History of Lake, Porter, and LaPorte, 1927County history published by the Historians' Association . . . .
Source Citation:
Cannon, Thomas H., H. H. Loring, and Charles J. Robb. 1927.
History of
the Lake and Calumet Region of Indiana, Embracing the Counties of Lake,
Porter and LaPorte: An Historical Account of Its People and Its Progress
from the Earliest Times to the Present.
Volume I. Indianapolis, Indiana: Historians' Association. 840 p.
HISTORY OF THE LAKE AND CALUMET REGION OF INDIANA
CHAPTER XXVIII.
CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.
CROWN POINT -- VALPARAISO -- LAPORTE -- MICHIGAN CITY -- WHITING -- EAST
CHICAGO -- HAMMOND -- GARY.
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CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.
It may be said with truth that in few cities of Indiana have Chambers of Commerce rendered such effective aid in advancing the interests of their communities as the Chambers of Commerce in the cities of the Lake and Calumet Region. Their work in advancing civic, commercial and industrial interests; promoting a high order of ethics in the conduct of business and commercial practises; the opportunity they furnished for intelligent thought and discussion of matters of public interest and their recommendation after due and proper reflection of the right action to be taken by those in authority or by the community as a whole and their ability to make intelligent investigation of how best to care for the local problems in each community of vital interest to the citizens, have assured them a permanent fixed place in each community and they are now recognized as a necessary and essential part of its organized life. Composed as they are of progressive citizens in every branch of community life and being non-partisan, non-sectional, and non-sectarian in their activities, they represent the very best thought and spirit of each community with the result that their efforts are reflected in benefits of a permanent and varied character to the general good of every citizen. Location, resources and general advantages are the most important factors in the development of a city and when these opportunities for growth and expansion are reinforced by an intelligent and progressive citizenship, the progress of such a community is irresistible. Each city and section has its own local problems and it is a part of the wide scope of activities of the Chambers of Commerce to investigate the respective community problems and the opportunity for development, and that this study has not been neglected in the cities of the Lake and Calumet Region is shown by the reports of the various Chambers of Commerce throughout the Lake Region.
In the heart of a rich farming community, the Crown Point Chamber of Commerce have been promoting a spirit of co-operation with the citizens who live on farms and in aiding the suburban district in the solving
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of its problems as well as creating a community spirit in the city itself. The attention of the great industrial section of the Northern part of the county has been brought to the many residential advantages associated with Crown Point which will eventually result in a material increase in the population of the city with the greater growth of the Northern industrial area.
The Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce has been a very active body and with an intelligent program to not only develop great community spirit and high ideals of citizenship, but to stimulate the expansion of present industries and the location of suitable new ones. They are endeavoring to obtain greater marketing facilities and a municipal market for farm products and are actively cooperating with the Porter County Farm Bureau in developing the agricultural resources of the county and bring about closer relations of city and county interests. Valparaiso has been noted as an ideal place for residence and its advantages in this direction as well as its educational opportunities are being widely advertised and an effort is now being made for fast suburban train service to Chicago. which accomplishment should result in the establishment of homes in Valparaiso by many Chicago residents.
LaPorte is noted for its natural beauty and its many small likes left behind by the Greater Glacier ages ago. It is a prosperous manufacturing and agricultural center and its desirable advantages for residence and manufacturing are being widely advertised by the local Chamber of Commerce. Preparations for an active campaign to locate new industries are now under way by the Chamber of Commerce and unquestionably will result in greatly enlarging its manufacturing operations. Attractive booklets have been issued calling attention to the city’s excellent schools, its churches, its pure water supply, its fine transportation facilities and its many desirable advantages to the home-seeker and manufacturer.
The Michigan City Chamber of Commerce has been an active force in its community for a number of years and a prominent factor in bringing about the establishment of the new zoning system. Michigan City beaches for years have drawn thousands of summer residents to the city and the Chamber of Commerce have been instrumental in a large measure in this accomplishment. It also has to its credit the establishment of a number of local factories and has been active in every movement for the establishment of modern municipal improvements.
The Whiting Chamber of Commerce has been a potent influence in the promotion of measures not only for the benefit of the city of Whiting but for the entire Calumet District. While fostering all local measures of vital importance to the city of Whiting they have taken an important part in creating a healthy public sentiment in favor of the Lakes to the
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Gulf Highway by way of the Mississippi and the proposed deep waterway from the ocean to the Great Lakes by way of the St. Lawrence. The many other measures to aid in the development of a greater Calumet District have not only had their sympathy and support but their active cooperation.
The East Chicago Chamber of Commerce in a comparatively few years years of existence have a record of worth while accomplishments and are now one of the busiest organizations in the entire Lake Region. Preparing to make East Chicago one of the most desirable places for residence in the entire Lake Region has been a part of its many activities and the efforts in this direction are bearing fruit in the measures now being taken to make East Chicago one of the most modern municipalities. The City Survey fostered by the Chamber of Commerce has brought to light many needed changes in the life of the city and the Chamber is now busily at work in aiding in solving the municipal problems. While largely devoting its time and energy to East Chicago it is also actively interested in the major problems of the Calumet Region and its work in this direction is of the most influential character. The Chamber is fortunate in having a talented and very efficient Secretary and Manager in H. R. Packard.
