86-535: Dune Acres is a town in Westchester Township , Porter County , in the U.S. state of Indiana . The population was 234 as of the 2020 census. Dune Acres is located in the duneland of the south shore of Lake Michigan . Many residents of Dune Acres and surrounding communities helped preserve parts of the Indiana Dunes . Dune Acres was platted in 1923 as a lakeside resort village. The Dune Acres Clubhouse
172-452: A development of 28 upscale condominium, townhome, and single-family homes, began construction in 2007 at the eastern edge of Miller Beach along County Line Road, one block south of Lake Michigan. The change in the economy and resulting loss of jobs has caused a drop in population by nearly two thirds since its peak in 1960. Gary, along with St. Louis and Detroit , have each lost near or more than two thirds of their peak populations. As of
258-428: A female householder with no husband present, 6.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.2% were non-families. 32.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% 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 3.23. The median age in the city was 36.7 years. 28.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.6% were between
344-470: A female householder with no husband present, and 33.0% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.28. In the city, the population was spread out, with 29.9% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
430-471: A household in the town was $ 94,843, and the median income for a family was $ 102,524. Males had a median income of $ 83,632 versus $ 41,250 for females. The per capita income for the town was $ 68,051. None of the population or families were below the poverty line . In the past, Dune Acres was served by the eponymous station on the South Shore Line , which was located at Mineral Springs Road. That station
516-489: A secondary principal street, Fifth Avenue, which was lined with many commercial businesses, restaurants, theaters, tall buildings, and elegant apartment buildings. The West Side was viewed as having wealthier residents. The houses dated from about 1908 to the 1930s. Much of the West Side's housing were for executives of U.S. Steel and other prominent businessmen. Notable mansions were 413 Tyler Street and 636 Lincoln Street. Many of
602-468: A very diverse city, Gary currently holds one of the nation's highest percentages of African-Americans. Between 1970 and 2010, Gary maintained a 40-year record of holding the nation's largest Black population per capita. The city also boasts a legacy of African-American cultural and historical feats, such as electing the nation's first Black mayor (see Richard Hatcher ), hosting the first and largest National Black Political Convention , and, in 1945, becoming
688-686: Is about 30 miles (48 km) from the Chicago Loop . Gary contains the western portion of Indiana Dunes National Park, including Miller Woods , the western part of Long Lake , and the Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education. Much of this is within Gary's Miller Beach neighborhood, although the park's western tip extends to downtown Gary. Gary is listed by the Köppen-Geiger climate classification system as humid continental (Dfa). In July and August,
774-430: Is greatly regulated by its proximity to Lake Michigan . Weather varies yearly. In the summer months Gary is humid. The city's yearly precipitation averages about 40 inches. Summer is the rainiest season. Winters vary but are predominantly snowy. Snowfall in Gary averages approximately 25 inches per year. Sometimes large blizzards hit because of " lake effect snow ", a phenomenon whereby large amounts of water evaporated from
860-589: Is home to U.S. Steel 's Gary Works , the largest steel mill complex in North America . Gary is located along the southern shore of Lake Michigan about 25 miles (40 km) southeast of downtown Chicago . The city is the western gateway to the Indiana Dunes National Park , and is within the Chicago metropolitan area . Gary was named after lawyer Elbert Henry Gary , who was the founding chairman of
946-556: Is home to the Village Shopping Center. Glen Park includes the 37th Avenue corridor at Broadway. Midtown is located south of Downtown Gary, along Broadway. In the pre-1960s days of de facto segregation, this developed historically as a "black" neighborhood as African Americans came to Gary from the rural South in the Great Migration to seek jobs in the industrial economy. Aetna is located on Gary's far east side along
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#17330853323941032-607: Is located just south of Interstate 90 and can also be seen from the expressway. The Brunswick area includes the Tri-City Plaza shopping center on West 5th Avenue (U.S. 20). The area is south of the Gary Chicago International Airport . Downtown West is located in north-central Gary on the west side of Broadway just south of Interstate 90 . The Genesis Convention Center , the Gary Police Department ,
