Hartsdale, Indiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hartsdale, Indiana
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Location in the state of Indiana
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| Country | United States |
| State | Indiana |
| County | Lake |
| Township | St. John |
| Founded | 1880 |
| Annexed by Schererville | 1911 |
| Founded by | Aaron Hart |
| Named for | Aaron Hart |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.5 sq mi (1.29 km2) |
| Elevation | 627 ft (191 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 0435838 |
Hartsdale was once a small town in Indiana, United States. It was located in Lake County, near the big city of Chicago. In 1911, Hartsdale became part of a nearby town called Schererville, Indiana. So, it's not a separate town anymore!
Contents
The Story of Hartsdale
Hartsdale got its name from the Hart Farm. This farm belonged to a man named Aaron Hart. He was one of the first people to live in the Schererville and Dyer area.
Aaron Hart's Big Farm
Aaron Hart owned a huge amount of land, about 20,000 acres! Much of this land was marshy, meaning it was wet and swampy. This wet area was once a body of water called Lake George.
In 1880, Aaron Hart decided to drain the swamp. He built a special ditch, now called the Hart Ditch. This ditch helped move the water north to the Little Calumet River. After draining the land, he created the Village of Hartsdale. It was about one mile north of Schererville.
Railways and Work
Two important train lines passed through Hartsdale. They were called the Joliet Cutoff and the Pan Handle. These lines crossed each other right in Hartsdale. This crossing point was known as the "Hartsdale" railroad yard and interchange.
In the late 1800s, the Hart farm was very busy. It had about 40 workers. They helped Aaron Hart grow crops like grain and vegetables. They also raised animals such as dairy cows, beef cattle, and hay.
The End of Hartsdale
Sadly, Aaron Hart died in an accident on January 12, 1883. He was digging a ditch when it happened.
The town of Hartsdale never grew very big. By 1900, its neighbor, Schererville, was much larger. Schererville had a church, two stores, a big brick school, and about 250 people.
In 1911, Schererville officially became a town. Hartsdale was included in this new town. This happened in the same year that nearby St. John, Indiana also became a town.
Hartsdale Today
Even though Hartsdale isn't a town anymore, you can still find its history. Today, a main road called Route 41 goes right through where Hartsdale used to be. There's a bridge over the old Hartsdale rail yard.
Train operators still call the railway crossing "Hartsdale." This is a way to remember the town that once stood there. Also, a road named Hart Farm Road still exists. You can find it on the west side of Route 41 in Schererville, Indiana.
Hartsdale's Railway History
The railways that crossed in Hartsdale were very important for shipping goods.
Joliet Cut-Off Railway
The Joliet Cut-Off railway was part of the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway. It was built to help trains avoid the busy city of Chicago. This made it easier and faster to move freight. The railway started operating in July 1855. It allowed businesses to ship their products from Joliet, Illinois to the east without going through Chicago.
Pan Handle Railroad
The Pan Handle railroad was part of the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad. This railway was also a part of the larger Pennsylvania Railroad system. It began operating on March 6, 1865.
Hartsdale was a key location because these two important railways met there.
Where Hartsdale Was Located
Hartsdale was located at 41°30′28″N 87°28′17″W / 41.50778°N 87.47139°W.
As mentioned, Hartsdale was built on land that used to be a marsh. This marsh was created after Lake George was drained. The water from Lake George was sent into the Calumet River using Hart's Ditch.
The marshy land and Lake George were in low areas. These areas were between the old shorelines of Lake Michigan, known as the Glenwood Shoreline and Calumet Shoreline.
