.6 PD/sqmi. There were 956 housing units at an average density of 784.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 95.12% White, 2.70% African American, 0.48% Asian, 0.22% from other races, and 1.48% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.22% of the population.

There were 932 households, out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.6% were married couples living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.0% were non-families. 22.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 21.7% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 27.3% from 45 to 64, and 20.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $43,750, and the median income for a family was $51,098. Males had a median income of $41,250 versus $26,031 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,289. About 3.0% of families and 5.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.3% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.

Features
Trail Creek is home to Nelson Park, which has two baseball fields, a basketball court, a swingset and jungle gym. The name derives from Trail Creek, a creek which empties into Lake Michigan, forming the harbor for Michigan City, Indiana. This creek served as a trail to the interior of LaPorte County.

Education
Trail Creek residents are served by the Michigan City Public Library. Trail Creek residents may also request a free library card from any La Porte County Public Library branch.

title: Trail Creek, Indiana


text:
Wanatah, Indiana

Wanatah is a town in LaPorte County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,048 at the 2010 census.

History
The first settlements were made at Wanatah in the 1850s when the railroad was extended to that point. Wanatah was platted in 1865. It was named for Wanata, a Native American leader.

Geography
According to the 2010 census, Wanatah has a total area of 1.42 sqmi, all land.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 1,048 people, 436 households, and 295 families living in the town. The population density was 738.0 PD/sqmi. There were 459 housing units at an average density of 323.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 96.9% White, 0.1% African American, 1.0% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.2% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.0% of the population.

There were 436 households, of which 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.7% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 32.3% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.91.

The median age in the town was 40.2 years. 22.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.9% were from 25 to 44; 32.1% were from 45 to 64; and 12.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 50.0% male and 50.0% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,013 people, 399 households, and 298 families living in the town. The population density was 739.2 PD/sqmi. There were 411 housing units at an average density of 299.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98.03% White, 0.10% African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.10% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.07% of the population.

There were 399 households, out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.7% were married couples living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.3% were non-families. 21.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.6% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $50,625, and the median income for a family was $54,554. Males had a median income of $41,667 versus $26,250 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,945. About 3.6% of families and 5.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.1% of those under age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over.

Education
The town is served by the Wanatah Public Library. Wanatah residents may also request a free library card from any La Porte County Public Library branch.

Notable person

 * Sean Manaea, baseball player

title: Wanatah, Indiana


text:
Westville, Indiana

Westville is a town in New Durham Township, LaPorte County, Indiana, United States. The population, as of the 2020 census is 5,257. It is included in the Michigan City, Indiana-La Porte, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area. Westville is located in Northwest Indiana, also known as The Region.

History
Westville was platted in 1851, and incorporated as a town in 1864. It was a station and shipping point at the junction of two railroads.

Rev. John Milton Whitehead lived in Westville at the time of his enlistment as a chaplain in the 15th Indiana Infantry Regiment. Whitehead received the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Stones River when he "went to the front during a desperate contest and unaided carried to the rear several wounded and helpless soldiers."

The Everel S. Smith House was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.

Geography
According to the 2010 census, Westville has a total area of 3.09 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
Note that the census data for 2010 and later include the Westville Correctional Facility.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 5,853 people, 1,093 households, and 705 families living in the town. The population density was 1894.2 PD/sqmi. There were 1,186 housing units at an average density of 383.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 72.1% White, 25.1% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 1.6% from other races, and 0.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.3% of the population.

There were 1,093 households, of which 34.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.1% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 7.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.5% were non-families. 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.97.

The median age in the town was 33.1 years. 12% of residents were under the age of 18; 13.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 47.3% were from 25 to 44; 21.4% were from 45 to 64; and 5.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 76.9% male and 23.1% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,116 people, 897 households, and 556 families living in the town. The population density was 677.0 PD/sqmi. There were 984 housing units at an average density of 314.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 96.27% White, 1.23% African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.71% from other races, and 1.23% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.90% of the population.