1118-521: Is one of Gary's oldest neighborhoods, predating much of the rest of the city. It was platted by George Tolle in 1857 when the railroads were constructed in this area. This area is west of Midtown and south of Ambridge Mann. Tarrytown is a subdivision located in Tolleston between Whitcomb Street and Clark Road. Black Oak is located on the far southwest side of Gary, in the vicinity of the Burr Street exit to
1204-562: Is the closest highway to Dune Acres. The closest airport is located in western Gary , and the closest Amtrak station is located further northeast in Michigan City . Westchester Township, Porter County, Indiana Westchester Township is one of twelve townships in Porter County, Indiana . It is included in the Calumet , Northwest Indiana , and Great Lakes regions. It is located on
1290-485: Is water. Gary is T-shaped, with its northern border on Lake Michigan . In the northwesternmost section, Gary borders Hammond and East Chicago ; 165th Street, one of several roads connecting Hammond and Gary, has been walled off from Gary since 1981, initially due to a toxic flood. Miller Beach , Gary's easternmost neighborhood, borders Lake Station and Portage . Gary's southernmost section borders Griffith , Hobart , Merrillville , and unincorporated Ross . Gary
1376-670: Is wetland habitat, most of which is located within Westchester Township. Westchester Township is within the Great Lakes Watershed , which eventually empties into the Atlantic Ocean. Westchester Township is home to the Little Calumet River and several streams, including Dunes Creek (previously named Fort Creek), Willow Creek and its tributaries, Salt Creek and its tributaries, Sand Creek, Coffee Creek, Damon Run,
1462-519: The 1930 United States Census , the first census in which Gary's population exceeded 100,000, the city was the fifth largest in Indiana and comparable in size to South Bend , Fort Wayne , and Evansville . At that time, 78.7% of the population was classified as white, with 19.3% as foreign-born and another 25.9% as native-born with at least one foreign-born parent. In addition to white internal migrants, Gary had attracted numerous African-American migrants from
1548-463: The 2020 census , there were 69,093 people, 28,610 households, and 16,459 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,388.9 inhabitants per square mile (536.3/km ). There were 37,274 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 10.6% White , 80.2% African American , 0.4% Native American , 0.2% Asian , 0.0% Pacific Islander , 3.3% from some other races and 5.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.6% of
1634-459: The Borman Expressway . It was annexed in the 1970s. Prior to that, Black Oak was an unincorporated area informally associated with Hammond , and the area has Hammond telephone numbers. After three referendums, the community voters approved annexation, having been persuaded by Mayor Hatcher that they would benefit more from services provided by the city than from those provided by the county. In
1720-719: The Dunes Highway . Aetna predates the city of Gary. This company town was founded in 1881 by the Aetna Powder Works, an explosives company. Their factory closed after the end of World War I. The Town of Aetna was annexed by Gary in 1928, around the same time that the city annexed the Town of Miller. In the late 1920s and early 1930s, Gary's prosperous industries helped generate residential and other development in Aetna, resulting in an impressive collection of art deco architecture. The rest of
1806-531: The Palace Theater , and City Methodist Church . A large area of the downtown neighborhood (including City Methodist) was devastated by a major fire on October 12, 1997. Interstate 90 was constructed between downtown Gary and the United States Steel plant. Ambridge Mann is a neighborhood located on Gary's near west side along 5th Avenue. Ambridge was developed for workers at the nearby steel plant in
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#17330853323941892-768: The Sacs , Mascoutin , Miami , Potawatomi , and the Illiniwek of the region, but also connected these peoples to eastern tribes, like the Ojibwe and the Iroquois , and western tribes, like the Cheyenne and Sioux (Lakota) . The first written records of European exploration in the area are those of Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet in 1673. Marquette again passed through the area in 1675 with Pierre Porteret and Jacques Largilliers. Undoubtedly though, there were many undocumented explorers of
