1958 Historic Site Survey - Bailly HomesteadHistoric Site Survey of the Bailly Homestead, 1958 . . . .
The following is a complete transcription of a historic site survey of the
Bailly Homestead published in April 1958 by the United States Department of the
Interior, National Park Service. The survey also included an assessment of the
Bailly Cemetery. It is interesting to note that author of the
report, James R. Sullivan, recommended that the Bailly Homestead not be
considered for national recognition, but rather receive state or local
recognition.
Source Citation:
Sullivan, James R. 1958. Historic Site Survey: The Bailly Homestead, Porter
County, Indiana. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: United States Department of the
Interior, National Parks Service, Region Five. 40 p.
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARKS SERVICE
REGION FIVE
PHILADELPHIA 6, PA.
Historic Site Survey
The Bailly Homestead
Porter County, Indiana
Prepared by:
James R. Sullivan, Historian
Region Five
National Parks Service
April 1958
Part I
Critical Analysis of Site
Historic Sites Survey
The Bailly Homestead
Porter County, Indiana
I Critical Analysis of Site
The Bailly Homestead is located in Westchester Township, Porter County, Indiana,
about 25 miles east of the Indiana-Illinois state line. The Post Office is RFD,
Chesterton, Indiana. It lies approximately two miles south of Lake Michigan on
the edge of the dune country.
Today the Homestead consists of 14 structures, none of them dating to the first
occupancy of the site by Joseph Bailly in 1822. The "Big House" (ca. 1834) --
built of hewn logs and weatherboarded -- superseded the cabin originally built
on the flat. The servants' quarters and chapel are reassemblages of logs from
earlier structures. Other buildings include a brick structure of late nineteenth
century design, a wooden structure that was a laundry during the occupancy of
the Sisters of Notre Dame (1919-1946), two small buildings that resemble tool
sheds, a two car garage with a lean-to shed attached, three small frame, one
story houses and two small farm structures that were adjacent to a barn that was
destroyed by fire in 1957 -- all surrounded by approximately 43 acres of land.
The Bailly Homestead now is quiet and peaceful though a four lane highway passes
less than one half mile away. During the
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Bailly tenure there was, undoubtedly, considerable activity with Indians coming
and going. They brought in furs to Joseph Bailly, who in turn carried them the
short distance to Lake Michigan to be loaded on boats for the fur centers.
However, the Homestead was more than a fur trading post; it might be called a
center of French culture although very limited in scope. Joseph Bailly was the
first white settler in northwestern Indiana. He was a good business man,
believed in educating his family, maintained his home in the manner befitting a
French gentleman in the colonies, instructed the Indians who lived near him, and
used his home as a center of the Catholic faith for many years.
There is ample evidence to identify the site as belonging to Joseph Bailly. On
September 6, 1831 the United States conveyed by patent to Joseph Bailly land
described as the SE 1/4 of Section 27, Township 37 North, Range 6 West.1
On October 21, 1833
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additional property was sold to Joseph Bailly by the Federal government.
Included in this transfer is the property now owned by Mr. Joseph La Roche
comprising the so-called "Bailly site" in Section 34, Township 37 North, Range 6
West, that contained 6.12 acres lying north of the Indian Boundary Line and
north of the Calumet River.2 It was on these grants that Bailly
established his home. Today, approximately 43 acres remain of the original
grants. The property is now described as follows:
The Southwest Quarter (SW 1/4) of the Southeast Quarter (SE 1/4) of Section
Twenty-seven (27), Township Thirty-seven (37) North, Range Six (6) West, except
a strip Four (4) rods width off the North end thereof, ALSO EXCEPTING therefrom
the following: All that part of the Southwest Quarter (SW 1/4) of said Section
Twenty-seven (27) which lies West of the Public Highway running through the
Southwest corner of said quarter section and North of the Little Calumet River.
ALSO the North fraction of the Northeast Quarter (NE 1/4) of Section Thirty-four
(34), Township Thirty-seven (37) North, Range Six (6) West lying North of the
Calumet River excepting therefrom the following described parcel of land:
Beginning at a point in the North line of said Section Thirty-four
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(34), Township and Rage aforesaid Four Hundred Eighty-five (485) feet East of
the Northwest corner of the Northeast Quarter (NE 1/4) of the Northeast Quarter
(NE 1/4) if said Section Thirty-four (34), thence East along said section line
Six Hundred Ten (610) feet; thence South to the Little Calumet River; thence
Westerly meandering said River to the point of beginning, containing in said
exception 1.54 acres, more or less.
Subject to all legal highways.3
Part II
Historical Narrative with Critical Bibliography
II Historical Narrative with Critical Bibliography
The Treaty of Paris, 1783, ended the Revolution but stirred up a hornet's nest
in the fur trade that had done so much to open up the Great Lakes region. By the
terms of the treaty, Great Britain was to yield the territory east of the
Mississippi River including the land now in the United States surrounding the
Great Lakes. But there as too much British capital at "fur" in this region for
the paper mandate to be so easily fulfilled. Not till 1796 did the British give
up Detroit and Michilimackinac with their exclusive rights to the lucrative fur
trade that passed through these posts. Even when there were residual conflicts
and ambivalent border loyalties until the War of 1812 settled it all. Joseph
Bailly was one of those caught in the muddle of national loyalties, and was one
of the four traders captured in 1813 as being pro-British. It is not clear what
disposition was made of these men, but Bailly was eventually freed.
