NORTHWEST INDIANA
LAKE COUNTY, IN
County Offices
2293 North Main Street
Crown Point, IN 219-755-3000
www.lakecountyin.org
Chamber of Commerce
839 Broadway
Gary, IN 219-885-7407
www.garychamber.com
With the city of Gary as its largest community and Crown Point as the seat of government, Lake County is a study on contrasts. Long-established industrial cities that emerged as mighty steel-mill centers combine with sleepy villages and small towns for a kaleidoscope of settings and lifestyles. Taking as its slogan, “The environment that means business,” Lake County is a proud recipient of the Association of Indiana Counties Outstanding Achievement Award. Lake County is perched in the extreme northwest corner of Indiana. Borders include shimmering Lake Michigan to the north, Porter County to the east, Jasper County to the southeast, and the state of Illinois to the west. Important thoroughfares that serve the area include Interstate 80-94, Interstate 65, and US Highways 30 and 41. Mass transit options facilitate commutes to regional employment centers, including passenger rail service into Chicago
Services
State-of-the-art healthcare is available throughout Lake County in a comprehensive network of facilities and services that are anchored by major hospitals and medical centers. Gary is the home of Methodist Hospital, which provides specialties and centers of excellence in spinal injuries, neurosurgery, cancer care, maternal and child health, gerontology, hip replacement surgery, and cardiac care. The Saint Margaret Mercy Healthcare Centers system provides the largest acute-care hospital complex in Northwest Indiana, with campuses in Hammond and Dyer. The system also encompasses more than 20 off-site locations and a health club that serves thousands of members. Other leading hospitals close to home for residents of Lake County include St. Anthony Medical Center in Crown Point, Community Hospital in Munster, St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart, and St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago. The latter three institutions are part of the Community Healthcare System, a premier provider of facilities and services to residents of Northwest Indiana.
Education is viewed as a lifelong pursuit in Lake County, where public and private institutions cater to students of all ages. The Gary Community School System is the largest of the region’s districts, encompassing special education facilities, a career center, the Lincoln Achievement Center, Martin Luther King Jr. Academy, and the Emerson School of Visual & Performing Arts Center. Higher education is available close to home, from two-year institutions like Ivy Tech State College to Purdue Calumet in Hammond, Calumet College of St. Joseph in Whiting, Indiana University Northwest in Gary, and Valparaiso University in Valparaiso. Crown Point is also home to the private Baptist institution of Hyles Anderson College. Students can choose from an impressive variety of degree and certification programs as well as graduate, post-graduate, and professional studies.
Lifestyle
From the cultural enrichment provided by its college and university campuses to picturesque marinas and championship golf courses, Lake County provides a self-contained world of attractions and amenities. Lake Street shopping in Gary is only blocks from Lake Street beach and the water sports of Lake Michigan. Lined with unique shops and galleries, this unique district harmonizes with modern malls and regional shopping centers in retail hubs like Merrillville and Hobart. The suburbs that were once considered to be bedroom communities for Gary—Merrillville, Hammond, and East Chicago—have emerged as vibrant business and commercial centers in their own right. While Chicago’s world-class advantages are easily accessible, dining opportunities from elegant to casual combine with popular entertainment centers right in Lake County. The stars are shining throughout the calendar year at the Holiday Star Theater, while the Genesis Convention Center hosts a medley of special events from sports to concerts.
The county manages ten parks that include 3,400 acres of woodlands and green belts for hiking, walking, biking, and cross-country skiing. Outdoor enjoyment, relaxation, and recreation are also available in city-owned parks, Lake Michigan beaches, and regional natural areas that support fishing and hunting. Indiana’s premier summer playground, Deep River Waterpark, is located approximately 30 minutes from Northwest Indiana and Chicago Southland communities. Facilities throughout the county include championship golf courses, tennis courts, sports fields and courts, fitness centers, boat ramps, playgrounds, and nature trails. In recent years, Lake County has become a favored getaway for residents of Chicago and its suburbs who are drawn to the region’s shoreline and exciting casino resorts for relaxation and recreation. Colorful celebrations and festivals contribute to community spirit and serve as additional magnets for the growing tourism industry. Community theater, historic sites, fine museums, galleries, auto racing, u-pick farms, antique malls, and the sprawling expanse of the Indiana Dunes are just a few of the countless reasons that Lake County is a preferred place to call home in Chicago Southland.