There were 898 households, out of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.4% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.0% were non-families. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.0% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $36,761, and the median income for a family was $44,524. Males had a median income of $33,906 versus $21,525 for females. The per capita income for the town was $18,306. About 3.3% of families and 6.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.0% of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over.

Education
The town has a lending library, the Westville-New Durham Township Public Library. Westville residents may also request a free library card from any La Porte County Public Library branch. Purdue University Northwest's other campus, formerly Purdue North Central, is in Westville.

title: Westville, Indiana


text:
Bedford, Indiana

Bedford is a city in Shawswick Township and the county seat of Lawrence County, Indiana, United States. In the 2020 census, the population was 13,792. That is up from 13,413 in 2010. Bedford is the principal city of the Bedford, IN Micropolitan Statistical Area, which comprises all of Lawrence County.

History
Bedford was laid out as a town and the county seat of Lawrence County, Indiana, United States around 1825. The original county seat was in Palestine, four miles to the south, but was moved, at the urging of the legislature, to a new location as the original location near the White River was deemed unhealthy because of malaria spread by mosquitoes. The new site was named Bedford at the suggestion of a prominent local businessman, Joseph Rawlins, who had relocated to the area from Bedford County, Tennessee. It incorporated as a town in 1864 and received its city charter in 1889. Bedford was a stop on the Underground Railroad.

Geography
According to the 2010 census, Bedford has a total area of 12.16 sqmi, all land. The city is known as the "Limestone Capital of the World" because of its large limestone quarries that are around the area. Some of the limestone was used to make the Empire State Building and The Pentagon. Bedford is situated about 70 miles south of Indianapolis and 18 miles south of Bloomington.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally cool to cold winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Bedford has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. On May 25, 2011, an EF3 tornado touched down near Bedford, closing U.S. Route 50 temporarily.

2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 13,413 people, 5,801 households, and 3,426 families living in the city. The population density was 1103.0 PD/sqmi. There were 6,553 housing units at an average density of 538.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 96.2% White, 0.8% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.8% of the population.

There were 5,801 households, of which 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.5% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.9% were non-families. 36.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.87.

The median age in the city was 41.5 years. 22.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.5% were from 25 to 44; 26.2% were from 45 to 64; and 20.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.3% male and 52.7% female.

2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 13,768 people, 6,054 households, and 3,644 families living in the city. The population density was 1,157.1 PD/sqmi. There were 6,618 housing units at an average density of 556.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.87% White, 0.79% African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.70% from other races, and 0.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.26% of the population.

There were 6,054 households, out of which 25.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.5% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.8% were non-families. 35.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 21.2% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 21.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,022, and the median income for a family was $39,462. Males had a median income of $31,956 versus $22,578 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,649. About 7.4% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.8% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.

Government
Bedford is governed by a mayor and city council. The city council is known as the Common Council, which consists of seven members. Five of the members are elected from individual districts while two are elected at-large. The mayor and clerk-treasurer are elected in a citywide vote.

Sports teams and history

 * Bedford Stonecutters (Bedford High School) 1890–1974
 * Bedford North Lawrence Stars (High School) 1975–present

The Bedford North Lawrence High School is known for its basketball and golf programs. The boys' basketball team, captained by Damon Bailey, won a state title in 1990, Also Indiana All Star Cole Sinclair 2001, is the only other Indiana All Star from Bedford. The girls won state titles in 1983, 1991, 2013, 2014 and 2023. The boys' golf ranks third in Indiana in sectional championships with 20, and second in regionals with 7, having produced dozens of college players including PGA Tour Pro Craig Bowden. They have appeared in state finals many times and have numerous top five finishes. The BNL Boys Golf team holds the IHSAA record in all sports for most Finals trips without a championship with 27.

Limestone
Bedford is known as the limestone capital of the world, and is surrounded by limestone quarries.

A common name for the light gray Indiana limestone quarried in south central Indiana is "Bedford limestone", or "Bedford Oolitic limestone".

Much of the limestone used in the construction of various Washington, D.C., monuments was quarried in the Bedford area.