Jay's Treaty of 1794 was good news to American fur traders and particularly John
Jacob Astor. The American Fur Company was incorporated in 1808 by Astor to
compete with the North West and Michilimackinac Companies. The Astor interest
expanded by forcing rivals out of business or absorbing them. Yet, as Professor
Buley states, with "... all of its advantages of capital, organization,
political influence, and competitive technique,
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Astor's company never did become a monopoly. The fur trade by nature was
difficult to monopolize; competition, stamped out in one spot, broke out in
another, and a very considerable volume of traffic was handled by independents.1
One of the most successful independent traders was Joseph Bailly. Bailly was
born at Ste. Anne de Varennes in Canada in 1774 and was christened Honore
Gratien Joseph Bailly de Messein.2 At the age of 18 he began his
career in the fur trade at Mackinac and soon his trading area covered all of
southern Lake Michigan.3
Joseph Bailly's trading activities during his more prosperous periods are
illustrated by his activities on the Grand
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and St. Joseph Rivers (east shore of Lake Michigan). In 1800 Bailly traded on
the Grand River and for some years before and after he was at Bertrand on the
St. Joseph River. His outfits in the villages on the Kankakee River (Indiana) in
1800 were led by Tousaiant Porthier and Dominique Rousseau.4 Bailly
supplied Porthier with 73,808 livres of goods in 1800 at Porthier's "'own risk'"
which meant that Bailly retailed the goods from Mackinac to Porthier.
Porthier sent one hundred fifteen packs of furs to Montreal in the spring of
1801. Bailly and Rousseau, as partners, took fifty-three packs of furs to
Montreal the same spring.5 To further illustrate the widespread
activity, we find that Bailly had five outfits on the Grand River in 1802.6
The most difficult fact to determine is the amount of business conducted by
Bailly. Bowers states that Bailly's ledger shows pelts debted in the amount of
99.723 pounds or "nearly half a million dollars" in June, July and August 1803.7
Cannon8 and Sister Kennedy9 repeat this information in
their
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volumes. On the other hand, Innis presents the value of furs exported from
Quebec in 1801 as 371,139 pounds. Taken at face value, these figures might imply
that Bailly was one of the biggest fur traders in the region.
These figures, however, require close scrutiny and examination. The astronomical
figure of nearly half a million dollars vs Quebec fur exports of nearly
two million dollars obviously points out an error or misinterpretation of source
material. This writer feels that Dr. Bert Anson has adequately provided a
solution to the problem. The French and English systems were usually used in the
fur trade, but the symbol for the French livre and English pound was the same
and the English pound had three values: sterling, Halifax and New York. Quebec
currency was in livres and sous.10
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Bailly's accounts could have meant any of these, but was probably the livre
worth 19.1 cents or 9 2/5 pence. The writer feels that livre is probably correct
as the accounts are written in French. If 19.1 cents equals one livre, the
amount of business done by Bailly in June, July and August 1803 is $19,047 and
not nearly half a million dollars as cited by Bowers, Cannon and Kennedy in
their works. Bailly's 1804 ledger sheet of 103,824 pounds would amount to
$19,830 rather than a sum of over $400,000.11
From this material, it is safe to conclude that Bailly, as an independent
trader, conducted a lucrative business in furs, but this did not reach the
proportions cited in many of the secondary sources.
Bailly's most active trading years were from the turn of the century to the War
of 1812. After the war his trading
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activities were limited. He had gone into debt at the wrong time and did not
trade heavily from the Homestead.12 The fur trade in the area was on
the decline. After 1826 it "... was a minor part of the total trade in the
United States..."13
When Joseph Bailly -- the first white settler in northern Indiana -- came to
what is now known as The Bailly Homestead in 1822, he was not a stranger. He was
well acquainted with the territory and the Indians. He obtained permission from
the United States and the Indians to live in Indian territory, and settled on
high ground close to the waterway of the Little Calumet River, and fronting on
the Indian trail that was to become the Chicago-Detroit Road.14 Lots
were advertised for sale in the Chicago Democrat in 1833.15 He
prepared a plat entitled "Town of Bailly, Joseph Bailly, Proprietor" and laid
out the town in squares,
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names the streets after members of his family, lakes, Andrew Jackson and
Napoleon.16 Bailly Town was more of a "Paper City" than a reality.
Only a few lots were sold before Bailly's health failed and he was forced to
turn the business over to others shortly before his death in 1835. It must be
noted that Bailly Homestead and Bailly Town are not the same place. The latter
was established after the Homestead and was located approximately one mile west
of the Homestead.
Bailly's operations among the Indians and whites from the Homestead are more
significant than his trade efforts. He was located on the Chicago-Detroit (Great
Sauk) Trail and at the northern boundary of the last great winter hunting area
of the Indians. With Alexis Coquillard he served as sponsor and religious guide
to the Indians.17 However, Bailly's instruction to the Indians was
not limited to religion. The Indians were curious to hear all about the white
man's country so lectures in history and geography also were provided.18
The Indians maintained the greatest confidence in Bailly even leaving their
worldly possessions with him when they departed
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to go on the hunt. This confidence was returned by the host as he built a
special structure (storehouse) to house their belongings during their absence.19
Bailly hospitality was well known to travelers and it became a center of the
Catholic church in this remote territory. Indiana had a population of 340,000
people by 1830 and of these probably not more than 20,000 were of the Catholic
faith. It is likely that less than 20 percent received regular attention from a
priest.20
In the early French Canadian period a number of the members of the Bailly family
had been dignitaries in the Catholic church. The French government, the church
and individuals had labored diligently to provide for the religious needs of the
inhabitants. The government "... required that a missionary be stationed at each
French trading post, to convert the savage and attend the spiritual needs of
traders and military men.... With this association with the clergy, it was
natural that Joseph Bailly, well educated and inherently a fine teacher, should
establish the Church in the wilderness, and that the clergy should recognize his
household as a part of the Church, and in memory
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of the services of this good family, have Mass said annually at the Homestead
during the lifetime of Marie Bailly [Joseph's Wife]...."21
Before the chapel was built, religious services were held in the residences by
the traveling priests. At the Homestead the parlor was used as the sacristy
where confessions were held, and the dining room was used to celebrate mass.22
For a time this was the only Catholic mission between Detroit and Chicago.