1978-454: The Wynant House (1917), which was destroyed by fire. A significant number of older structures have been demolished in recent years because of the cost of restoration. Restructuring of the steel and other heavy industry in the late 20th century resulted in a loss of jobs, adversely affecting the city. Abandoned buildings in the downtown area include historic structures such as Union Station ,
2064-567: The 1910s and 1920s. It is named after the American Bridge Works, which was a subsidiary of U.S. Steel. The neighborhood is home to a huge stock of prairie-style and art deco homes. The Gary Masonic Temple was located in the neighborhood, along with the Ambassador apartment building. Located just south of Interstate 90 , the neighborhood can be seen while passing Buchanan Street. Brunswick is located on Gary's far west side. The neighborhood
2150-476: The 21st century, it is the only majority-white neighborhood in Gary. Glen Park is located on Gary's far south side and is made up mostly of mid-twentieth-century houses. Glen Park is divided from the remainder of the city by the Borman Expressway. The northern portion of Glen Park is home to Gary's Gleason Park Golf Course and the campus of Indiana University Northwest . The far western portion of Glen Park
2236-540: The Calumet Township Trustee's office. A 6,000-seat minor league baseball stadium for the Gary SouthShore RailCats , U.S. Steel Yard , was constructed in 2002, along with contiguous commercial space and minor residential development. Miller Beach , also known simply as Miller, is on Gary's far northeast side. Settled in the 1850s and incorporated as an independent town in 1907, Miller was annexed by
2322-768: The Chicago Road). Though no major north–south trails cut through what is now Westchester Township, just west of where the Indiana/Illinois state line now runs stretched the Potawatami Trail (later called the Vincennes Trail). This trail was the only major north–south trail to serve the Westchester Township area. This trail could be reached by taking a smaller north–south trail to the great Sauk (Sac) Trail , which ran through present day Valparaiso, Indiana . All these trails served as primary trade and transportation routes for
2408-521: The Chicago transit system. It is also home to a professional baseball team, the Gary SouthShore RailCats . In addition to its large steel mills, the city is known for being the birthplace of the Jackson family , a family of well-known entertainers whose members include singer Michael Jackson . Gary, Indiana, was founded in 1906 by the U.S. Steel corporation as the home for its new plant, Gary Works . The city
2494-474: The Gary Department of Redevelopment has estimated that one-third of all homes in the city are unoccupied and/or abandoned. U.S. Steel continues to be a major steel producer but with only a fraction of its former level of employment. While Gary has failed to reestablish a manufacturing base since its population peak, two casinos opened along the Gary lakeshore in the 1990s. However, this has been aggravated by
2580-861: The Lake Superior Court House, and the Main Branch of the Gary Public Library are located along 5th Avenue. A new 123-unit mixed-income apartment development was built using a HUD HOPE VI grant in 2006. The Adam Benjamin Metro Center is located just north of 4th Avenue. It is operated by the Gary Public Transportation Corporation and serves as a multi-modal hub. It serves both as the Downtown Gary South Shore train station and an intercity bus stop. Tolleston
2666-731: The Potawatami by creating a great Indian Reserve, which ran from what is now Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. As of 1775, the region was still part of the British Empire's immense Indian Reserve. During the American Revolutionary War , the Potawatami of the area fought on the side of the English, against the American colonists. In 1776, the newly formed American government claimed nominal control of
Dune Acres, Indiana - Misplaced Pages Continue
2752-787: The Potawatomi came to the region, the area's abundant natural resources fed many other native peoples and animals. Among the Potawatomi and the first settlers, these abundant resources proved more than adequate for subsistence and very lucrative for trade. There were the cranberry marshes, from which bushel upon bushel was hauled to early market. There were numerous other sorts of berries and fruits as well, including mulberries , huckleberries , blackberries , strawberries , whortleberries , raspberries , roseberries, gooseberries , wintergreen berries, currants , sand hill cherries, red and yellow wild plum , crabapple , paw paw , haw , sassafras , and wild grape . In addition to corn, early gardens in