Cedar Lake
Municipal Offices
219-374-7400
www.cedarlakein.org
Chamber of Commerce
219-374-6157
www.cedarlakechamber.com
In the days when Crown Point was heralded as the “marriage capital” of Indiana, it was the beautiful Cedar Lake where couples often spent their honeymoon. This historic town claims the focal point of an 800-acre lake, which made it a popular summer vacation destination for Chicago residents around the turn of the century. As late as the 1920s, the area bustled with hotels and steamboat tour lines. The largest structure remaining from that era is the Lake of the Red Cedars Museum. The 1950s saw several big-band dance halls spring up along the shoreline, including the popular Midway Ballroom that was destroyed by fire as late as 1987. While the heyday of the town as a tourist attraction has passed, newcomers to modern Cedar Lake will enjoy the small-town atmosphere and a variety of housing options from cozy cottages to newer construction. Local parks and a community center provide facilities for parties, meetings, picnics, and swimming. The town is also home to the 110-acre campus for the private Baptist institution of Hyles-Anderson College.
Crown Point
Municipal Offices
219-662-3250
https://www.crownpoint.in.gov/
Chamber of Commerce
219-769-8180
https://cpchamber.org/
Located in close proximity to Interstate 65 and Chicago’s world-class attractions, Crown Point blends suburban and rural areas that cater to many lifestyles. The quaint town square features shops with handmade crafts and antiques as well as popular restaurants. Elegant Victorian homes surrounding the square add to the charm of the downtown district and the entire community. The crowning architectural treasure is “The Grand Old Lady,” the 1878 courthouse that has served as a landmark for Lake County through the decades. During the 1920s and ’30s, Crown Point was known as the “marriage mill” because no waiting period was required for marriage licenses. Ronald Reagan, Rudolph Valentino, and Muhammad Ali are among the famous people who were married in Crown Point. With its hometown feeling, Crown Point remains a family-oriented city with good schools, abundant recreational facilities and opportunities, cultural enrichment, a major healthcare institution, and wonderful neighborhoods. The close-knit spirit of the community is embodied in the many colorful festivals and celebrations that bring family, friends, and neighbors together. Thriving businesses, active social and civic clubs, and an ideal location along Interstate 65 have gained Crown Point a reputation as a wonderful place to live and raise a family.
Dyer
Municipal Offices
219-865-6108
www.townofdyer.com
Chamber of Commerce
219-365-4686
https://stjohndyerchamber.com/
Situated along the Illinois state line and nestled in a rolling landscape, the fast-growing town of Dyer lies 15 miles south of Lake Michigan. Sprawling over six square miles, the town has developed green space and recreational facilities in a dozen parks that total nearly 77 acres. Healthcare plays a vital role in the local economy, since Dyer is home to a campus for Saint Margaret Mercy Healthcare Centers. A nursing center represents another major employer, although several other thriving companies are located in Dyer. Preserving the heritage of yesterday while maintaining a progressive attitude, the town is home to a branch of the Lake County library system and many active groups and clubs that enhance the quality of life. Residents enjoy the convenience of a branch library in the Lake County Library system. Boating and water-sport enthusiasts as well as anglers will find a natural paradise in the Lake Michigan shoreline and waters near Dyer.