The Hammond Chamber of Commerce has been in existence about thirteen years but was reorganized in 1922 since which time the organization has been a vital force not only in Hammond but in the entire Calumet District. Lack of space prevents recording the many accomplishments of the Hammond Chamber of Commerce in the past few years and especially its efforts in “creating a desire to live in Hammond because it is a good place to live.” It has been active for some time in promoting a City Plan and track elevation; an industrial survey; more and better roads; street widening and beautifying the city. It was at the suggestion of the Hammond Chamber of Commerce that the Lake Michigan Sanitation Congress was organized and which is educating municipalities in Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan, bordering on Lake Michigan, to the necessity of preserving the Lake from filth and disease breeding sewage. It was at its suggestion that the cities of Hammond, Whiting and East Chicago, are now having made a survey which will show the way to prevent the contamination of the sources of the three cities' water supply, Lake Michigan, through an intercepting sewer for the catching of all industrial and household sewage. Its periodical publication “Pep-in-Calumet” is one of the most comprehensive statistical pamphlets ever issued by a Chamber of Commerce. Its Secretary since 1923, R. G. Brusch, is an able official and his activity, experience and knowledge has been invaluable to the Chamber.
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The Gary Chamber of Commerce has been in existence nearly six years and it has grown steadily in membership and influence, has enlarged its field of activities and usefulness and has become the acknowledged leader in civic, commercial and industrial affairs in the city. As would be expected in an industrial city, the Chamber of Commerce has spared no efforts in rendering every service possible in assisting local industries but while doing this, they have not neglected any efforts necessary to locate new industries. A careful study has been made of the types of industries in which lie the greatest possibilities for successful growth in Gary and the efforts of the Chamber of Commerce in this direction are certain to bear fruit in the acquisition of manufacturers of iron and steel products in such a favorable environment for collateral industries. It has been an active factor in promoting improvements in traffic and transportation conditions; in the widening and improvement of present roads and the building of new modern highways and has been a potent influence in the promotion of the building of the New Superior Court House in Gary. In the larger problems of the Calumet District it has given every aid, support and cooperation. It has been active in promoting the Lakes to the Gulf waterway and the Lakes to the Ocean waterway via the St. Lawrence, and is officially represented in the Seaways Association. In solving local community and municipal problems the Chamber has always taken a prominent part and has rendered important service since it has been organized in every department of civic welfare. Its annual survey, “Gary Forges Prosperity,” is a most excellent publication and ranks with the very best issued by any similar organization. It has a wealth of statistics and general information of value on every department of the city's welfare and shows the most painstaking research on the part of the Chamber. James U. Nichols, Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, is noted for his courtesy and the many exceptional qualifications he possesses for the position which he holds and is a capable and efficient official.
A very live civic organization, the Chesterton Chamber of Commerce, has
attracted much attention during the last five years. Its policy is
aggressive and is shaped and carried into execution by a group of young
forward looking Chestertonians. They are prepared to meet the evergrowing
region half way, and have the facilities all prepared to assure Chesterton’s
share of the big things at hand.
NAVIGATION OF
HISTORY OF THE LAKE AND CALUMET REGION OF INDIANA
FOREWARD
AN APPRECIATION
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I - Geology and Topography
CHAPTER II - The Mound Builders
CHAPTER III - Days of Indian Occupancy
CHAPTER IV - Early Explorations
CHAPTER V - Border Warfare
CHAPTER VI - Lake and Calumet Region Becomes Part of United States
CHAPTER VII - After Wayne and Greenville - Tecumseh and the Prophet
CHAPTER VIII - Indian Peace
CHAPTER IX - Early Settlements and Pioneers - County Organization
CHAPTER X - Townships - Towns - Villages
CHAPTER XI - Pioneer Life
CHAPTER XII - The Lake Michigan Marshes
CHAPTER XIII - Agriculture and Livestock
CHAPTER XIV - Military Annals
CHAPTER XV - The Lake and Calumet Region in the World War
CHAPTER XVI - The Newspapers
CHAPTER XVII - The Medical Profession
CHAPTER XVIII - The Bench and Bar in the Lake and Calumet Region
CHAPTER XIX - Churches
CHAPTER XX - Schools
CHAPTER XXI - Libraries
CHAPTER XXII - Social Life
CHAPTER XXIII - The Dunes of Northwestern Indiana
CHAPTER XXIV - Banks and Banking
CHAPTER XXV - Transportation and Waterways
CHAPTER XXVI - Cities
CHAPTER XXVII - Industrial Development
CHAPTER XXVIII - Chambers of Commerce
Transcribed by Steven R. Shook, December 2022