2838-467: The South in the Great Migration , and 17.8% of the population was classified as black. 3.5% were classified as Mexican (now likely to be identified as Hispanic, as some were likely American citizens in addition to immigrants). Gary's fortunes have risen and fallen with those of the steel industry. The growth of the steel industry brought prosperity to the community. Broadway was known as a commercial center for
2924-475: The Swanson-Lamporte Ditch, and Johnson Ditch. Westchester Township is home to Billington Lake, Morgan Lake, Chubb Lake, and Pratt Lake. A notable wetland in the area is Cowles Bog, a fen named after a University of Chicago researcher who became famous for his study of geophysical conditions and ecological succession in the dunes. By far the most notable geographic feature in Westchester Township are
3010-543: The Union. This area contained mostly wood-frame houses, some of the earliest in the city, and became known in the 20th century for its ethnic populations from Europe and large families. The single-family houses had repeating house designs that alternated from one street to another, with some streets looking very similar. Among the East Side's most notable buildings were Memorial Auditorium (a large red-brick and stone civic auditorium and
3096-520: The United States Steel Corporation. U.S. Steel had established the city in 1906 as a company town to serve its steel mills. Like other Rust Belt cities, Gary's once thriving steel industry has been significantly affected by the disappearance of local manufacturing jobs since the 1970s. As a result of this economic shift, the city's population has decreased drastically, having lost 61% of its population since 1960. Although initially
3182-586: The Westchester Public Library in Chesterton. Westchester Township is the home of Indiana Dunes State Park and a large portion of Indiana Dunes National Park . The land that is now Westchester Township was once completely covered by the Wisconsin Ice Sheet . Later, it was submerged beneath Lake Chicago during one other notable period of the ice sheet's retreat from around Indianapolis to
3268-412: The adjacent land (approximately 20 to 30 days behind the rest of northern Indiana). The lake also delays the warming of the area in spring. "Lake effect precipitation," or slightly heavier precipitation due to the evaporation of water from the lake, is very common to the area. The areas east and south of the lake usually experience the heaviest snow and rainfall. The area now known as Westchester Township
3354-431: The age of 18 living with them, 60.6% were married couples living together, 1.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.3% were non-families. 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.9% 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 2.41. The median age in the town was 63.4 years. 8.8% of residents were under
3440-495: The age of 18; 3.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 4.3% were from 25 to 44; 36.8% were from 45 to 64; and 46.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 52.2% male and 47.8% female. As of the census of 2000, there were 213 people, 101 households, and 76 families residing in the town. The population density was 99.7 inhabitants per square mile (38.5/km). There were 154 housing units at an average density of 72.0 per square mile (27.8/km). The racial makeup of
3526-482: The ages of 18 and 24; 21.8% were from 25 to 44; 27.1% were from 45 to 64; and 14.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.0% male and 54.0% female. As of the 2000 census , there were 102,746 people, 38,244 households, and 25,623 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,045.5 inhabitants per square mile (789.8/km ). There were 43,630 housing units at an average density of 868.6 per square mile (335.4/km ). The racial makeup of
Dune Acres, Indiana - Misplaced Pages Continue
3612-461: The arctic region where it currently resides. Known for its sand dunes, wetlands, and forests, Westchester Township gives evidence of the dynamic geographical and ecological circumstances brought about by the glacier's last passage. As recently as the 1700s, most of Westchester Township was part of a vast wetland marsh that stretched across the Calumet Region. Today as little as 6.6% of Porter County
3698-495: The area contained beans, peas, squash, tobacco, and melons. Quite often, several varieties of herbs were cultivated for both ceremonial and medicinal use. Both Native American and settler also made maple sugar or syrup from the sap of the sugar maples in the area. The combination of woodland, marsh, and prairie proved very conducive to all sorts of wild fowl. Wild turkey , grouse , prairie chicken, quail , and duck were all found in abundance. A few varieties of hops are native to
