National Register of Historic Places listings in Lake County, Indiana facts for kids

Location of Lake County in Indiana

This page is about the National Register of Historic Places in Lake County, Indiana. The National Register of Historic Places is like a special list of buildings, places, and areas in the United States that are important because of their history, architecture, or culture. When a place is on this list, it means it's recognized as a valuable part of our country's past and should be protected.

In Lake County, Indiana, there are many cool places on this list. These can be old houses, schools, libraries, churches, and even whole neighborhoods! There are currently 81 places and areas listed in Lake County. A couple of places were once on the list but have since been removed.

The places on the list are found in different towns like Gary, Crown Point, Hammond, and Hobart. Some are also in smaller communities or even out in the countryside.

What is the National Register of Historic Places?

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the nation's historic places worth saving. It's part of a program by the United States government to help people appreciate and protect important historical sites. Being on the list can help protect these places and sometimes even provide money for their upkeep.

Why are places added to the list?

Places are added to the National Register for many reasons. They might be:

• Important to history: Where big events happened or where famous people lived.
• Great examples of architecture: Buildings designed in a special way or by a famous architect.
• Significant to culture: Places that show how people lived, worked, or worshipped in the past.

Historic Places in Lake County

Lake County has a rich history, and many of its buildings and areas tell interesting stories. The places on the National Register here include a wide variety of sites, from grand old homes to important public buildings and even industrial sites.

Notable Buildings and Homes

Many individual buildings in Lake County are recognized for their unique architecture or historical importance.

• The Walter Allman House in Crown Point is a beautiful example of early 20th-century design.
• The American Sheet and Tin Mill Apartment Building in Gary shows how housing was built for workers in the early industrial era.
• The Louis J. Bailey Branch Library in Gary and the Hobart Carnegie Library are examples of public buildings that served their communities for many years. Carnegie libraries were built all over the country with money from Andrew Carnegie, a famous businessman.
• The Buckley Homestead near Lowell gives us a peek into what farm life was like long ago.
• The Lake County Courthouse in Crown Point is a very important landmark, known for its impressive architecture. It's often called the "Grand Old Lady."
• The Lake County Sheriff's House and Jail in Crown Point is another interesting site, showing how law enforcement operated in the past.
• Meyer's Castle in Dyer, also known as the Joseph Ernest Meyer House, is a unique and grand home that looks like something out of a fairytale.
• The Ibach House and Stallbohm Barn-Kaske House in Munster are also recognized for their historical value.

Historic Districts

Some areas are listed as "historic districts" because they have many important buildings together. These districts often show how a town or city grew over time.

• The Crown Point Courthouse Square Historic District includes the area around the old courthouse, showing the heart of the town.
• In Gary, there are several historic districts like the Combs Addition Historic District, Eskilson Historic District, Gary City Center Historic District, and Horace Mann Historic District. These areas often feature homes and buildings that show the city's early development.
• Marktown in East Chicago is a very special historic district. It was one of the first planned industrial communities in the United States, built for workers of a steel mill. Its unique design makes it stand out.
• Hammond also has several historic districts, such as the Forest-Ivanhoe Residential Historic District and the Hohman Avenue Commercial Historic District, which highlight important residential and business areas.

Other Unique Listings

Not all historic places are buildings!

• The Gary Bathing Beach Aquatorium is a cool building located in Marquette Park, right on the shore of Lake Michigan. It was once a bathhouse and now serves as a museum and event space.
• The E.J. and E. Griffith Interlocking Tower and the Griffith Grand Trunk Depot in Griffith are important for understanding the history of railroads, which played a huge role in developing the region.
• The Monon Park Dancing Pavilion in Cedar Lake was a popular spot for entertainment and gatherings in the past.
• The MATERIAL SERVICE (shipwreck) is a unique listing in Lake Michigan. It's a sunken ship that is now recognized as a historic site underwater!
• The John Wood Old Mill in Merrillville is a historic mill, reminding us of how people used to process grains and other goods.

Former Listings

Sometimes, a place that was once on the National Register might be removed. This can happen if the building is destroyed or changed so much that it loses its historical importance.

• The John Stewart Settlement House in Gary was removed from the list in 1992.
• The Wilbur Wynant House, also in Gary, was removed in 2011 after it was largely damaged by a fire. This house was special because it was designed by the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright.