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57-622: The Michigan City Public Library is a 35,000-square-foot (3,300 m) one level facility located in Michigan City , Indiana . It was designed by the world-renowned architect Helmut Jahn . Jahn designed the building while working for the Chicago architecture firm C.F. Murphy , which later would become Jahn Architects . The design began in 1974 and the construction was completed in 1977. The exterior walls are constructed out of translucent fiberglass , which allows diffused daylight to enter during

114-650: 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. Trail Creek (Lake Michigan) Trail Creek is called myewes-zibiwe ("trail-creek") in the Potawatomi language . The name refers to

171-446: 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

228-622: A leader in the management of the Trail Creek Watershed ever since. Michigan City Sanitary District has been monitoring the Creek since 2005. This data was used to develop the water quality goals of the 2007 Trail Creek Watershed Management Plan: 1. Meet the State Water Quality Standard for E. coli of a monthly geometric mean of 125 cfu/100 mL and a maximum daily standard of 235 cfu/100 mL; 2. Decrease sedimentation and dredging of

285-611: A mix of row crop agriculture, livestock, hayfield, low-density development and natural areas. Historically and to the present, Trail Creek has acted as a natural firebreak. Pinhook Bog in the Trail Creek Watershed was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1965 and is part of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Pinhook Bog is the only true bog in located within Indiana. A bog is a specific type of wetland that accumulates acidic peat from dead plant material. This bog

342-434: A multi-faceted and substantive plan focused on nonpoint sources of pollution, with recommendations to reduce sedimentation and nutrient loading to the stream of Trail Creek. Several demonstration projects including 4 streambank restoration projects and a constructed wetland for residential sewage disposal were implemented with grant monies as a result of the 1993 Trail Creek Watershed Management Plan; however long term monitoring

399-559: A public awareness of the unique and diverse opportunities the stream of Trail Creek Provides. IN DECEMBER of 2003, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) issued a detailed technical report regarding excessive E. coli levels in Trail Creek entitled “Trail Creek Escherichia Coli TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) Report.” This report indicates that for point sources of E. coli pollution, such as wastewater treatment plants,

456-473: A road to homesteaders in central Indiana so that they could export farm crops to Lake Michigan. Michigan City arose from Elston's ambition. Early visitors to the region were captivated by its rugged beauty, its abundance of wildflowers and berries, and especially the majestic Hoosier Slide and other sand dunes. Incorporated in 1836, Michigan City's early prosperity was due to the flowing waters of Trail Creek which afforded good locations for lumber and gristmills. In

513-481: 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

570-533: 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 miles (72 km) east of Chicago and is 40 miles (64 km) 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

627-489: Is distributed in downtown Michigan City. 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. 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). The city has one Government-access television (GATV) station, Access LaPorte County, as well as one channel operated by

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684-419: The eastern massasauga ( Sistrurus catenatus catenatus ), and Mitchell’s satyr butterfly ( Neonympha mitchellii mitchellii ). Trail Creek is one of very few Indiana streams with coldwater habitat capable of supporting salmonid (trout and salmon) spawning. An immediate product of early efforts included the preparation and completion of the “Trail Creek Watershed Management Plan of 1993”. This report offered

741-677: The "Potawatomi Trail" that ran from Chicago along the south shore of Lake Michigan, along Trail Creek, then to Hudson Lake and finally to the French Fort St. Joseph and the nearby Jesuit mission (now Niles, Michigan ) on the St. Joseph River . The French translated this Potawatomi name as la Rivière du Chemin (River of the Trail). From French, the name was translated on into English, leading to such names as "Road River" (1815) and "Chemin River" (1818), as well as

798-485: The "Trail Creek Fen", a 37-acre (15 ha) parcel of raised graminoid fen and the sedge-covered wetland, that was donated to Save the Dunes Conservation Fund in 2005. Boating and fishing are the most prominent uses of the Trail Creek harbor and marina. From the outlet at the marina to the E Street Bridge, the entire navigable channel is lined with residential and commercial structures, marinas and docks, and

855-1053: 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. Michigan City Municipal Airport has

912-714: The 1800s 13 grist mills were located on the banks of Trail Creek. The Trail Creek Watershed, located in northwestern Indiana’s LaPorte County, drains a 59.1 square mile area of mixed land uses into Lake Michigan at Michigan City, IN. The watershed comprises three sub-watersheds: The Main Branch, the East Branch and the West Branch. The Main Branch sub-watershed has the greatest amount of developed land, including commercial, industrial and residential lands. The East Branch and West Branch sub-watersheds are primarily rural in character, including