3784-496: The area, in what is now southern Michigan . The fort served as the nearest trading center for the peoples in and around the land that is now Westchester Township up until the establishment of Fort Dearborn in 1803. Petite Fort, located at the mouth of Fort Creek (now Dunes Creek) in what is now the Indiana Dunes State Park, also served as a collection point for the fur trade in the area until 1779. Probably even before
3870-408: The area. It is estimated that about half of these are only seasonal residents. Other notable wildlife include deer, bear, wolves, foxes, mink, muskrat, wild ducks and geese. Due to the presence of Lake Michigan, which remains relatively cool even in summer, the average summer temperatures are lower in this area than in the rest of Indiana. In autumn and winter, the lake causes a delay in the cooling of
3956-575: The area. There was wild rice in abundance, and in some of the dry prairies, hay grew remarkably well. According to the Potawatomi, buffalo and elk were native to the region until the winters became increasingly harsh. Gary, Indiana Gary ( / ˈ ɡ ær i / GARR -ee ) is a city in Lake County, Indiana , United States. The population was 69,093 at the 2020 census , making it Indiana's eleventh-most populous city . The city has been historically dominated by major industrial activity and
4042-595: The city of Gary in 1918. Miller developed around the old stagecoach stop and train station known by the 1850s as Miller's Junction and/or Miller's Station. Miller Beach is racially and economically diverse. It attracts investor interest due to the many year-round and summer homes within walking distance of Marquette Park and Lake Michigan . Prices for lakefront property are affordable compared to those in Illinois suburban communities. Lake Street provides shopping and dining options for Miller Beach visitors and residents. East Edge,
4128-409: The city was 84.03% African American , 11.92% White , 0.21% Native American , 0.14% Asian , 0.02% Pacific Islander , 1.97% from other races , and 1.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 4.93% of the population. There were 38,244 households, out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 30.2% were married couples living together, 30.9% had
4214-458: The city was 84.8% African American , 10.7% White , 0.3% Native American , 0.2% Asian , 1.8% from other races , and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 5.1% of the population. Non-Hispanic Whites were 8.9% of the population in 2010, down from 39.1% in 1970. There were 31,380 households, of which 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 25.2% were married couples living together, 30.9% had
4300-425: The city's 21st mayor on December 30, 2019. In May 2021, a $ 300 million Hard Rock Casino location opened in the city. Branded as Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, the location includes memorabilia from local natives Jackson 5 and a 1,950-seat Hard Rock Live performance hall. The city is located at the southern end of the former lake bed of the prehistoric Lake Chicago and the current Lake Michigan . Most of
4386-588: The city's economy with major construction projects, such as a Holiday Inn hotel and the Genesis Convention Center , failed to reverse the decline. In July 1968, riots broke out in Gary. 3,000 National Guard members came in to restore order to the city. Curfews were enforced, and a ban on gasoline and liquor sales helped calm the violence. Over 110 people were arrested, at least three stores were set on fire, and at least 15 fire-bombings were reported. A rapid racial change occurred in Gary during
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#17330853323944472-509: The city's soil, nearly one foot below the surface, is pure sand. The sand beneath Gary and on its beaches is of such volume and quality that for over a century, companies have mined it, especially for the manufacture of glass. According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 50.663 square miles (131.22 km ), of which 49.932 square miles (129.32 km ) is land and 0.731 square miles (1.89 km )
4558-442: The command of Major General Leonard Wood arrived to restore order. The steel industry's jobs provided Gary with rapid growth and a diverse population within the first 26 years of its founding. According to the 1920 United States Census , 29.7% of Gary's population at the time was classified as foreign-born, mostly from eastern European countries, with another 30.8% classified as native-born with at least one foreign-born parent. By
4644-575: The community was built after World War II and the Korean War in the 1950s, in a series of phases. On its south and east, Aetna borders the undeveloped floodplain of the Little Calumet River . Emerson is located in north-central Gary on the east side of Broadway. Located just south of Interstate 90 , Gary City Hall is located in Emerson, along with the Indiana Department of Social Services building and