Limestone from a nearby quarry, called the "Empire Quarry", was used to build the Empire State Building in New York City.

Bedford area limestone was also used in the construction of the Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church located in Merrillville, Indiana.

Bedford received $500,000 in grants from the federal government to build a ten-story replica of the Great Pyramid of Giza out of local limestone; however, the work was never completed, despite a further $125,000 being allocated to finish it. An 800-foot limestone replica of the Great Wall of China was also built. Construction took place in 1981 and cost $200,000. Construction on the main pyramid ceased in 1982.

Transportation

 * No Interstate highways are nearby; the closest is Interstate 69, approximately 20 miles (35 km) west.
 * U.S. Highway 50 goes through the heart of the city, connecting Bedford with Seymour to the east, and Vincennes to the west. Travel through Southern Indiana is often somewhat inconvenient, however, due to the hilly nature of the area.
 * State Road 37 connects Bedford to Bloomington to the north and Mitchell to the south.
 * Bedford was served by: Indiana Rail Road, via the former Monon Railroad line to Louisville, Kentucky, and on the Canadian Pacific Railway's former Milwaukee Road line to Terre Haute, Indiana with connections to Chicago. (The Canadian Pacific line was sold to the Indiana Rail Road, on July 1, 2006.)

Education
The Bedford area has six elementary schools: Parkview Primary, Parkview Intermediate, Needmore Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Dollens Elementary, and Shawswick Elementary. There are two middle schools that feed into Bedford North Lawrence High School: Bedford Middle School (BMS) and Oolitic Middle School (OMS). The two private schools in the city are St. Vincent Catholic School and Stone City Christian Academy. Lawrence County Independent School was founded in 2021.

The town has a lending library, the Bedford Public Library.

Statistics
According to research there were 26 registered sex offenders living in Bedford, Indiana in July 2011 The ratio of number of residents in Bedford to the number of sex offenders is 516 to 1. Bedford has a low murder rate with only 6 murders between 1999 and 2010. Bedford has a slightly higher rate of rape with 37 rapes occurring between 1999 and 2010. As a whole, by comparison to the national average of crime rate, Bedford is significantly lower than average.

Profiles of Bedford
Bedford, Indiana was featured as the subject of an hour-long PBS special entitled Our Town: Bedford, first aired in May 2006. It was produced by PBS affiliate WTIU in Bloomington, Indiana.

Bedford was recognized by the State of Indiana in 2013 by being named a Stellar Community. The Stellar Communities program is under the direction of Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann and is a multi-agency partnership among the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, the Indiana Department of Transportation and the State Revolving Fund. Only two Indiana communities are designated as such each year; Richmond was the other 2013 winner. The award brings $19 million in state, local and private funds to Bedford for planned improvements.

Bedford was also named the Indiana Chamber of Commerce's 2013 Community of the Year.

Nearby points of interest

 * Bluespring Caverns
 * Nashville, Indiana
 * Spring Mill State Park
 * Avoca Park
 * West Baden Springs Hotel
 * The Bedford Courthouse Square Historic District, Indiana Limestone Company Building, Madden School, C.S. Norton Mansion, Otis Park and Golf Course, William A. Ragsdale House, and Zahn Historic District are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Notable people

 * Claude Akins, actor
 * Marie Louise Andrews, writer and journalist
 * Damon Bailey, basketball player
 * Craig Bowden, PGA Tour golfer
 * Kenneth Bowersox, astronaut
 * Thomas J. Box, Congressional Medal of Honor recipient
 * Donald Brashear, NHL player
 * James Samuel Coleman, sociologist
 * Bessie De Voie, vaudeville performer, dancer
 * Claude Ferguson, Environmentalist
 * Carl Graf, artist
 * A. B. Guthrie Jr, Pulitzer Prize-winning writer
 * Aishah Hasnie, Fox News reporter
 * William Jenner, U.S. senator
 * Becky Muncy, musician, elementary school teacher
 * Becky Skillman, Indiana lieutenant governor
 * Charles Walker, astronaut
 * Fred Wampler, PGA Tour golfer
 * Bob Wicker, MLB pitcher
 * William T. Wiley, artist

title: Bedford, Indiana


text:
Mitchell, Indiana

Mitchell is a city in Marion Township, Lawrence County, Indiana, United States. The population was 4,350 at the 2010 census.