Not only was the Homestead a religious center in the wilderness but it was a
cultural center as well. Amazing it was to find of such proportions miles from a
village or city. More fantastic was to find the four Bailly girls so well
educated. They spoke the Indian, French and English languages fluently and the
eldest daughter translated the Latin mass of the early traveling priests for the
benefit of the Indians.23 A piano was available for the daughter who
were trained in music, voice and instrument.
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Part 10
The home was well furnished with some fine mahogany furniture as well as crude
and beautiful Indian made articles. Other furnishings of Bailly's day included
books, sterling silver, china dishes and other musical instruments in addition
to the piano.24 Little wonder it was an oasis in the vast forest.
Bailly passed away in December, 1835 and was buried in the Bailly Cemetery25
along present U. S. Highway 12. The fur trade from the Homestead was at an end.
After Bailly's death his widow lived at the Homestead off and on until her death
in 1866.26
Frances Howe, Joseph Bailly's granddaughter, was the last of the family to
occupy the Homestead. Upon her death in 1917 the property and furnishings were
sold.27
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The Cemetery
Robert, the only son of Joseph and Marie Bailly, died in 1827 at the age of ten
years and was buried on a sandy knoll along the present day U. S. Highway 12. A
huge wooden cross was raised as a landmark and a cross has been here for over
125 years.
According to Miss Schiemann,28 wayside shrines are found in Canada to
this day. The spot marked by the cross on the highway at Bailly Town was at the
entrance to the Homestead from the Indian trail. It became a landmark pointing
the way to a Christian home in the wilderness.
Many of the Bailly family are interred in he cemetery.
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Bibliography
Primary
The chief depository of manuscripts relevant to the Bailly Homestead is the
Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, Indiana, where volumes of ledgers, day
books and invoices were used. This material is written in French and dates from
1796 to 1835. It is difficult to translate and the historian could merely check
and confirm specific items. The library has copies of several letters by Joseph
Bailly to business associates which have been translated into English.
The papers of Francis Howe and his daughter Frances are also in the Indiana
State Library. This material contains data regarding the settlement of the
estate of Joseph Bailly; letters from Rose and Francis Howe while students at
St. Mary of the Woods, 1855-1868, giving accounts of social life; and a letter
regarding the disposition of the Bailly land to the Catholic church.
Evidently, not all of the Bailly Papers are located in the Indiana state Library
as local inquiry indicates that some are still in the possession of various
individuals.
The group interested in preserving Bailly Homestead did not have a chain of
title to indicate ownership by Bailly. A visit to the Assessor's Office and the
Recorder's Office at
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Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana disclosed it would be a Herculean task to
obtain a clear chain of title in the usual manner. The historian was fortunate
in locating the Title Abstract of the present La Roche property at the First
Abstract and Title Corporation which he was graciously allowed to examine. The
entire abstract (legal size paper) was 46 pages in length and filled with a maze
of court proceedings.
The Transfer Book (Westchester and Dune Acres) contains the tax
assessor's description and value of the lands under investigation. The
Assessor's Plat Book, Westchester Township, contains a map of
the property which needs a few minor changes in stream alignment to bring it up
to date.
The Eastern States Land Office, Bureau of Land Management has in its possession
data relative to the original patents to Joseph Bailly from the United States.
It is the writer's understanding that early photographs of the Bailly Homestead
and grounds are in the possession of Miss Leva Ritter, 849 South Marietta
Street, South Bend (8), Indiana. Miss Ritter has been extremely reluctant to
have these reproduced contending that she intends to use them in a future
publication. She has indicated her willingness to loan these photographs should
the Bailly Homestead be acquired by an appropriate preservation group who wishes
to restore or reconstruct the buildings.
Part II
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Secondary
Anson, Bert, The Fur Traders in Northern
Indiana, 1796-1850. Types MS thesis in the Library of Indiana
University, Bloomington, 1953. Excellent, detailed study of the area involved.
Bowers, John O., The Old Bailly Homestead (Gary,
Indiana, 1922). Pamphlet edition. Later this material appeared in Cannon, Thos.
H. et al., History of the Lake and
Calumet Region of Indiana, Embracing the
Counties of Lake, Porter and La
Porte.
Brebner, John Bartlet, North Atlantic Triangle, The
Interplay of Canada, The United States
and Great Britain (New Haven, 1947). An excellent study,
particularly valuable as a detailed work on the interplay of the three nations
in the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence River Region.
Buley, R. Carlyle, The Old Northwest (2 Vols., Bloomington,
1951). A Pulitzer Prize winner. Excellent material on the history of the Old
Northwest.