969-432: The 1993 Trail Creek Watershed Management Plan. Many of those goals and objectives remain valid with the current (2007) plan update. The goals from the 1993 Watershed Management Plan are as follows: 1. Reduce potential health hazards due to poor water quality in the stream of Trail Creek. 2. Improve aquatic life support. Increase quality/quantity of recreational opportunities to stimulate economic growth. 3. Develop

1026-692: 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

1083-542: The Annual "Trail Creek Week". Trail Creek Week is a five-day, hands-on immersive educational experience. Trail Creek is a designated trout and salmon stream, and supports one of the few remaining cold water fisheries in Indiana. In the early 1970s the Indiana Department of Natural Resources began stocking Trail Creek with Chinook salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha ), Coho salmon ( Oncorhynchus kisutch ), Skamania summer-run and winter-run steelhead ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ). As of

1140-652: The Blue Chip casino. Creek Ridge Park located five miles east of US 421 on County Road 400 in Michigan City is also a LaPorte County park. The Northwest Indiana Paddling Association (NWIPA) has led the recreational and stewardship efforts on Trail Creek. As a member of the Trail Creek Watershed Partnership, NWIPA has hosted an annual Trail Creek Fun Float, an annual Ride the Wave Regatta and participated in

1197-456: 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

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1254-616: The National Register of Historic Places. Michigan City is administered under a mayor-council government. The city council is the legislative body and consists of nine members. Six members are elected from six wards, and three are elected at-large. 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

1311-627: 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

1368-424: 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

1425-419: 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

1482-462: 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

1539-480: 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,

1596-510: 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. 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

1653-402: 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. 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

1710-509: 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

1767-478: The city. The population density was 1,606.9 inhabitants per square mile (620.4/km ). There were 14,435 housing units at an average density of 736.9 per square mile (284.5/km ). 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

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1824-443: The cost-share program 3. Achieve improved water quality through urban and agricultural BMPs The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) 2010 fish consumption advisory listed brown trout, carp, rock bass, smallmouth bass and walleye as group 3 or 4 (limit consumption to one meal every 1 to 2 months), with all other fish species limited to one meal per week unless a child or pregnant woman. The Nature Conservancy protected

1881-485: The creek furnished an escape route for 16 Americans and Frenchmen led by Jean-Baptiste Hamelin and Thomas Brady, who were attempting to flee back westward to Cahokia after raiding the British stockpiles at Fort St. Joseph. The ensuing battle , although sometimes called the "Battle of Trail Creek", took place at Petit Fort a day's march further west through the dunes. In 1816 a shoreline survey indicated that Trail Creek

1938-517: The day and creates a soft glow outside at night. These translucent exterior walls do not permit outward views but rather directs attention inward toward an exterior courtyard in the center of the building. The landscaped courtyard provides an outdoor space for reading and various activates for the library visitors. Inside the courtyard, there is a sculpture designed by artist Thomas Scarff, Centura. The sawtoothed roof profile incorporates long clearstory windows that collect soft northern daylight and shields

1995-434: The direct southern sunlight. The exterior façade expresses the structural pipe columns and sawtooth roof structure. Originally the exposed steel structure was painted white, but have since then been painted grey. The main entrance originally featured a covered recessed entrance with one of the clearstory windows continuing through exterior space to the edge of the building, expressing the buildings transparency and structure at

2052-401: The end of 2010 Trail Creek had produced the Indiana state record Chinook salmon (caught by Rich Baker in 1980 and weighed 38 pounds) and the state record Steelhead Trout (caught by Evan Nicholson in 1999 and weighing 26.62 pounds). The creek also had the state record Brown trout ( Salmo trutta ) (caught in 1999 by Steven Bay and weighing 24.18 pounds) until 2006 when a larger one (26.06 pounds)

2109-673: 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. 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

2166-407: The entrance. Later the recessed entrance was enclosed to provide a vestibule. This helps to prevent blasts of cold winter air in the winter but it flattened the façade and negatively changed the character of the entrance. Inside all of the ceiling and roof elements, including suspended lights, and exposed colorfully painted ductwork is arranged along the diagonal clearstory structural grid, while all of

2223-456: The implementation of the WMP. A Section 319 grant was secured and the project began in 2012. The goals of the project were to: 1. Implement the Trail Creek watershed management plan by developing and implementing a cost-share program for BMPs in critical urban and agricultural areas identified in the plan 2. Contract with an individual to serve as an implementation coordinator to develop and administer