History
Mitchell was built as a railroad town in the mid-19th century. At this location in Lawrence County, the Chicago, Indianapolis and Louisville Railroad, better known by the shorter name of "the Monon", was built as a north-south line from New Albany to Chicago, passing through the area which became Mitchell in 1853. In 1857, the east-west Ohio and Mississippi Railway (later part of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad) was completed, as part of a link between Cincinnati and St. Louis.

At the intersection of the two rail lines, a new town was planned. As the O&M railroad was surveyed, the owners of the land arranged for one of the surveyors, Ormsby McKnight Mitchel (1810–1862), a West Point graduate and professor at the University of Cincinnati, to plat their new town in exchange for naming it for him. (The second "L" in Mitchell was added later.) A native of Kentucky, Ormsby Mitchel grew up in Lebanon, Ohio, and was also an attorney and notable astronomer. He later became a major general in the Union Army during the American Civil War (1861–1865), and is best known for ordering the raid that became famous as the Great Locomotive Chase. He was known as "Old Stars". General Mitchel died of yellow fever while serving in Beaufort, South Carolina.

The town was incorporated in 1864, becoming a city in 1907. Mitchell hosted a number of manufacturers, including (in 1919) the wagon, truck and bus body enterprises of Ralph H. Carpenter which became known as the Carpenter Body Company. School bus body production continued until 1995.

In 1851, the Mitchell area was the birthplace of outlaw and train robber Sam Bass (1851–1878). He was orphaned at age 13, but was apparently engaged in lawful activities until 1877, when he became an icon of the "wildness" of the American Old West as he robbed banks, stagecoaches and railroad trains before being fatally wounded by Texas Rangers the following year. Despite Bass' short-lived criminal career, he is remembered as part of a robbery of gold on September 18, 1877 which remains the largest robbery in Union Pacific Railroad's history.

Mitchell was also the birthplace of astronaut Virgil "Gus" Grissom (1926–1967). A mechanical engineering graduate of Purdue University, he joined the United States Air Force and was selected as a member of NASA's Project Mercury space program. Gus Grissom was the second American to fly in space on Liberty Bell 7 and also flew aboard Gemini 3. He died in a launch pad fire at Kennedy Space Center in Florida during a training exercise for Apollo 1 on January 27, 1967.

Spring Mill State Park is located just east of Mitchell. It includes a memorial to Grissom as well as several caves and a pioneer village. The buildings in the village are original structures from the former mill town that was located here, recreations of buildings in the town, and other pioneer-era buildings that were moved to the park.

The Monon became part of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. Both it, and the former B&O are now part of CSX Transportation's rail network. In modern times, Mitchell is also served by the Union Pacific system.

In the late 20th century, Mitchell's downtown area was defined as a historic district that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The town developed an Urban Enterprise Zone, and industrial park, and at the end of the century, was working to attract new businesses and industry while also capitalizing on its heritage through antique shops and tourism.

The Mitchell Downtown Historic District and Mitchell Opera House are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography
According to the 2010 census, Mitchell has a total area of 3.285 sqmi, of which 3.28 sqmi (or 99.85%) is land and 0.005 sqmi (or 0.15%) is water.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 4,350 people, 1,786 households, and 1,145 families living in the city. The population density was 1326.2 PD/sqmi. There were 2,014 housing units at an average density of 614.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 97.6% White, 0.4% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.7% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4% of the population.

There were 1,786 households, of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.8% were married couples living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.9% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.96.

The median age in the city was 39.2 years. 24.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.7% were from 25 to 44; 25% were from 45 to 64; and 17.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.5% male and 53.5% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,567 people, 1,884 households, and 1,235 families living in the city. The population density was 1,345.6 PD/sqmi. There were 2,118 housing units at an average density of 624.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.31% White, 0.28% African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.13% from other races, and 1.05% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.53% of the population.