Cannon, Thomas H., H. H. Loring and Charles J. Robb, History of
the Lake and Calumet Region of Indiana,
Embracing the Counties of Lake, Porter
and La Porte (Indianapolis, 1927). Has incorporated Bowers,
The Old Bailly Homestead in this account. Material
appears to be reliable except his conversion of pounds to dollars.
Chittenden, Hiram Martin, The American Fur Trade
of the Far West (Vol. I, Stanford, 1954). The first
Academic Reprints of the American Culture and Economics
Series. Good, standard work on the fur trade.
Davidson, Gordon Charles, "The Northwest Company" (Berkeley, 1918), Vol. VII of
University of California Publications in
History, H. Morse Stephens and Herbert E. Bolton, editors.
Faulkner, Harold Underwood, American Political and
Social History (New York, 1946).
Hatcher, Harlan, The Great Lakes (New York, 1944). A good
general account of the Great Lakes Region.
Part II
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Howe, Frances R., Story of A French Homestead
in the Old Northwest (Columbus, Ohio, 1907). While
this book is deeply concerned with the religious aspects of the Bailly family,
it contains valuable information concerning the fur trade and has a good
description of the building. The book lacks dates and is difficult to use in
this report.
Innis, Harold A., The Fur Trade in Canada,
An Introduction to Canada Economic History
(New Haven, 1930). A valuable and detailed account of the fur trade.
Kennedy, Sister Mary Joseph, The Pioneer Fur Traders
of Northwestern Indiana, MS Thesis of De Paul University,
Chicago, 1932. Based chiefly on secondary sources and repeats error cited in
Bowers concerning value of Bailly's fur trade. Not as penetrating a study as had
been hoped.
Morison, Samuel Eliot and Commager, Henry Steele, The Growth of
the American Republic, 1000-1865 (Rev. Ed., Vol. I,
New York, 1950).
Nettals, Curtis P., The Roots of American
Civilization (New York, 1946). Excellent account of the settlement and
development of the American colonies.
Quaife, Milo W., Lake Michigan (Indianapolis, 1944).
Schiemann, Olga Mae, "Bailly Town - Our Historic French Heritage," Duneland
Historical Society, Vol. I, No. 5, Sept. 1957.
Schiemann, Olga Mae, From A Bailly Point of
View (Chicago, 1952). Issued as a Duneland Historical Society
Publication, August, 1955. This is a history and compilation of references
pertaining to the Bailly family. Based on primary and secondary sources. It
stresses family history and genealogy.
Schiemann, Olga Mae, "Roads Across Old Bailly Town," Duneland
Historical Society, Vol. II, No. 1, Sept. 1951.
Stevens, Wayne E., "Fur Trade of Great Lakes Region" in Dictionary of
American History, (2nd Ed. Rev., Vol. II, New York, 1951). Good,
brief account.
Note that no Part III is included in this publication, and it assumed that
the author made an error in numbering the parts of his report.
Part IV
Photographs
IV Photographs
A word of explanation appears to be in order in presenting the photographs of
the Homestead. Photography is a delicate subject with Mr. La Roche and he has
posted his property with "No Photographs Allowed", or words to that effect, as
well as "No Trespassing" signs. Access to the property was limited to two short
visits (this will be discussed in greater detail in Section V, Park Data). No
photographs were attempted during the first visit. The second visit was secured
through a telephone call with Mr. La Roche by the writer requesting permission
to take selected views of the property. Mr. La Roche indicates that he did not
wish his property to be photographed. After much persuasion, the historian
secured permission to take a few photographs provided no publicity was intended.
Respecting Mr. La Roche's wishes, I confined my photographs to general building
views. These are marked with an asterisk. The remainder of the views were taken
from the periphery of the area - unless otherwise marked - before Mr. La Roche
had granted permission to enter the grounds.
The appearance of the chapel, servants' quarters and storehouse in the post card
views is indicative of the state of preservation these structures possess today.
The photographs in possession of Miss Leva Ritter have been discussed previously
in Section II, Historical Narrative.
Note that no photographs are contained in the published report.
Part V
Park Data
V Park Data
The Bailly Homestead is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph S. La Roche, who
acquired the property from the Sisters of Notre Dame of Milwaukee County,
Wisconsin in 1946.
The Homestead, together with the log structures and more recent frame buildings,
stands near the southwest corner of the La Roche property on the high ground
above the Calumet River. The La Roche property of 33.73 acres in Section 27,
Township 37, Range 6, (SW SE (E of Road) Ex N4RD Ex 1.27A) has a land value of
$1,340 and the value of improvements amounts to $4,630 for a total value of
$5,970. The additional La Roche property, Section 34, Township 37, Range 6
(Cent. Pt. NE (N of River)) amounts to 9.4 acres with a land value of $200.
In order to insure ownership of an area adequate for interpretation and
protection, it is recommended that the crosshatched section on the area plat
plan be acquired. This would prevent the "hot dog" stand from intruding upon the
historic scene. The four plots across Peterson Road are in the hands of three
owners - Illinois Steel Company Welfare Association, Inc., parcels 53 and 20;
Hilda and Adin Sward, parcel 22; and Arthur and Mildred Wahl, parcel 13. Parcel
53 has an assessed land value of $150 and improvements amounting to $20,810;
parcel 20 has a land value of $50 with no improvements; parcel 22 has a land
value of $980 with no improvements; and parcel 13 has a land value of $950 with
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improvements amounting to $1300. It is possible to five approximate acreage and
land value of the crosshatched section using the above figures. That area f
parcels 22 and 13 that compose the property needed for proper development and
protection amounts to approximately 3 acres with an assessed value of $110.