4730-461: The dunes once again came "alive" and began to shift and move with the wind, weather, and human traffic. Westchester Township, thanks to its sand dunes and marshes, is home to over 1,300 species of flowering plants and ferns. Plants of the desert grow in the same vicinity as plants of the woodland and plants of the prairie. The area is known internationally for this diversity of plant life. More than three hundred varieties of birds have been found in
4816-530: The first city in the Midwest (and one of the first in the entire nation) to fully integrate its public school system. Gary is serviced by the Gary/Chicago International Airport , an alternative airport to the Chicago region's two larger airports. The city's public transport is provided by the Gary Public Transportation Corporation and the South Shore Line passenger railway, which connects to
4902-445: The great hills of sand strung along the shoreline of Lake Michigan. These great hills of sand are approximately 50 to 100 yards back from the water and can range from three quarters of a mile to a mile in width. They were first formed by the northwesterly winds which continue to blow across the lake and carry with them sand that washes up on the shore of Lake Michigan. The sand dunes begin to form around trees and clumps of grass that block
4988-497: The houses were on larger lots. By contrast, a working-class area was made up of row houses made of poured concrete were arranged together and known as "Mill Houses"; they were built to house steel mill workers. The areas known as Emerson and Downtown West combine to form Downtown Gary. It was developed in the 1920s and houses several pieces of impressive architecture, including the Moe House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright , and another,
5074-536: The lake deposit onto the shoreline areas as inordinate amounts of snow. Downtown Gary is separated by Broadway into two distinctive communities. Originally, the City of Gary consisted of The East Side, The West Side, The South Side (the area south of the train tracks near 9th Avenue), and Glen Park, located further South along Broadway. The East Side was demarcated by streets named after the States in order of their acceptance into
5160-517: The late 20th century. These population changes resulted in political change, which reflected Gary's racial demographics: the Black and Hispanic share of the city's population increased from 21% in 1930, 39% in 1960, and 53% in 1970. Black and Hispanic people primarily lived in the Midtown section just south of downtown (per the 1950 Census, 97% of Gary's black population lived in this neighborhood). Gary had one of
5246-426: The nation's first African-American mayors, Richard G. Hatcher , and hosted the groundbreaking 1972 National Black Political Convention . In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Gary had the highest percentage of African-Americans in U.S. cities with a population of 100,000 or more, 84% (as of the 2000 census ). This no longer applies to Gary since the city's population has fallen well below 100,000 residents. As of 2013,
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#17330853323945332-425: The population. 27.6% of residents were under the age of 18, 7.0% were under 5 years of age, and 18.5% were 65 and older. As of the 2010 census , there were 80,294 people, 31,380 households, and 19,691 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,610.2 inhabitants per square mile (621.7/km ). There were 39,531 housing units at an average density of 792.7 per square mile (306.1/km ). The racial makeup of
5418-459: The poverty line, including 37.9% of those under age 18 and 14.1% of those age 65 or over. Meredith Willson 's 1957 Broadway musical The Music Man featured the song " Gary, Indiana ", in which lead character (and con man ) Professor Harold Hill wistfully recalls his purported hometown, then prosperous. Hill claims to be an alumnus of "Gary Conservatory of Music, Class of '05", but this is later revealed to be another of his lies. The City of Gary
5504-603: The region. Department stores and architecturally significant movie houses were built in the downtown and Glen Park neighborhoods. Gary entered a period of decline in the 1960s, like many other American urban centers reliant on one particular industry. Gary's decline was brought on by reduced employment in the steel industry overall, which caused U.S. Steel to lay off many workers from the Gary area. The U.S. Steel Gary Works employed over 30,000 in 1970, declined to just 6,000 by 1990, and declined to 5,100 in August 2015. Attempts to shore up