There were 1,884 households, out of which 32.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.5% were married couples living together, 14.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.4% were non-families. 31.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the city the population was spread out, with 26.0% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,559, and the median income for a family was $33,415. Males had a median income of $28,160 versus $18,194 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,894. About 14.0% of families and 16.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.9% of those under age 18 and 16.7% of those age 65 or over.

Education
The town has a lending library, the Mitchell Community Public Library.

Festival
Persimmon pudding and ice cream are sold at the Persimmon Festival held every September.

Notable people

 * Sam Bass, outlaw
 * Chase Briscoe, NASCAR driver
 * Terry Cole, NFL running back
 * Gus Grissom, Mercury Seven astronaut

title: Mitchell, Indiana


text:
Oolitic, Indiana

Oolitic is a town in Indian Creek and Shawswick townships, Lawrence County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,184 at the 2010 census.

History
Oolitic was platted on March 23, 1896, by the Bedford Quarries Company. It was incorporated in 1900. In 1910, its population was 1,079; in 1914 it had risen to about 2,000. Oolite is a type of limestone found in Indiana.

Oolitic is the site of a limestone statue of comic-strip boxer Joe Palooka, moved there from Bedford in 1984.

Oolitic is the opposing basketball team during the season opener in the film Hoosiers.

Geography
According to the 2010 census, Oolitic has a total area of 0.78 sqmi, all land.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Oolitic has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Geology
The town is built upon oolitic limestone, which gives the town's name. The town was founded for the purpose of quarrying this material, for building purposes.

Oolitic was originally platted as "Limestone" on September 26, 1888. In 1896, the name was sent to Washington, D.C., to allow a post office to be established. The request was refused because of a town already named Limestone, Indiana. Doctor R. B. Short suggested using "Oolitic", and Oolitic became incorporated on November 4, 1901. The word Oolitic was used as an adjective for oolitic limestone (derived from the Greek word oolite, meaning eggs and stone). Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed of calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate and quartz, along with the small shells and eggs left behind when this area was covered by an inland sea. Found immediately north of Oolitic are some of the largest limestone quarries in the world, many of them in continuous operation since the 1830s. Many famous buildings have been built from local oolitic limestone, including the Empire State Building. Visitors can see the "Empire Hole," about half a mile north of Oolitic, where 35,017,500 pounds of limestone block were extracted in 1931 and shipped to Manhattan for the 102-story building. The Empire Hole was also the source of the stone used in the Empire State Building’s 2001 renovations.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 1,184 people, 534 households, and 334 families living in the town. The population density was 1517.9 PD/sqmi. There were 587 housing units at an average density of 752.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98.7% White, 0.3% African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 0.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.0% of the population.

There were 534 households, of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.5% were non-families. 34.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.80.

The median age in the town was 41 years. 22.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.7% were from 25 to 44; 28% were from 45 to 64; and 17.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 50.3% male and 49.7% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,152 people, 507 households, and 337 families living in the town. The population density was 1,431.1 PD/sqmi. There were 563 housing units at an average density of 699.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98.78% White, 0.17% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 0.09% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.35% of the population.

There were 507 households, out of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.1% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.5% were non-families. 31.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.82.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 22.7% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $31,250, and the median income for a family was $37,279. Males had a median income of $30,758 versus $21,650 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,889. About 13.4% of families and 13.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.9% of those under age 18 and 12.2% of those age 65 or over.

title: Oolitic, Indiana


text:
Anderson, Indiana

Anderson is a city in Madison County, Indiana, United States, and the county seat of Madison County. The population was 54,788 at the 2020 census. It is named after Chief William Anderson. The city is the headquarters of the Church of God and its Anderson University. Highlights of the city include the historic Paramount Theatre and the Gruenewald House.