Mr. Harvey K. Mead, Assessor of Porter County, states that these values were
placed on the properties in 1949 for tax purposes which at that time reflected
about one third of the actual market value. However, rumors have been
circulating during the last two or three years that a lake port and a large
steel mill would be erected in the vicinity and land prices have soared. Recent
property sales in the surrounding area indicate that the price of land ranges
upward from $1,500 per acre. Mr. La Roche states that his most recent offer
(January 1958) for the property was $100,000. The party who wished to purchase
the land was not interested in the structures, only the property.
The Bailly Cemetery is located o U.S. Highway 12. Present ownership is by the
Michigan City Historical Society.
A brief discussion concerning access to the La Roche property appears necessary
in relation to the inspection of the property and structures. During a meeting
with several local people, a general discussion was undertaken as to how the
writer would gain access to the property. The local people are generally
forbidden to trespass. Entrance is usually gained through a
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Page 3
Father Somes of Vincennes, Indiana. However, Father Somes could not be present
at the meeting and could not be reached by telephone. Colonel Edward Wentworth
contacted Mr. La Roche to secure permission for the writer to call upon him as a
representative of the National Park Service. This was accomplished and an hour
was spent with Mr. La Roche in general discussion of the area; why he did not
want people to visit the area; offers to purchase the property and his general
attitude. Mr. La Roche's attitude may be summed up as follows:
1. He does not want people visiting the area due to recent illness in the
family.
2. When groups have been permitted to visit the area, there has been some
vandalism.
3. No photographs are permitted to avoid publicity.
4. He has told Father Somes (this came to the writer second hand) that if he
sold, he would prefer a public agency as a buyer.
Not wishing to "wear out my welcome" or antagonize Mr. La Roche in any way, the
writer confined his inspection to the ground and building exteriors.
The second visit to the area to acquire photographs has been discussed in
Section IV, Photographs.
The Homestead (main building) appears to be in good condition. The exterior is
freshly painted and in a good state of
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repair. The residence is built of hewn logs and weatherboarded. Unfinished at
the time of Bailly's death, it was completed by a daughter, Rose Bailly Howe.
The interior was not inspected. However, Mr. Earl H. Reed made a brief
inspection of the interior on December 9, 1955 and reports the following: "The
interior of the residence which has three low stories above a basement, roughly
measures 24' x 30' and has a fine wood finished Dining Roo, at the left of a
center entrance. Surviving old windows have 18 pains and foundations are rubble
tone and brick. There are ornate corner stairs, parquet floors at the main level
and an elaborate corner mantel in the Dining Room in which is incorporated a
fine French portrait engraving of the Bailly's staunch friend, St. Palais,
Bishop of Vincennes in the 1850's.... A fine small cabinet and a paneled
dumb-waiter remain in this diagonally paneled room but the walls and large
fireplaces of the principal at the right of the entrances have been covered
over, or defaced, and its architectural treatment is unknown. There are plainly
finished bedrooms on the 2nd and 3rd floors and the basement kitchen, opening on
the river, has been modernized."
Nearby are three log structures, the storehouse, chapel and servants' quarters.
The latter two are reassemblages of logs from earlier buildings. The chapel and
servants' quarters are in good repair, although the servants' quarters has been
altered to receive tenants. Both structures underwent major repairs in 1957
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Page 5
and are structurally sound according to Mr. La Roche. The storehouse has rotted
logs on the bottom and needs a complete chinking job. Rose Howe built a two
story brick structure -- late nineteenth century design -- for a daughter and
this was in fair condition at the time of inspection. Between this structure and
the Homestead is a small, high weatherboarded building with pilasters said to
have been the "little house" with logs under and storage above. The other frame
buildings are in various stages of repair.
The cemetery is in need of general landscape treatment and repairs are needed to
the cement block wall that surrounds the original stone wall.
Some care has been given to the buildings and grounds. In general, maintenance
would be classified as fair. The grounds have suffered considerably under recent
owners. The magnificent forest, once surrounding the Homestead, has been largely
cut away. New growth should restore much of the original setting in years to
come.
The Homestead is equipped with electricity, water and telephone service. The
water supply will, undoubtedly, need expanding if the area is developed for
public use. Water derived for use in the homes in this area is from wells.
Assuming the site is acquired by a public agency or administered by a local
historical group, repair and preservation could and should be undertaken at the
earliest moment. Keeping
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in mind the physical descriptions cited above and remembering, too, that the
writer did not inspect the interior of the four prime structures, there is no
apparent reason why preservation should be side-stepped. The probable cost of
necessary repairs to prevent further deterioration to the four structures is
$25,300. This estimate does not include funds for architectural or historical
research. Therefore, only these limited funds should be expended until the
necessary research is complete. According to Mr. Reed, to complete the program
of restoration the sum would approach $100,000. The cost of repairs to the
cemetery wall to prevent further deterioration amounts to $630.
Maintenance costs, based upon present knowledge of the buildings and grounds,
will be approximately $16,400 per year.
If we assume that a 25 cent admission fee is charged, we can expect a total
income of $6,375.00 pr year. This figure is based upon an annual visitation of
30,000 persons -- 85% adults and 15% children (free).
The Bailly Homestead is about half way between Gary and Michigan City, Indiana.