East Chicago
Municipal Offices
219-391-8200
www.eastchicago.com
Chamber of Commerce
219-931-1000
www.lakeshorechamber.com
Often called the “Workshop of the World,” East Chicago is an exceptionally diverse and cooperative community of hard-working residents—many of whom are employed by local businesses and industrial firms. The city is proud of is working-class heritage and its strong steel-industry roots. Bordered by the deep waters and picturesque shoreline of Lake Michigan, East Chicago also offers an extensive park system that encompasses sports fields and courts, playgrounds, picnic areas, and a community center with performance stage. The city is one of the first truly industrial centers in Northwest Indiana and was originally called the Twin City. A rail yard once split the western section of the community from the Indiana Harbor area. Creating a microcosm of Chicago or even New York City, the community has evolved from yesterday’s melting pot where four out of five residents were foreign born. One of the most famous remnants of the past is the Marktown Historic District, a 1917 enclave of elegant Tudor Revival homes with English Garden City styling. Scenic marinas, public launch ramps, fishing piers and popular “floating casinos” add water-oriented recreation—both indoors and under the bright blue skies.
Gary
Municipal Offices
219-881-1300
https://gary.gov/
Chamber of Commerce
219-885-7407
www.garychamber.com
The bustling metropolitan city of Gary serves as the hub of Northwest Indiana, just minutes from downtown Chicago. Lake Michigan and three major interstates are among the transportation assets for residents and businesses alike. Situated at the northern end of Lake County, Gary offers everything from lakefront beauty to championship golf courses and outstanding shopping. Some of the most famous of the architectural treasures in the city are the statues that grace public places, the Gary Bathing Beach Aquatorium, Marquette Pavilion, and a number of Frank Lloyd Wright homes. The vintage Westside historic district reflects a variety of architectural styles in homes that were originally part of a 1906 “company town” built by U.S. Steel. More modern attractions include the Gary Steelheads baseball team and beautiful recreational beaches. Water sports, fishing, golfing, live state performances, popular casinos, and a pulsating nightlife have made Gary attractive to visitors as well as to newcomers. Alive with culture and history, Gary is shifting from its steel-industry past into a progressive future that relies heavily on high technology.
Griffith
Municipal Offices
219-924-7500
www.griffith.in.gov
Chamber of Commerce
219-923-3666
http://highlandgriffithchamber.com
Founded in 1854 and incorporated around the turn of the century, the well-established community of Griffith boasts 60 miles of streets in a compact seven-square-mile area. Housing styles are varied and reflect the architectural styling of their periods. Residents enjoy a kaleidoscope of recreational facilities that include lush parks with picnic pavilions, volleyball courts, a bandstand, historic sites, play areas for children, and multi-purpose trails. Central Park often doubles as a venue for special events and celebrations like The Park Full of Art and the Gospel Fest. Those who prefer a serene environment for nature study will enjoy Hoosier Prairie Nature Preserve, an ideal retreat for bird watching or quiet walks along scenic trails. The county manages Oak Ridge Prairie with its picnic pavilions, fishing pond, and trails. Residents take pride in their properties and are active in organizations that promote beautification.
Hammond
Municipal Offices
219-853-6300
www.gohammond.com
Chamber of Commerce
219-931-1000
www.lakeshorechamber.com
The bustling university town of Hammond offers a well-developed suburban environment that incorporates residential, commercial, business, and industrial sectors. The Jean Shepherd Community Center provides a focal point for the community and a place to enjoy the arts, athletics, and nature. Wolf Lake Park features scenic Wolf Lake, one of the finest sites for windsurfing in the region. The park combines with Lake Front Park and Hammond Marina Beach to ensure abundant opportunities for outdoor adventure and water sports. Other leisure-time facilities and activities include swimming pools, tennis courts, volleyball, sports leagues, a fitness center, aerobics classes, bowling, environmental education, ballroom dancing, and a municipal golf course. Purdue University Calumet, community theater, a lively downtown district, a revitalized commercial sector, a major hospital campus, good schools, and quality services keep Hammond at the forefront of growth and development. The housing selection is diverse, ranging from historic homes and modest bungalows to newer construction.
