Crown Point, Indiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Crown Point, Indiana
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Lake County courthouse in Crown Point
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| Nickname(s):
Hub of Lake County
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Location of Crown Point in Lake County, Indiana.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Indiana |
| County | Lake |
| Township | Center and Ross |
| Government | |
| • Type | city council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 17.98 sq mi (46.58 km2) |
| • Land | 17.93 sq mi (46.44 km2) |
| • Water | 0.05 sq mi (0.14 km2) |
| Elevation | 717 ft (219 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 33,899 |
| • Density | 1,890.63/sq mi (729.98/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP codes |
46307-46308
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| Area code | 219 |
| FIPS code | 18-16138 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2393682 |
Crown Point is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. It is the main city, also known as the county seat. In 2020, about 33,899 people lived here. The city was officially formed in 1868.
The first settlers, Solon Robinson and his family, arrived on October 31, 1834. Because of its central spot, Crown Point is often called the "Hub of Lake County." The city is surrounded by other towns like Merrillville, Winfield, and Cedar Lake.
Contents
History of Crown Point
On October 31, 1834, Solon Robinson and his family were the first people to settle in the area that became Crown Point. In 1837, Lake County was created. At first, Liverpool, Indiana, was the county seat.
Later that year, Solon Robinson paid $500 to build a new wooden courthouse in Crown Point. Because of this, the government decided to make Crown Point the new county seat. Crown Point officially became a city in 1868.
The Grand Old Lady Courthouse
In 1878, work began on a bigger courthouse with a clock tower. This building, known as the Grand Old Lady, became a main feature of Crown Point. More parts were added to it between 1907 and 1928.
Many important events happened at the courthouse. In 1896, William Jennings Bryan spoke there when he was running for president. In 1909, Crown Point hosted the first Cobe Trophy Race, an early car race won by Louis Chevrolet.
The Old Lake County Courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. A new government building opened nearby the next year.
The "Marriage Mill"
Crown Point was once famous as the "Marriage Mill." This was because couples could get married quickly without a long waiting period for a license. Many famous people came to Crown Point to get married. These included Tom Mix, Rudolph Valentino, Muhammad Ali, and Jackson 5 family leader Joseph Jackson.
Famous Buildings and Areas
Several buildings and areas in Crown Point are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include the Walter Allman House and the Lake County Courthouse.
There are also local historic areas where old homes are protected:
- Sunnyside Historic District: This area includes St. Mary's Church and School, plus homes around them.
- Holley Historic District: This district has 20 homes and one church. It includes the home of former Sheriff Lillian Holley.
The Notorious Jail Escape
On March 3, 1934, a famous person named John Dillinger escaped from the Lake County Jail. This jail was thought to be "escape-proof" and was guarded by many police officers.
Dillinger reportedly used a fake wooden gun, colored with shoe polish, to escape. He then drove away in the new car of Sheriff Lillian Holley. This event made the city and Sheriff Holley very well-known.
Public Enemies Film
In March 2008, a film crew from Universal Studios came to Crown Point. They filmed parts of the movie Public Enemies at the old county jail.
The movie is about FBI agent Melvin Purvis trying to stop famous criminals during the The Great Depression. Christian Bale played Agent Purvis, and Johnny Depp played Dillinger. Actress Lili Taylor played Sheriff Holley. The filming took three days, with many scenes shot inside the old jail.
Geography of Crown Point
Crown Point is located on the Valparaiso Moraine, which is a type of landform. The city covers about 17.7 square miles (45.9 square kilometers). Most of this area is land.
Crown Point is about 40 miles (64 kilometers) southeast of downtown Chicago.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 1,708 | — | |
| 1890 | 1,907 | 11.7% | |
| 1900 | 2,336 | 22.5% | |
| 1910 | 2,526 | 8.1% | |
| 1920 | 3,232 | 27.9% | |
| 1930 | 4,046 | 25.2% | |
| 1940 | 4,643 | 14.8% | |
| 1950 | 5,839 | 25.8% | |
| 1960 | 8,443 | 44.6% | |
| 1970 | 10,931 | 29.5% | |
| 1980 | 16,455 | 50.5% | |
| 1990 | 17,728 | 7.7% | |
| 2000 | 19,806 | 11.7% | |
| 2010 | 27,317 | 37.9% | |
| 2020 | 33,899 | 24.1% | |
| Source: US Census Bureau | |||
In 2020, Crown Point had a population of 33,899 people. The city has grown steadily over the years.
In 2010, there were 27,317 people living in Crown Point. About 29.5% of households had children under 18. The average age in the city was 39.6 years old.
Education in Crown Point
Students in Crown Point attend schools run by the Crown Point Community School Corporation. Some residents in Ross Township go to schools in the Merrillville Community School Corporation.
Public Schools
The Crown Point Community School Corporation manages these public schools:
- Crown Point High School
- Robert A. Taft Middle School
- Colonel John Wheeler Middle School
- Timothy Ball Elementary School
- Eisenhower Elementary School
- Lake Street Elementary School
- Solon Robinson Elementary School
- Crossroads Alternative Achievement Center
Private Schools and Colleges
Crown Point also has private schools and colleges:
- Pathway Christian School
- Trinity Lutheran School
- St. Mary Catholic Community School
- Avicenna Academy
- Hyles-Anderson College
- University of Saint Francis
Public Library
The city has a public library called the Crown Point Community Public Library. It has two locations for people to borrow books and use resources.
Getting Around Crown Point
The Gary Public Transportation Corporation offers bus service in some parts of Crown Point. There are plans to expand bus routes to make it easier to travel by public transport. These plans aim to connect Crown Point with Gary and Merrillville.
In the past, train lines served Crown Point, offering rides to and from Chicago. However, these train lines are no longer in use.
Lake County Fairgrounds
The Lake County Fairgrounds are located in the southern part of Crown Point. The fairgrounds have old brick buildings, hills with trees, and walking paths. There is also a historic grandstand near Fancher Lake.
The Crown Point Bridge is an 85-foot-long covered bridge. It was built in 1878 in another county and moved to the fairgrounds in 1933. It is the only covered bridge in Lake County.
Events in Crown Point
Crown Point hosts several fun events throughout the year:
- Lake County Fair: This is Indiana's second-largest county fair. It happens every year in early August for 10 days. The fair features monster trucks, demolition derbies, and horse shows.
- Corn Roast and Taste of Crown Point: These are yearly festivals held downtown around the historic courthouse. They offer lots of food and entertainment.
- Parades: The city also has parades for Memorial Day, Independence Day, and St. Patrick's Day.
Notable People from Crown Point
Many interesting people have connections to Crown Point:
- Logan Gomez, a racing driver
- William G. Haan, a general from World War I
- Dan Plesac, a former Major League Baseball pitcher
- Zach Plesac, a current Major League Baseball pitcher
- Jerry L. Ross, an astronaut
- Thelma Strabel, a novelist
- John Wheeler, a Civil War officer
- Dean White, a successful entrepreneur
- Ralph H. Young, a former football coach at Michigan State
Images for kids
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Lake County courthouse in Crown Point
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Location of Crown Point in Lake County, Indiana.
See also
In Spanish: Crown Point (Indiana) para niños