It is easily reached from Chicago some 40 miles distant by U.S. Highways 12 and
20. The area s situated on Peterson (Howe) Road just .4 of a mile north of
Highway 20 (See U.S.G.S. map), a four lane artery serving the Chicago
Metropolitan area. In addition to Chicago, we find Gary, Indiana (133,911);
Hammond (87,594); East Chicago (64,263); Michigan City
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Page 7
(28,395); and Whiting (9,669), all within a reasonable driving distance. The
towns nearest the Homestead are Porter (1,458) and Chesterton (3,175), one and
two miles distant, respectively.
The nearest National Park Service areas are Perry's Victory and International
Peace Memorial and the Mound City Group in Ohio and Effigy Mounds in Iowa.
However, there are two National Historic Sites not owned by the Federal
Government that are within the confines of the Great Lakes and have an extensive
history with the fur trade. These are Chicago Portage, Illinois and Grand
Portage, Minnesota.
The sponsors of the project are local interested citizens. The writer attended a
meeting of these persons on January 16, 1958, at which time it was decided to
incorporate a non-profit organization to raise the funds to acquire the
Homestead. Those present at the meeting were Colonel Edward Wentworth,
Chesterton; Mr. Hubert Hawkins, Director, Indiana Historical Bureau; Dr. Powell
Moore, Associate Professor of History, Indiana University; Mr. Luke J. Scheer, a
public relations expert, Detroit; Mr. Lorenz G. Schumm, La Porte, Indiana; Mr.
Norris Coambs, President, Duneland Historical Society; and Mr. Earl Reed. While
a decision to incorporate was made, the writer has, at the time of this writing,
not learned the official name of the organization, nor the members of its Board
of Directors.
Part V
Page 8
Persons contacted during the investigation of the field study include, in
addition to the aforementioned group, the following persons:
Miss Olga Mae Schiemann - local
historian.
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph La Roche -
present owners.
Mrs. Hazel Hopper, Head, Indiana
Department, Indiana State Library.
Mr. C. W. Nelson, Porter County
Historian.
Miss Robbins, First Abstract & Title
Corporation, Valparaiso, Indiana.
Various people in the Assessor's
Office, Porter County Court House,
Valparaiso, Indiana.
Part VI
Recommendations
VI Recommendations
The Bailly Homestead will require considerable development in terms of physical
improvements, landscaping and visitor facilities. The development plans are
presented, suggesting the ideal and the minimum.
Proper and ideal development (Plan A) will call for a Public Use Building to
house the administration offices and Visitor Center. This structure will have a
minimum of 3,000 square feet and will cost approximately $140,000. A new
entrance road will be necessary to allow two-way traffic to pass safely and a
parking area for 80 cars is a must. The combined cost amounts to $14,000. A
utility building, with two bays to house automotive and maintenance equipment,
will cost $6,000. Present water and sewage facilities are inadequate for public
use. Additional disposal plants, lines, etc. will cost $15,000. Landscaping of
approximately three acres will cost $5,000. Demolition of existing undesirable
structures will cost $500. A new residence for the superintendent will cost
$20,000.
The alternate plan (Plan B) is to utilize some of the existing features although
they are not entirely desirable. The first step is to develop the present brick
structure (ca. 1890), to the right rear of the Homestead, as a museum and
administrative building at a cost of $50,000. The present driveway (375 ft. -
$1,500) would be utilized and a small parking area (10 cars -
Part VI
Page 2
$4,000) would be constructed in one of the two locations -- opposite the
Homestead or to the right of the building as you face it. The house used by the
present owner would suffice as a temporary residence for the superintendent.
Here, as in the first plan, adequate water and sewer systems are required and
the same quantity of landscaping must be considered. Demolition of undesirable
structures would cost approximately $400.
In either plan, repairs to the cemetery will cost $630 for repointing the wall,
a cement wash for the top of the wall and demolition of the remaining
balustrade. Landscaping will cost approximately $1,000. Total cost $1,630.
|
Bailly Homestead |
Plan "A" |
Plan "B" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Visitor Center |
$140,000 |
$50,000 |
|
|
Entrance Road & Parking Area |
14,000 |
5,500 |
|
|
Utility Building |
6,000 |
6,000 |
|
|
Water and Sewage |
15,000 |
15,000 |
|
|
Landscaping |
5,000 |
5,000 |
|
|
Demolition |
500 |
400 |
|
|
Residence (Superintendent) |
20,000 |
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
$200,500 |
$81,900 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bailly Cemetery |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Repairs and Demolition |
630 |
|
630 |
|
Landscaping |
1,000 |
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
11,630 |
|
1,630 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grant Total |
$202,130 |
|
$83,530 |
If the area is acquired by the Federal government for inclusion in the National
Park System, permanent administrative,
Part VI
Page 3
maintenance and protective personnel are deemed desirable. The writer recommends
that the permanent staff consist of a Superintendent GS-9 ($5,440), Historian
GS-7 ($4,525), Museum Curator GS-7 ($4,525) for the period of development and
furnishing of buildings, Clerk GS-3 ($3,175), Maintenanceman ($4,617), Laborer
($4,056), Janitor ($3,848), Tour Leader (Seasonal) one man-year GS-4 ($3,415),
and Laborer (Seasonal) 1/4 man-year ($1,014). Management and protection would
amount to $21,913 pre year as follows:
|
Superintendent GS-9 |
$5,440 |
|
|
Historian GS-7 |
4,525 |
|
|
Museum Curator GS-7 |
2,262 |
(.5 MY charged to M&R) |
|
Clerk GS-3 |
2,222 |
(.3 MY charged to M&R) |
|
Tour Leader GS-4 |
3,415 |
|
|
Janitor |
1,924 |
(.5 MY charged to M&R) |
|
Supplies, heat, light, etc. |
2,125 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
21,913 |
|
The annual funds necessary for maintenance and rehabilitation will run about
$16,400.
