City West, Indiana facts for kids
City West was a small village in Porter County, Indiana, USA. It was located right on the shore of Lake Michigan. This spot was about 10 miles west of Michigan City, Indiana. The village was near the mouth of Fort Creek, which is now called Dunes Creek. This creek flows into Lake Michigan near the swimming beach at Indiana Dunes State Park.
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How City West Began and Ended
Four men – Jacob Bigelow, William Morse, Jacob Hobart, and Leverett Bradley – started City West in 1836. They hoped it would become a big, important city.
However, the village was completely empty by late 1839. This happened because of a big money problem called the Panic of 1837. Banks wanted their loans paid back, and the US government did not give the money it had promised for a port. Without a port or enough money, people left.
A Famous Visitor and Big Hopes
On July 4, 1837, a very important person visited City West. This was US Senator Daniel Webster. He gave a speech to the people of City West. He wished them good luck for their "grand city on the lake."
The people living there, who were part of the Whig political group, got very excited. They thought Senator Webster's visit meant they would definitely get money to build a huge port. But this money never came.
What Happened to the Village?
In 1840, some people visited the now-empty village. One of them was 12-year-old T.H. Ball. He found only empty houses where the village used to be.
The last news about City West came in 1854. People nearby saw a glow in the sky and smelled burning wood. It seemed to be coming from the direction of City West. Later that month, they found the village was destroyed by fire.
Only a long, wooden pier, about 650 feet long, was left. This pier stretched out into Lake Michigan. It lasted until the late 1870s before it broke apart and disappeared into the lake.
Life in City West
The town was planned to have 25 blocks. There were also plans for a railroad and a canal. The canal would connect the lake to the Little Calumet River. But neither the railroad nor the canal were ever built.
At its busiest, City West had about 16 to 20 families living there. There were no schools or official churches. The village did have a sawmill, which used water power from Fort Creek. There was also a large hotel. After the village was abandoned, the hotel sat empty for several years. In the early 1850s, it was moved to a nearby town called Chesterton.
Native American History
Between the town and the lake was a burial ground for the Potawatomi people. Potawatomi trading groups often visited City West. They were usually on their way to Baillytown. People were still buried at the Potawatomi cemetery as late as 1838.
City West Today
The old site of City West is now part of the Indiana Dunes State Park. The only thing left that reminds people of the village is a park shelter. It is named the City West Shelter.