2280-579: The load allocations (LA) developed under this TMDL.” The preparation of this watershed management plan update is the next logical step in achieving cleaner water in northwestern LaPorte County as envisioned by IDEM in 2003.(Trail Creek Watershed Management Plan, 2007) The Michigan City Sanitary District took on the challenge of leading the development of the Trail Creek Watershed Management Plan, approved by IDEM in April 2007, and has remained

2337-595: The local school system (MCAS). 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

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2394-580: The modern name Trail Creek. During the 17th and 18th centuries, Trail Creek served from time to time as an escape route for raiding parties moving in or out of the Illinois River valley. During the 17th-century Beaver Wars , Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) warriors used it as an eastward escape route after attacking villages of the Illinois Confederacy . This led to an alternative French name for Trail Creek, la rivière aux Iroquois . Likewise in 1780,

2451-506: The navigable channel. Total Suspended Solid goal of 15 mg/L; 3. Decrease nutrient loading in Trail Creek to the target concentrations (0.05 mg/L ortho-phosphorus, 0.05 mg/L total phosphorus, 0.25 to 0.1 mg/L nitrogen ammonia, 1.0 mg/L TKN, and 10 mg/L nitrate-nitrite); 4. Maintain a natural stream channel and flow In 2011, the Trail Creek Watershed Steering Committee decided to begin

2508-461: The nearest Amtrak station is New Buffalo, Michigan , about ten miles away. 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

2565-517: 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

2622-487: The sand being used for glassmaking and also for landfill in Chicago's Jackson Park and for the Illinois Central Railroad right-of-way. The former site of Hoosier Slide was acquired by Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) to construct a coal-generating power plant in the late 1920s. In 1832, Isaac Elston bought 160 acres (65 ha) of land including Trail Creek and the harbor, intending to build

2679-585: 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. 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 acres (65 ha) of land. The now-closed Elston Middle School, formerly Elston High School,

2736-576: The walls and furnishings are organized orthogonally, relating to the building envelope. The interior space is open and flexible. Administrative offices have low partitions near the perimeter and the only full-height walls are for meeting spaces and building services. The original interiors had warm striped yellow and gold carpeting with blue upholstered seating, which was later replaced. The exposed white ceilings with exposed white structural steel and green ductwork painted ductwork remain as originally designed. Michigan City, Indiana Michigan City

2793-450: The “NPDES permitting and monitoring requirements will provide the necessary reasonable assurance that these sources are not contributing to violations of state E. coli standards.” For non-point sources of E. coli pollution, the report concludes that: “non-point sources will need to be monitored locally for implementation of BMPs (best management practices) or in providing access to watershed grants to assist in reducing non-point sources to meet

2850-482: Was 1,678.6 inhabitants per square mile (648.1/km ). There were 14,221 housing units at an average density of 725.6 per square mile (280.2/km ). 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

2907-399: Was 30 feet (9 m) wide. At its mouth and on the harbor's western bank stood Hoosier Slide , a 200-foot-tall (60 m) sand dune The summit of the majestic dune was mantled with trees, and picnics and weddings were held there where Chicago tourists enjoyed a beautiful view of the lake and the vast lumberyards of Washington Park. Hoosier Slide was removed by sand mining from 1890 to 1920,

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2964-550: Was formed by glacial meltwater on a clay bed. Pinhook Bog consists of about 580 acres (230 ha), of which approximately 145 acres (59 ha) are a floating peat mat, with approximately 45 acres (18 ha) of wetland separating the bog from the adjacent uplands. Federally threatened, endangered, or candidate species noted in LaPorte County include the Indiana bat ( Myotis sodalis ), the bald eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ),

3021-555: 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 square miles (39 km ). 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 miles (240 km) southeast,

3078-414: Was not implemented nor were additional grant monies sought for implementation. The Watershed Management plan stated that a “Lead Agency” needed to be identified to coordinate watershed improvement activities. In hindsight, a fatal shortcoming of the implementation of the 1993 Watershed management plan was that no “Lead Agency” was ever identified. FOUR goals and a variety of objectives were identified within

3135-426: Was the host city. According to the 2010 census, Michigan City has an area of 22.855 square miles (59.19 km ), of which 19.59 square miles (50.74 km ) (or 85.71%) is land and 3.265 square miles (8.46 km ) (or 14.29%) is water. Michigan City is home to Trail Creek , which flows into Lake Michigan . The highest recorded temperature was 104 °F (40 °C) in 1953. The lowest recorded temperature

3192-513: 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

3249-412: Was −23 °F (−31 °C) 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. As of the census of 2010, there were 31,479 people, 12,136 households, and 7,147 families living in

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