The Bailly Homestead fall under Theme VIII, The Advance of the Frontier to
1830 of the sixteen thematic groups used by the National Park Service and
the Advisory Board in considering historic sites. Clearly the advance of the
frontier and the opening of the interior of this vast nation are significant in
the history of our country. It is true that independent traders such as Joseph
Bailly played an important role in settling and developing
Part VI
Page 4
the wilderness. The question arises, should the Bailly Homestead become a
National Shrine? The answer: Probably not.
There is no doubt concerning the importance of the fur trade in the discovery
and development of the interior of this continent, and its tremendous impact
upon the international policies of England and France in the New World. We have
discussed the fur trade in terms of places, people, companies and finance and
can place Bailly's operation in its proper perspective.
The fur trade was essentially a company business as illustrated by the American
Fur Company, North West Company, South West Company, etc. Independent traders
were an essential part part of the fur trade and Bailly was one of the most
successful of these independents. However, when Bailly moved to the Little
Calumet River in 1822, the fur trade in Indiana was on the decline. Furthermore,
he had suffered financial reverses and did not trade heavily from the Homestead.
His most successful business years were prior to the War of 1812. There are
already in existence two areas that commemorate the fur trade - Chicago Portage
National Historic Site and Grand Portage National Historic Site. Both of these
are in non-Federal ownership at present, but a bill has been recently introduced
in the Congress to bring Grand Portage into the National Park System as a
National Monument, Grand Teton National Park, Scotts Bluff National Monument and
Jefferson National Expansion Memorial all commemorate the fur trade in their
museum exhibits.
Part VI
Page 5
A negative approach to the question of national significance of Bailly as an
individual is borne out by the absence of his name -- even in his peak period --
in the leading secondary sources concerning the fur trade. If his business
enterprises and his work with the church and Indians were spectacular or
outstanding, it is safe to assume that he would have become a better known
figure.
Bailly's operations among the Indians and whites are more significant than his
trade efforts and his home became a center of religion and French culture in the
wilderness of northern Indiana, but Bailly did not emerge as a national figure
in spreading the word of God among he Indians.
The first structure built on the Little Calumet River was a log cabin which was
flooded shortly after its erection. The cabin was dismantled and rebuilt on the
bluff. The Homestead -- probably begun in 1834 and completed after Bailly's
death -- and the log storehouse are original. The two story servants' quarters
and the chapel were erected with remnants of other log structures that no longer
exist. The structures are of architectural interest as an example of fur post
planning and may be classified as uncommon but not unique. Thus, the house is
later even than the "late" period of the fur trade described.
The Bailly Homestead would more logically fall into regional or state history,
particularly in light of Bailly's
Part VI
Page 6
role in the settlement of northern Indiana. It is possible that the area could
function as a detached unit of Indiana Dunes State Park, or if this is not
feasible, as a separate entity within the Indiana Park System. The cemetery is
now owned by the Michigan City Historical Society. Ownership could remain with
this group or perhaps they would be willing to donate the land as part of the
Homestead holdings.
The writer recommends that the Joseph Bailly Homestead not be considered for
national recognition. The area lends itself more suitably to state or local
treatment.
Report prepared by
James R. Sullivan, Historian
Region Five, National Park Service
April 1958
FOOTNOTES:
Part I
1 Letter, Evelyn M. Tauber, Chief, Status Unit, Bureau of Land Management
to George A. Palmer, Acting Regional Director, Region Five Office, February 21,
1958, L58 Great Lakes File. Entry or Purchase Certificate dated December 1,
1830, Certificate 13300 and patent states that the area contained 159.80 acres.
This data taken from Abstract compiled by the First Abstract and Title
Corporation, Valparaiso, Indiana. This company has compiled a complete chain of
title for Mr. Joseph S. La Roche, the present owner of the property. Olga M.
Schiemann, From A Bailly Point of View
- The Howes, Chicago, 1952, 18 citing Chesterton Tribune, May 9,
1918 states the property remained with the descendants of Joseph Bailly until
1917-1918. Frances Howe, the granddaughter, died in 1917 and the court ordered
the sale of the Indiana property. The Abstract states that a warranty deed,
dated September 23, 1919, records the sale of the property from Louis G. and
Cecelia Horn to the Sisters of Notre Dame of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In turn, the
Sisters of Notre Dame sold the property to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph S. La Roche on
August 16, 1946.
2 Entry or Purchase Certificate dated October 21, 1833, Certificate
No. 122. Patent dated March 15, 1837. Data supplied by the First Abstract and
Title Corporation, Valparaiso, Indiana.
3 From La Roche Abstract, First Abstract and Title Corporation.
Part II
1 R. Carlyle Buley, The Old Northwest Pioneer
Period 1815-1840. Bloomington, 1951, I, 410.
2 Olga M. Schiemann, From A Bailly Point
of View, Chicago, 1952, 3.
3 Cannon, Thomas H., Loring, H. H., and Robb, Charles J., History
of the Lake and Calumet Region of
Indiana, Embracing the Counties of Lake,
Porter and La Porte, Indianapolis, 1927, 63, states
Bailly's business extended from Mackinac in the north to the Grand, St. Joseph,
Kankakee, Iroquois and Wabash Rivers in the south. Olga M. Schiemann, "Bailly
Town - Our Historic French Heritage" in Duneland Historical
Society I, No. 5, Sept. 1957, 2 places trading areas at Grand River, St.