History
Prior to the organization of Madison County, William Conner entered the land upon which Anderson is located. Conner later sold the ground to John and Sarah Berry, who donated 32 acre of their land to Madison County on the condition that the county seat be moved from Pendleton to Anderson. John Berry laid out the first plat of Anderson on November 7, 1827. In 1828 the seat of justice was moved from Pendleton to Anderson.

The city is named for Chief William "Adam" Anderson, whose mother was Lenape and whose father was of Swedish descent. Chief Anderson's name in Lenape was Kikthawenund, meaning "creaking boughs". The Lenape village was known as "Anderson's Town", though the Moravian missionaries called it "The Heathen Town Four Miles Away". Anderson was also known as "Andersonton" before being formally organized as Anderson.

Introduction of internal improvements by the Mammoth Internal Improvement Act caused a growth in the population in 1837. In December 1838, Anderson was incorporated as a town with 350 inhabitants. The Central Canal, a branch of the Wabash and Erie Canal, was planned to come through Anderson. Work continued on the canal during 1838 and the beginning of 1839, but the work was soon suspended by the state following effects of the Panic of 1837. The town again became a sleepy village until 1849, when it was incorporated a second time as a town. Many new commercial ventures located around the courthouse square.

This incorporation was short-lived, and Anderson once again went back to village status in 1852. However, with the completion of the Indianapolis Bellefontaine Railroad, as well as their station in 1852, Anderson burst to life. The third incorporation of Anderson as a town occurred on June 9, 1853. The population continued to increase. On August 28, 1865, with a population of nearly 1,300 people, Anderson was incorporated as a city.

Between 1853 and the late 19th century, twenty industries of various sizes located there. On March 31, 1887, natural gas was discovered in Anderson. As the Indiana gas boom began, this discovery led new businesses that could use natural gas, such as glass-making, to move to the city. Anderson grew to such proportions that a Cincinnati newspaper editor labeled the city "The Pittsburgh on White River". Other appellations were "Queen City of the Gas Belt" and (because of the vulcanizing and rubber tire manufacturing business) "Puncture Proof City".

In 1897 the Interurban Railroad was born in Anderson. Charles Henry, a large stock holder, coined the term "Interurban" in 1893. It continued to operate until 1941. The Commercial Club (formed on November 18, 1905) was the forerunner of the present chamber of commerce.

The year 1912 spelled disaster for Anderson: the natural gas ran out. The city had left its gas-powered lights on day and night, and there are stories of a pocket of natural gas being lit in the river and burning for a prolonged period for the spectacle of it. The result of the loss of natural gas was that several factories moved out. The whole city slowed down.

This club persuaded the Remy brothers to stay in Anderson and others to locate there. For decades, Delco Remy and Guide Lamp (later Fisher Guide), which during World War II built the M3 submachine gun and the FP-45 Liberator pistol for the Allies, were the top two employers in the city. From 1913 through the 1950s, the Ward-Stilson Company was one of the country's largest producers of uniforms, regalia, furniture and props for the Freemasons, the Odd Fellows, and dozens of other U.S. fraternal organizations.

The Church of God of Anderson located its world headquarters in Anderson in 1905. Anderson Bible School was opened in 1917, and this was separated from Gospel Trumpet (now known as Warner Press) in 1925. At the same time, it became known as Anderson Bible School and Seminary. In 1925, the name was changed to Anderson College and eventually to Anderson University in 1988.

Over the years, 17 different types of automobiles were manufactured in Anderson, with the Lambert family among the city's leaders in its development and the Buckeye Gasoline Buggy the Lambert product. Many other inventions were perfected in Anderson, including the gas regulator (Miron G. Reynolds), the stamp vending machine (Frank P. Dunn), clothes presser (H. Donald Forse), "Irish Mail" handcars (Hugh Hill), flower car for funeral homes (Francis M. McClain, automatic gearshift (Von D. Polhemus)), Sisson choke (Glenn Sisson), and the vulcanizing process to retread tires (Charles E. Miller).

Anderson hosted a National Basketball Association (NBA) franchise for the 1949–50 season, being one of the smaller cities to have had a major league franchise in a Big Four American sport. The Anderson Packers were a founding member of the NBA (under that name), but folded after one season.

Like most other industrial cities in Indiana and the Rust Belt as a whole, Anderson suffered tremendously from deindustrialization in the 1970s and 1980s. For example, nearly 22,000 people were employed by General Motors in the 1970s in Anderson; by 2006 this number had declined to fewer than 2,600. Anderson has since struggled with higher rates of poverty and unemployment.

Geography
Anderson is located in south-central Madison County at 40.10004°N, -85.68152°W. The city of Anderson occupies all of Anderson Township except for the much smaller communities of Country Club Heights, Edgewood, River Forest, and Woodlawn Heights, as well as small parts of five other townships: Lafayette, Richland, Union, Adams, and Fall Creek.

Indiana State Road 32 (14th Street) crosses the city center, leading east-northeast 19 mi to Muncie and west-southwest the same distance to Noblesville. State Road 9 (Scatterfield Road) crosses the east side of the city, leading north 11 mi to Alexandria and southwest 10 mi to Pendleton. Interstate 69 crosses the southeast corner of the city, with access from Exit 226 (SR 9/SR 109). I-69 leads southwest 40 mi to Indianapolis and northeast 83 mi to Fort Wayne.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Anderson has a total area of 41.7 sqmi, of which 41.6 sqmi are land and 0.1 sqmi, or 0.27%, are water. The White River flows east to west through the northern part of the city.

2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were people, households, and families living in the city. The population density was 1356.8 PD/sqmi. There were housing units at an average density of 675.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 78.8% White, 15.2% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 2.6% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.8% of the population.

Of the extant households 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.8% were married couples living together, 17.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.6% were non-families. 34.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.91.

The median age in the city was 37.8 years. 22.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 11.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.8% were from 25 to 44; 24.9% were from 45 to 64; and 16.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.9% male and 52.1% female.

2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were people, households, and families living in the city. The population density was 1,491.6 PD/sqmi. There were housing units at an average density of 690.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 81.99% White, 14.88% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.86% from other races, and 1.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.07% of the population.

There were 25,274 households, out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.4% were married couples living together, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.0% were non-families. 33.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 23.2% under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there

Government
The city government consists of a mayor and a city council. The mayor is elected in citywide vote. The city council consists of nine members. Six are elected from individual districts. Three members are elected at large.

Economy
When General Motors closed its operations in Anderson, the city was dealt a major economic blow, as GM was the biggest employer in Anderson. Nevertheless, in 2007, Anderson was ranked 98th in the Forbes List for 100 Best Places for Businesses among Smaller U.S. Metro areas. However, a more recent (2014) appraisal of Anderson from the Indiana Business Review was mixed, noting that "long-term trends are negative", citing "a long-term downward trend in area employment" and "acceleration in the number of food stamp recipients". More recent unemployment has been reduced, but improvements still lag behind the rest of the state.

For 2013, estimated household median income was $33,574 (vs. Indiana state median of $48,248). Per capita money income was $18,216 (Indiana per capita of $24,635). 25.8% of the city's population was estimated at living below poverty level, vs. a statewide estimation of 15.4%. Madison County, of which Anderson is the seat, has nearly three times as many food stamps recipients per capita as does Indiana as a whole.

As of February 2019, the ten largest employers in Madison County were:

Points of interest

 * Anderson Center for the Arts (listed on the National Register of Historic Places)
 * Anderson Speedway, home of the Pay Less Little 500 and Redbud 400
 * Downtown Historic District (NRHP-listed)
 * Hoosier Park Racing and Casino
 * Madison County Historical Center
 * Mounds State Park (NRHP-listed), adjacent to the eastern border of the city
 * Paramount Theatre (NRHP-listed)
 * Shadyside Memorial Park and Lake
 * Additional locations on the National Register of Historic Places:
 * Anderson Bank Building
 * Central Avenue School
 * Gruenewald House
 * Tower Hotel
 * West Central Historic District
 * West Eighth Street Historic District