Highland
Municipal Offices
219-838-1080
www.highland.in.gov
Chamber of Commerce
219-923-3666
http://highlandgriffithchamber.com
Featuring a town square gazebo that serves as a focal point for community events and outdoor productions, Hammond offers a close-knit atmosphere. The town intersperses residential neighborhoods with lush green space and recreational amenities in a number of parks. Residents can also take advantage of affordable golfing at the municipal course. Nearby Merrillville with its strong retail sector and Munster with a community hospital and performing and visual arts center add to the quality of life. Other nearby attractions include performances by the Northwest Indiana Symphony, the world-class arts community in Chicago, and the concert halls and cultural enrichment provided by area colleges and universities. The vast expanse of Indiana Dunes State Park is available only 25 miles from home, including the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Often compared to Arizona’s Grand Canyon in the scope of its majesty, the Indiana Dunes region is a naturalist’s paradise. Hammond offers a location in close proximity to major interstate highways for quick commutes.
Hobart City
Municipal Offices
219-942-1940
www.cityofhobart.org
Chamber of Commerce
219-942-5774
www.hobartchamber.com
Newcomers to Hobart will discover a community that blends the finest aspects of urban convenience with the relaxation and slower place of country living. Public and private schools, employment opportunities, medical services, expanded shopping opportunities, and lively options for entertainment and recreation are all close to home. Hobart joins Merrillville to form the retail center of Northwest Indiana along Interstate 65 just minute from Gary. Modern malls feature popular restaurants, cafes, eateries, entertainment, specialty shops, and leading department stores to attract regional customers. The cultural center of the Midwest is just a 45-minute drive away in downtown Chicago, home to professional sports teams, world-class zoos, museums, theatres, five-star dining, and high fashion. With its quiet lifestyle and strategic location, Hobart offers the best of all worlds. Excellent access to major roadways, railways, airports, and waterways like the Port of Indiana combine with a natural setting and rural charm for a rare quality of life. Deep River Park with its historic mill is a major recreational site close to home.
Lake Station
Municipal Offices
219-962-2081
www.lakestation-in.gov
Chamber of Commerce
219-885-7407
www.garychamber.com
The community of Lake Station was the site of a major steel operation at the turn of the century. At one time, the town was marketed as “East Gary” to attract executives and managers to a bedroom community atmosphere. Even today, the city remains primarily residential and boasts a rich history. Locally, Lake Station is known as the crossroads of America because of the easy access to interstate 80/94, the Indiana toll road, and Lake Michigan. According to oral history, Lake Station welcomed Abraham Lincoln as a guest of the Audubon Hotel on more than one occasion. Selected as a Millennium Community by Indiana’s governor, the community has initiated projects that will preserve its heritage, revitalize today’s infrastructure, and ensure a bright future. Planners are interested in promoting the advantages of Lake Station as an ideal location for quality business and industry that might be attracted to the city’s undeveloped land. The cooperative attitude marking the new millennium is enabling the city to move forward in an atmosphere of careful planning. Interstate 65 runs along the city’s western boundary, with Interstates 80, 90, and 94 accessible along the northern boundary.
Lowell
Municipal Offices
219-696-7794
www.lowell.net
Chamber of Commerce
219-696-0231
https://lowellinchamber.co/
The welcoming, small community of Lowell stretches over a 4.5-square-mile area to balance residential neighborhoods with retail activity and professional services from banks to physicians and dentists. Several of the industries in the town employ several hundred employees, adding the possibility of local employment to the list of Lowell’s advantages. The economic mix includes service-oriented businesses, several wholesale traders, and scores of retail establishments. The degree of development in a town of the size of Lowell seems less unusual in light of the surrounding area. Lowell provides a commercial hub for residents of surrounding townships including West Creek, Cedar Creek, and Eagle Creek. Residents enjoy a kaleidoscope of outdoor adventures and recreational opportunities that include golfing, boating, fishing, and water sports on Cedar Lake and Kankakee River. Local celebrations and festivities range from historic battle reenactments to Oktoberfest and holiday events. Private country clubs, an active parks and recreation department, civic and social clubs, and county parkland add to the quality of life.
