Indiana, LaPorte County, La Porte
French fur traders came to Northwest Indiana in the 1600's. A natural opening through the forest served as a gateway to the prairies beyond. They called this opening, La Porte, meaning, “the door”, from which the county received its name.
La Porte County became the second largest county in geographic area (608 square miles) in Indiana and was organized in 1832. Fur traders and early settlers used the Sauk Trail that had been created by Native Americans who lived in and traveled through this area.
(Paraphrased from Jan Shupert-Arick’s book The Lincoln Highway Across Indiana.)
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Bob’s Bar-B-Q - Beginning in the 1920's Bob’s Bar-B-Q was a popular stop on the Lincoln Highway and is one that is still remembered by the local old timers. Located near the junction of Indiana 2 (Lincoln Highway) and U.S. 20 in Rolling Prairie, it remains a busy eatery. Now known as Jennie Rae’s, the slogan is “Where our family meets yours.”
(Courtesy Jennie Rae’s)
Downtown La Porte, 1954 The American Restaurant, now B&J’s American Café at 607 Lincoln Way, was built in 1915. The restaurant continues to be a favorite stop for Lincoln Highway tourists. The café has been owned by the Pappas family for 90 years.
(Courtesy John Pappas)
The Hotel Rumely, 800 Michigan Avenue, is now the restored Rumely Historic Apartments. Built in 1912, the 100 room hotel opened in 1913. It was a popular overnight stay for Lincoln Highway travelers. According to an advertisement in the 1915 Complete Official Road Guide of the Lincoln Highway the rooms were fireproof, modern throughout, and used the European plan with rates of $1.00 and up. Rooms with baths were $1.50 and up. “Special Attention Given to Automobile Parties”.
(Courtesy Russell Rein.)
Lincoln Highway Day in La Porte, June 25, 1915. The Lincoln Highway Association made a film of scenes along the Lincoln Highway and La Porte was one of 65 cities represented. The thousands of people attending witnessed the greatest industrial parade in the history of La Porte. After the parade, LH Field Secretary H.C. Ostermann selected Miss Dorothy Dolan as the prettiest girl from the La Porte Bay Tree Inn basketball team float. Dorothy is pictured riding in the official Lincoln Highway Car, a Stutz.
(Courtesy John Pappas)
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The Interurban (Northern Indiana Railway) was the means of travel that used trolley or street cars. The interurban ran down Main Street (now Lincoln Way) in La Porte from 1902 to 1934. The street cars connected La Porte with Michigan City, South Bend and beyond. The automobile brought about its demise. Note the blankets covering the auto radiators.
(Courtesy La Porte County Historical Society)
Munson Company Today a hybrid car is viewed as a new innovation. However America’s first gasoline-electric hybrid was built on April 25, 1898 by the Munson Company of La Porte. The factory was located on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Washington Street. The “horseless carriage” was produced here between 1896 and 1902. Only four Munson automobiles were manufactured in La Porte.
(Courtesy Dennis Horvath, Photo, La Porte County Historical Society.)
The Current New York Central Depot was built to take the place of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Depot that burned in 1907. It was constructed by Lawson and Danielson in 1909-10, with a passenger/ticket office and a baggage express building. The platform with a roof in between the buildings was added later. A tunnel was built between the buildings to convey the baggage. The depot was restored and dedicated in 2009. It is now the home of the La Porte Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Corporation.
(Courtesy La Porte County Historical Society.)
The La Porte County Courthouse. Two courthouses have been built on this site prior to the present one, built in 1892-94. It is built of Lake Superior red sandstone.
(Courtesy La Porte County Historical Society)
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Pinhook Methodist Church Located west of La Porte on State Road 2, this church was built on an old Indian trail that became part of the Lincoln Highway in 1913. Erected in 1847, the church was built out of hand-hewn walnut logs. Originally the front entry had two door openings, one for men and one for the women. Restored in 1989, the church is the oldest church building in La Porte County and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009.
(Courtesy Phyllis Marks.)
Westville Lincoln Highway Baseball Team John Jerome was born in 1885 and was a member of the team called “Lincoln Highway” because players lived in and around Westville on the Lincoln Highway. At that time (1915) there were many local ball teams.
(Courtesy Mike Fleming, Westville Historical Society)
At the Monon Railroad (removed) site in downtown Westville, at Lincoln funeral marker, the La Porte County Parks Department is planning a bike and walking trail. The trail leading north will be called the Lincoln Memorial Trail. It will continue to Michigan City and Lake Michigan with other names, providing many parking trail heads.
(Courtesy Jim Bevins.)
Wanatah This image captures a view of the Richman House in 1893. The house still stands today at 10351 W. U.S. 30. William and Augusta Richman raised 9 children here. William was the president of the Wanatah State Bank and a prosperous farmer. This house sat just north of the original Lincoln Highway until it was moved further north when the Lincoln Highway, (by then U.S. 30) was made a 4-lane highway.
(Courtesy Wanatah Historical Society)
Hanna This photo is of Hanna’s principal business section at the corner of West Street (old Lincoln Highway) and Thompson Street in the early 1900's. Shown are the Denison and the Grieger Bros. store buildings.
(Courtesy Hanna Historical Society)
(Railroads & Streetcars • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers) Includes location, directions, 6 photos, GPS coordinates, map.