Indiana City, Indiana facts for kids

Indiana City was a planned town in northern Lake County, Indiana. It was meant to be built where the Grand Calumet River meets Lake Michigan. Today, this area is part of Marquette Park in Miller Beach.

Indiana City was one of several places hoping to become a big port city on the southern shore of Lake Michigan. Other towns with similar dreams included Chicago, City West, and Michigan City.

What Was Indiana City?

Indiana City was a "notional community." This means it was a town that was planned on paper but never actually built. Think of it like a blueprint for a house that never got constructed.

When Was Indiana City Planned?

Maps and plans for Indiana City were first drawn up in 1836 or 1837. The official record of these plans wasn't made until January 1838. It's not clear if any land plots were ever sold to people who wanted to build there.

Why Was Indiana City Never Built?

The project for Indiana City failed because of a big economic problem called the Panic of 1837. This was a time when the economy in the United States faced a severe downturn. Many banks failed, businesses struggled, and people lost money. Because of this panic, there wasn't enough money or interest to build new towns like Indiana City. Another planned town nearby, called City West, also failed for the same reason.

If Indiana City had been built, it would have been quite large. The plans showed it stretching for 25 city blocks. This would have covered a big part of what is now Miller Beach, from the lake all the way to an old Native American boundary line.

Early Interest in the Area

The location where Indiana City was planned was very important. It was right at the mouth of the Grand Calumet River, which made it a good spot for a port. People noticed this location even before Indiana City was planned.

Bennett's Tavern: The First Settlement

In 1833, a place called Bennett's Tavern was built near this site. A tavern was like an inn or a hotel where travelers could stop. It served people traveling by stagecoach along the lakeshore. This tavern was the first permanent European settlement in Lake County. It stayed open for several years.

Bailly's Harbor: Another Failed Plan

Even earlier, in the 1820s, a man named Joseph Bailly bought a lot of land in the area. He bought about 2,000 acres! Bailly also had plans to build a town there, which he wanted to call Bailly's Harbor. But just like Indiana City, his town was never built.

Changes to the River

Over the years, the mouth of the Grand Calumet River changed. It slowly filled in with sand and dirt. This created an area known as the Miller Lagoons. Today, these lagoons are the start of the river. Interestingly, the river now flows in the opposite direction compared to how it flowed in the 1830s!