Joseph Kickabimazoo [Kalamazoo] and Markegan. In her work From A
Bailly Point of View - Activity Locations, 1, Miss
Schiemann lists two additional posts - Michilimackinac and Drummond Island. Dr.
Bert Anson in his thesis The Fur Traders in
Northern Indiana, 1796-1850, typed MS Library of Indiana
University, Bloomington, 1953, 24, places Bailly's trading activities on the
Grade River; at Bertrand on the St. Joseph River, with additional outfits in
villages on the Kankakee. Letters in the Bailly Papers, Indiana State Library
were written from Detroit and St. Joseph. Bailly opened his account books at
Mackinac in 1796 and it is possible to trace many of his trading adventures from
these records.
4 Anson, op. cit., 24-25.
5 Ibid., 37.
6 Ibid., 35.
7 John O. Bowers, The Old Bailly Homestead,
Gary, Ind., 1923, 3.
8 Cannon, op. cit., 63. In additional a reproduction of one
ledger sheet (p. 64) shows 103,824 pounds for 1804.
9 Sister May Joseph Kennedy, The Pioneer Fur
Traders of Northwestern Indiana, Chicago, 1932, 94.
10 Anson, op. cit., 28, citing Milo M. Quaife (ed.) Burton
Historical Collection Leaflet (Detroit, 1923-1935), VII
(1928-1929), 59-60 states the livre was officially replaced in 1795 by the
franc, worth 19.1 cents or 9 2/5 pence.
Anson, op. cit., 28-29. He states that "... some trader's books were kept
in livres and sous, others in the pounds, shillings and pence of English
currency, and may include American dollars and cents. The general custom until
1850 was to keep accounts in both English and American currency. The English
currency had these values: sterling, which was hardly ever used except as a
basic value; Halifax, less valuable; and New York, still less valuable. One
method of computation was to calculate 100 pounds sterling at 175 pounds Halifax
currency, or a 250 pounds New York currency. Quebec currency was in livres and
sous. Eight shillings equaled one pound, or $2.50 in American currency. Burnett
and Bailly were given to marking their accounts in either livres or pounds in
the same invoices, and the results are total which may be unreliable. Since
Bailly wrote in French his "'livre'" could have meant "'pound'" in three
currencies, or "'livre'" in Quebec currency; the difference was that between
$2.50 and .20."
Also Letter, Bert Anson to Daniel J. Tobin, Region Five Office, February 17,
1958, L58 Great Lakes File.
11 Before recent devaluation of the pound sterling it was valued at
$4,80 in United States currency. The Philadelphia Directory
for 1797, Appendix, 57, lists the rate of exchange at one pound
sterling equals $4.44. Gordon C. Davidson, "The North West Company," Berkeley,
1918, Vol. VII of University of California Publications
in History, H. Morse Stephens and Herbert E. Bolton, (eds.), 17,
estimates the value of the livre at seven-eights of an English shilling. Sales
in London of furs from Canada in 1784 amounted to five million livres or 218,250
pounds. At the rate of 20 shillings to one pound ($4.44) we find a
shilling equals 22.2 cents. Converting this to livres at the rate of
seven-eights of one livre equals one shilling, the value of the livre is 1934
cents. Davidson (p. 20) cites figures for 1784 where a business transaction
amounted to 20,000 currency or $80,000. The pound here is worth $4.00 and the
shilling and livre would be smaller.
12 Anson, op. cit., 79, refers to Bailly Homestead as Trail
Creek. There is a creek by tha name adjacent to Michigan City, Indiana. However,
Bailly's interest and activities as described by Anson relate to the Homestead
site.
13 Ibid., 98. Accounts of the American Fur Company Profit and
Loss, 1827. Upper Mississippi $80,174.71, Lake Superior $29,805.09, Chicago
$17,392.51, Grand River $7,693.78, Mackinac Store $5,681.58, Iroquois outfit
$471.35 and Joseph Bailly $341.84.
Ibid., 81-82. Bailly was only one of 35 men (or partners), no less, who
were licensed to trade with the Indians in 1821-22 with a capital of $400. Of
the recorded capital investments all but on were higher than Bailly.
14 Olga M. Schiemann, "Roads Across Old Bailly Town" in Duneland
Historical Society, II, No. 1, Sept. 1951, 18, map.
15 Ibid., 11.
16 Cannon, op. cit., 75.
17 Letter, Anson to Tobin, op. cit.
18 Frances Howe, "The Story of A
French Homestead in the Old Northwest,
Columbus, 1907, 70.
19 Howe, op. cit., 63.
20 Thomas T. McAvoy, The Catholic Church in
Indiana 1789-1834, New York, 1940, 169.
21 Schiemann, From A Bailly Point of
View, 25.
22 Howe, op. cit., 46.
23 Schiemann, Bailly Town - "Our Historic French Heritage" in
Duneland Historical Society, 2. Miss Schiemann in her From
A Bailly Point of View, 21, adds Latin to the
list of languages.
24 Schimann, From A Bailly Point of
View, 21.
25 Howe, op. cit., 115.
26 Ibid., 154.
27 Schiemann, From A Bailly Point of
View - The Howes, 18 and chart following.
28 Schiemann, From A Bailly Point of
View, 27.
Bailly Homestead historical transcriptions prepared by Steven R. Shook