Merrillville
Municipal Offices
219-769-5711
www.merrillville.in.gov
Chamber of Commerce
219-769-8180
www.crossroadschamber.org
The sprawling community of Merrillville enjoys a strategic location at the center of several major transportation links. At one time, the unincorporated communities of Merrillville, Rexville, Lottaville, Ainsworth, Turkey Creek, Ross, and Deep River were all governed by Ross Township. In 1971, this collection of small communities united to form the incorporated town of Merrillville. Along with Hobart, Merrillville has evolved into a retail hub for Northwest Indiana and the home of a regional mall. The town also offers a major healthcare institution, an expansive library, and an abundance of lush parkland. Within the town boundaries are more than two dozen local parks, a Lake County park, and a state park. Private and public golf courses and nearby lakes appeal to outdoor enthusiasts, while families appreciate easy access to quality facilities in neighborhood parks from picnic areas to playgrounds and sports fields. Attractions in Gary, Crown Point, Hobart, and Schererville are all available within minutes from Merrillville.
Munster
Municipal Offices
219-836-6900
www.munster.org
Chamber of Commerce
219-836-5549
www.munsterchamber.org
The distinctive quality of life that characterizes the community of Munster may seem very natural, but it represents careful planning over several decades of growth and development. Residents and civic leaders share pride in the considerable attributes and assets of Munster, including attractive neighborhoods, lush parks, an active spirit of volunteerism, exemplary services, blue-ribbon schools, and a healthy local economy. Although the region that surrounds Munster greatly expands the opportunities for cultural enrichment, Munster is home to the first-rate Center for Visual and Performing Arts. Residents are able to meet routine and many specialized healthcare needs around the corner from home at a community hospital that combines advanced technologies with personalized care. The town has become an increasingly attractive choice for businesses, individuals, and families who are drawn to the ideal location and appreciate the proud spirit that continues to mold and guide the community.
New Chicago
Municipal Offices
219-962-1157
www.townofnewchicago.org
Chamber of Commerce
219-942-5774
www.hobartchamber.com
The small town of New Chicago provides an intimate community environment surrounded by several highly development cities and urban centers. The retail hub of Hobart and the primarily residential haven of Lake Station are both neighbors of New Chicago. Not far from home, Gary provides an exceptional retail district of unique shops and restaurants as well as major performing arts centers, historic sites, fine museums, and popular galleries. Those who are looking for a hometown setting where neighbors greet each other by name and stop to talk on evening strolls or from front porches will want to explore the housing opportunities in New Chicago. Regional recreational amenities are outstanding including aquatics, tennis, golf, sports leagues, and virtually unlimited outdoor adventures in vast parkland and national preserves. Several colleges and universities are available close to home, including Indiana University Northwest in Gary and Purdue University Calumet in Hammond.
Saint John
Municipal Offices
219-365-6465
www.stjohnin.com
Chamber of Commerce
219-365-4686
https://stjohndyerchamber.com/
Characterized by rapid growth and expansion, St. John provides a relaxed country atmosphere, the open space of picturesque farmland, and the world-class resources of major metropolitan centers within a reasonable commute. Interstates 80, 94, 65, and 90 ensure a quick trip to surrounding cities including Chicago, Gary, Hammond, and Merrillville. Regional malls, college and university campuses, professional sports, leading employment centers, and major hospitals are only minutes from a St. John address. Because of the town’s rare blend of “town and country,” St. John is a magnet for new suburban residents who enjoy an above-average income level. These consumers, in turn, create a demand for upscale commercial development and quality services. Residential developments are on the rise, blending beautiful new subdivisions and upscale homes with well-kept traditional neighborhoods. Golfing, tennis, fishing, boating, camping, hiking, biking, and sports play are common pastimes.