5590-547: The region. For a time the territory was part of what the French referred to as New France . The area now known as Westchester Township, along with the surrounding areas, remained under French jurisdiction until the close of the French and Indian War in 1763, when it passed into English hands. The Potawatami, who fought on the side of the French, defended the territory so fiercely that when the English assumed control, they attempted to pacify
5676-641: The region. Until the early 19th century, however, the Potawatami remained the dominant force in the area and remained on good terms with the English. The last time the Potawatami of the area took up arms against the United States was in the War of 1812 . The land now known as Westchester Township was included in what Americans referred to first as the Northwest Territory , then the Indiana Territory , and finally
5762-593: The site of numerous events, concerts and graduations), The Palace Theater, Emerson School, St. Luke's Church, H.C. Gordon & Sons, and Goldblatt's Department stores, in addition to the Fair Department Store. All fronted Broadway as the main street that divided Gary. The West Side of Gary, or West of Broadway, the principal commercial street, had streets named after the presidents of the United States in order of their election. Lytton's, Hudson's ladies store, J.C. Penney, and Radigan Bros Furniture Store developed on
5848-517: The southern shore of Lake Michigan , about 50 miles (80 km) southeast of Chicago . It stretches from the famous Indiana Dunes on its northern border, south to the Valparaiso Moraine , a ridge of rolling hills left by the last glacier to pass through the area. As of the 2010 census , its population was 19,396. Westchester Township includes the communities of Chesterton , Porter , Dune Acres , and Burns Harbor . Former communities in
5934-488: The state closing of Cline Avenue , an important access to the area. Today, Gary faces the difficulties of a Rust Belt city, including higher than national average unemployment and decaying infrastructure. Gary has closed several of its schools within the last ten years. While some school buildings have been reused, most remain unused since closing. As of 2014, Gary is considering closing additional schools in response to budget deficits. Gary Chief of Police Thomas Houston
6020-650: The state of Indiana. It was not until 1832 that the American federal government formally extinguished the claims of the Potawatami to the land that is now Westchester Township. Native American trails criss-crossed the land which is now Westchester Township. The east–west trails include the Lake Shore Trail (later called the Fort Dearborn-Detroit Road), Calumet Beach Trail, the Tolleston Beach Trail, and Trail Creek Trail (which later became known as
6106-413: The territory that is now Westchester Township prior to these more famous persons. The first known European to settle in the area was fur-trader Joseph Bailly , who built his trading post on the north bank of the Little Calumet River in 1822. For quite some time the area that is now Westchester Township had close ties with St. Joseph Mission and Fort St. Joseph , both of which were located northeast of
6192-448: The town was 99.06% White , and 0.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.41% of the population. There were 101 households, out of which 13.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.3% were married couples living together, 5.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.8% were non-families. 20.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.9% had someone living alone who
6278-469: The township include Baillytown , City West , and Tremont . Westchester Township is served by the Duneland School Corporation . Its high school is Chesterton High School , its middle school is Chesterton Middle School, its intermediate school is Westchester Intermediate School, and its elementary schools are Baily, Brummit, and Yost Elementary Schools. Westchester Township is served by
6364-570: The vote and her term began in January 2012; she is the first woman elected mayor in the city's history. She was reelected in 2015. She was defeated in her bid for a third term in the 2019 Democratic primary by Lake County Assessor Jerome Prince . Since no challengers filed for the November 2019 general election, Prince's nomination was effectively tantamount to election. He officially succeeded Freeman-Wilson on January 1, 2020, two days after being sworn in as
6450-428: The warmest months, high temperatures average 84 °F (29 °C) and peak just above 100 °F (38 °C), and low temperatures average 63 °F (17 °C). In January and February, the coldest months, high temperatures average around 29 °F (−2 °C) and low temperatures average 13 °F (−11 °C), with at least a few days of temperatures dipping below 0 °F (−18 °C). The weather in Gary
