Historical Images of Porter County

View at Long Lake on Valparaiso & Northern Interurban
Valparaiso, Indiana

Date: Circa 1910
Source Type: Postcard
Publisher, Printer, Photographer: Cyko
Postmark: None
Collection: Steven R. Shook
Remark: This image shows Long Lake along the Valparaiso & Northern Railway interurban, which ran from Valparaiso northward to Woodville where it connected with the Gary Connecting Railway. Also seen in this image is the Long Lake Resort Hotel and beach house, located on the upper right hand quadrant of this image. Individuals arriving by train would walk to the beach that was on the point at the left; they would then take a boat across the narrow portion of the lake to the resort on the opposite shore. Incorporated in August 1908, the Valparaiso & Northern Railway construction was financed by citizens of Valparaiso and outside investors; the railway was to become one of the feeder lines the the Chicago-New York Electric Air Line Railroad. A section between Chesterton and Goodrum, located just north of Woodville, was completed and put into service on February 18, 1911. The section between Flint Lake and Woodville was completed on October 7, 1911; between February and October of 1911, a bus was used to transport passengers between Goodrum and Flint Lake. Complete interurban through service between Chesterton, Valparaiso, and LaPorte was possible after a bridge was constructed over the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad on February 17, 1912. Interurban service to Valparaiso ceased on October 23, 1938, largely due to the increasing use of automobiles, an improved highway system, and the financial depression.

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Image and related text prepared by Steven R. Shook