Education
Anderson's public school district is the Anderson Community School Corporation, which includes one high school, Anderson High School which serves grades 9 – 12; one junior high school, Highland Middle School (formerly Highland High School) which serves grades 6 – 8, six elementary schools (Eastside, Edgewood, Valley Grove, 10th Street, Erskine, Anderson Elementary) which serve k -5, a kindergarten center (Killbuck), and a preschool (Southview). Until 1997, Anderson had three high schools: Highland, Madison Heights and Anderson. In 1997 Madison Heights was closed and Anderson High School moved into that facility. Beginning in the fall of 2010, Highland High School closed and was converted into a junior high school, consolidating all students in grades 9-12 into Anderson High School.

Anderson also has a charter school (non-traditional, tuition-free public school) called Anderson Preparatory Academy. Currently, Anderson Preparatory Academy features grades K-12. Anderson Preparatory Academy is a college preparatory, military-based academy. All cadets in grades 6-8 are members of the Civil Air Patrol. High school cadets are all members of the Air Force JROTC program. Original plans called to only offer grades 6–9, then add on another upper grade each year before extending the lower years.

Anderson University is within the city, as are a campus of the Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana and a campus of the Purdue Polytechnic Institute.

The city has a lending library, the Anderson Public Library.

Notable people

 * Harold Achor, justice of the Indiana Supreme Court
 * Jermaine Allensworth, professional baseball outfielder
 * Silas Allred, collegiate wrestler
 * Lowell Amos, convicted "Black Widower" murderer
 * Melvin E. Biddle, World War II Medal of Honor recipient
 * Don Brandon, Hall of Fame baseball coach from Anderson University
 * Jann Browne, country music singer
 * Gary Burton, jazz vibraphonist
 * Bob Carey, Indy car driver
 * Everett Case, nicknamed "Gray Fox", basketball coach notable for tenure at North Carolina State University, 1946–1964
 * Joshua Crockett, sixth president of Bob Jones University
 * Buck Crouse, MLB catcher
 * James Davis, politician, U.S. Secretary of Labor
 * Winfield T. Durbin, politician, former governor of Indiana
 * Cory Edwards, producer of Hoodwinked!; created internet series Krogzilla on Smosh's Shut Up Cartoons channel
 * Carl Erskine, Professional baseball player, BKN/LA Dodgers Pitcher from 1948 to 1959.
 * Gordon Gordon, crime novelist
 * Krystal Harris, singer
 * Charles L. Henry, politician, congressman, coiner of term "interurban"
 * Orville Hodge, embezzler
 * Gary Hoover, businessman, author, entrepreneur
 * Robert Kessler, 1st Team All-American and 2x First-team Big Ten basketball player for Purdue University from 1933 to 1936
 * James Kilgore, Symbionese Liberation Army member
 * John William Lambert, inventor of first successful U.S. gasoline automobile
 * Adam Lind, MLB player for Washington Nationals, Seattle Mariners
 * Matt Lutz, actor
 * Von Mansfield, NFL defensive back
 * Brittany Mason, model
 * Mack Mattingly, politician, Georgia senator
 * Gary McGhee, professional basketball player
 * Jon McLaughlin, singer
 * Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, author
 * Phill Niblock, composer and filmmaker
 * Bruce Nickells, harness racing driver and trainer
 * Sandi Patty, singer
 * Amber Portwood, TV personality
 * James Rebhorn, actor
 * Kris Roe (The Ataris), singer
 * Kevin Stein, poet laureate of Illinois
 * Fred Mustard Stewart, author
 * Max Terhune, actor
 * Ray Tolbert, basketball player for Indiana's 1981 NCAA championship team
 * Albert Henry Vestal, majority whip of House of Representatives, 1923–1931
 * Len Walston, singer-songwriter and music producer
 * Louis J. Weichmann, witness for the prosecution in the trial of the alleged conspirators involved in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln
 * Bob Wilkerson, basketball player for Indiana's undefeated 1976 NCAA championship team
 * Jumping Johnny Wilson, basketball and baseball player

title: Anderson, Indiana