6536-657: The west side of Broadway. Developed later, this side of town was known for its masonry or brick residences, its taller and larger commercial buildings, including the Gary National Bank Building, Hotel Gary (now Genesis Towers), The Knights of Columbus Hotel & Building (now affordable housing fronting 5th Avenue), the Tivoli Theater (demolished), the U.S. Post Office, Main Library, Mercy and Methodist Hospitals and Holy Angels Cathedral and School. The West Side also had
6622-403: The wind's path and continue to shift in size and shape depending on weather patterns and human interference. These great hills have been found to move as much as 10 to 15 feet per year. Before settlers came to the region, the dunes had reached a stable, or "dead" point, as they were completely covered by a forest of white pine. As the settlers began to remove the white pine for lumber, many areas of
6708-408: Was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.0 males. The median income for a household in the city was $ 27,195, and the median income for a family was $ 32,205. Males had a median income of $ 34,992 versus $ 24,432 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 14,383. About 22.2% of families and 25.8% of the population were below
6794-450: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.39. In the town, the population was spread out, with 11.7% under the age of 18, 3.3% from 18 to 24, 13.1% from 25 to 44, 33.8% from 45 to 64, and 38.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 60 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.9 males. The median income for
6880-405: Was 83.9 inhabitants per square mile (32.4/km). There were 163 housing units at an average density of 75.1 per square mile (29.0/km). The racial makeup of the town was 95.1% White , 1.1% African American , 2.2% Asian , 0.5% from other races , and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6% of the population. There were 94 households, of which 10.6% had children under
6966-529: Was closed in 1994 as part of NICTD's effort to consolidate the line's Porter County stations. Since then, the community has been served by the Dune Park station. V-Line 's Orange Line route stops at the station Friday-Sunday, allowing Dune Acres residents to connect to Valparaiso (and vice versa). Coach USA 's Tri-State/United Limo Service stops at the nearby town of Portage, providing a direct connecting to Chicago's O'Hare Airport. Dunes Highway ( U.S. Route 12 )
7052-545: Was convicted of excessive force and abuse of authority in 2008; he died in 2010 while serving a three-year, five-month federal prison sentence. In April 2011, 75-year-old mayor Rudolph M. Clay announced that he would suspend his campaign for reelection as he was being treated for prostate cancer. He endorsed rival Karen Freeman-Wilson , who won the Democratic mayoral primary in May 2011. Freeman-Wilson won election with 87 percent of
7138-472: Was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. According to the 2010 census, Dune Acres has a total area of 3.44 square miles (8.91 km), of which 2.17 square miles (5.62 km) (or 63.08%) is land and 1.27 square miles (3.29 km) (or 36.92%) is water. As of the census of 2010, there were 182 people, 94 households, and 58 families residing in the town. The population density
7224-484: Was named after lawyer Elbert Henry Gary , who was the founding chairman of the United States Steel Corporation. Gary was the site of civil unrest in the 1919 General Steel Strike . On October 4, 1919, a riot broke out on Broadway , the main north–south street through downtown Gary, between steel workers and strike breakers brought in from outside. Indiana governor James P. Goodrich declared martial law three days later. Shortly after that, over 4,000 federal troops under
7310-399: Was not founded until 1906. Willson's musical, set in 1912, was adapted both as a film of the same name released in 1962, and as a television film , produced in 2003. The 1996 urban film Original Gangstas was filmed in the city. It starred Gary native Fred Williamson , Pam Grier , Jim Brown , Richard Roundtree , and Isabel Sanford , among others. Since the early 2000s, Gary has been
7396-519: Was once home to peoples that archaeologists now classify into the Oneota division of Upper Mississippian cultures . The Read Dunes House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2011. At the time of French contact in the early to mid-17th century, the area served as seasonal hunting grounds for both the Potawatami and Miami cultures, though the Potawatami were the dominant people of
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