Schererville
Municipal Offices
219-322-2211
www.schererville.org
Chamber of Commerce
219-322-5412
https://scherervillechamber.org
Often called the “crossroads of the nation,” Schererville has benefited from an ideal location at the intersection of important thoroughfares. From the trails made by the first settlers to the modern highways of 30 and 41, the town is well positioned for growth and development. Planners are dedicated to keeping pace with the demands made by new residents, including additions to the school system and a solid infrastructure. Several private schools, both parochial and independent, expand the alternatives for parents. The town is proud of its rich history, including the 1866 incorporation with only 25 families. From its German agricultural roots, the community has diversified and expanded into a balanced, mid-sized town with a family-oriented atmosphere. Local shops, eateries, a new Town Hall complex, excellent schools, golf courses regional malls, and nearby hospitals ensure a high quality of life. Abundant parks feature sports facilities and green space for programs and activities, although close proximity to Indiana Dunes State Park greatly expands the opportunities for outdoor adventure and water sports.
Schneider
Municipal Offices
219-552-0661
Chamber of Commerce
219-769-8180
https://www.crossroadschamber.org/
The tiny town of Schneider is home to only a few hundred residents who enjoy a rural location near the LaSalle Fish & Wildlife Area and Kankakee River. Water-sports and boating enthusiasts enjoy close proximity to regional recreational destinations including Beaver Lake, Conrad Savanna, and Cedar Lake. The communities of Lowell and Crown Point are nearby, adding valuable services and conveniences from healthcare centers to retail and commercial development. Nature students will want to explore Beaver Lake Nature Preserve, covering 640 acres with the beauty of prairie flowers and grasses as well as stands of cottonwoods and beautiful savannas. Housing opportunities in the Schneider area range from quaint farmhouses and country homes to modest bungalows in the heart of town. Newcomers who dream of a rural lifestyle in Indiana’s farm country will find a friendly hometown within a reasonable commute from the finest amenities and attractions in the Midwest.
Whiting
Municipal Offices
219-659-7700
www.whitingindiana.com
Chamber of Commerce
219-659-0292
www.whitingindiana.com
One of the best-kept secrets in Northwest Indiana lies on the south shore of Lake Michigan, a city that emerged with railroading and steel activity in the late 1800s. Whiting claims the distinction of historic architecture including an Andrew Carnegie Library and the Hoosier Theatre as well as elegant “character” homes shaded by ancient trees. Many of the streets in the heart of town bear the names of the city’s founders, and the commercial district harmonizes unique shops with family-owned businesses. The rich heritage of the Whiting area is colorfully displayed in diverse festivals and celebrations, parades, summer concerts, and special events throughout the year. In addition to beautiful well-kept older homes, newer construction in modern subdivisions is also available. Some of the new homes in Whiting are only a five-minute walk from Lake Michigan, while others command spectacular views near the city’s Lakefront Park and a county beach. Lush local parks, a local library, a private college, attractive and affordable housing, and vast recreational opportunities ensure a rare quality of life in a serene hometown atmosphere just four miles from several interstate highways.
Winfield, Lakes of the Four Seasons
Municipal Offices
219-662-2665
www.winfieldgov.com
Community Association
Lakes of the Four Seasons
219-988-2581
www.lofs.org
Chamber of Commerce
219-769-8180
https://www.crossroadschamber.org/
Graced by the natural beauty of two lakes, the communities of Winfield and Lakes of the Four Seasons are located near the growing community of Crown Point. Highly respected Crown Point schools serve this area, and the opportunities for higher education close to home range from technical and career institutions to major state universities like Indiana University Northwest and Purdue University Calumet. Lakes of the Four Seasons is actually the newer and larger of the two communities, although it remains unincorporated. This gated development located halfway between Crown Point and Valparaiso encompasses a championship golf course, lush parks, playgrounds, athletic fields, tennis courts, beaches, a swimming pool, restaurants, and a well-equipped clubhouse. The community boasts many active clubs and organizations that add to the close-knit spirit and opportunities for social interaction. The community is professionally managed in concert with the property owners association. Regional malls, shopping centers, performing art centers, and leading hospitals are all located close to home.
