USA > Indiana > Lake County > A standard history of Lake County, Indiana, and the Calumet region, Volume I > Part 35
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42
ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC CHURCHI
All Saints Catholic Church was organized in 1896 with fifty-eight members, under the pastorate of Rev. John Cook. In 1897 the church and schoolhouse on Sibley Street were built, soon after the coming of Rev. Edward F. Barrett, who has been for seventeen years in charge of a growing parish. The brick rectory was erected in 1898 and the sisters' convent in the following year. Father Barrett now ministers to 300 fam- ilies and the parish school has an average attendance of 480 pupils. The value of the church property is estimated at $100.000.
JEWISH CONGREGATIONS AND SOCIETIES
As early as 1881 Jews commenced to locate at Hammond, the early set- tlers being Nathan Levi, Morris Wise, Julius Taussig, Joe Handle, Wil- liam Elsner and Jonas Lautman.
In the year 1894 Rev. Hirsh Berkman settled there, at which time there was no Jewish synagogue or house of worship, and he was obliged to officiate at Orthodox services in a private house until 1899. when Mayer Rubin organized and chartered an Orthodox Congregation, known as Keneseth-Israel, which is still in existence. and has enrolled upon its books a membership of more than eighty. Rev. Hirsh Berkman officiates.
In the year 1909 Mayer Rubin also organized and incorporated a reformed congregation under the name of Beth-Al Congregation, which has a membership of forty-five. In connection with which Congregation a modern Sabbath school is maintained under the supervision of Mayer Rubin, who is also president of the Congregation.
Hammond also boasts of the Jewish Ladies Aid Society, composed of thirty-five energetie and charitably inelined ladies, who have in the
372
LAKE COUNTY AND THE CALUMET REGION
past and are at the present doing commendable work in relieving the needy, regardless of color, creed or faith.
There are two Jewish lodges in Hammond-one known as Israel Zang- will of the Western Star Order, and Zion Gate of the Sons of Zion.
FRIEDENS EVANGELICAL CHURCH
Friedens Evangelical Church was organized November 16, 1905. About twenty men met for that purpose. The name "Deutsche Evan- gelische Friedens Gemeinde" was adopted and the following officers were elected : President, F. Kersten; financial secretary, W. Masepohl; treas- urer, Henry Elster ; recording secretary. B. Koch ; trustees, F. A. Shmidt, H. Otto, and L. Elster. At the same meeting an honorary call was sent to Rev. P. Weil at Petersburg, Illinois. The call was accepted and on January 2, 1906, Reverend Weil took charge of the church, to which he has administered ever since. Publie services were temporarily held in the 1. O. O. F. hall until a lot on Indiana Avenue and Sohl Street was purchased on which a small chapel was erected and in which the services are still held. The organization is primarily a German Church, but English has been introduced to meet the demands of those who are not conversant with the mother language. There are ninety families and approximately four hundred and fifty souls, with a present average at- tendance of about fifty members. A handsome building fund has been created for the purpose of ereeting an appropriate ehureh edifice.
ST. MARY'S CHURCH
Rev. Felix T. Seroczynski, pastor of St. Casimir's, came to Hammond in Angust, 1910. Taking the census of the Polish people, he noticed that their settlement in the eastern part of the city was quite large; there- fore he thought it necessary to organize the Poles and, if possible, build a church for them.
In bringing out his intentions, Rev. Father Seroczynski met with many difficulties, of which the lack of work in factories and the intrigues of the dissatisfied were most hindering. Notwithstanding in 1912 he bought two lots on the corner of Brown and Merrill streets. In July of that year Father Seroczynski was relieved in his laborious work by Rev. Ign. Gapczynski, who within a few months managed to start the building of the church. The first mass was celebrated Christmas day, 1910.
On January 13, 1913. Rev. Anthony R. Gorek was appointed pastor of the new church. He at once built a rectory and the church was dedi- cated June 1, 1913, Rt. Rev. Herman J. Alerding was the officiat-
373
LAKE COUNTY AND THE CALUMET REGION
ing prelate. In the same year Rev. Father Gorek began the building of the school, which was completed in time for the opening of the 1913 school year; 126 pupils attended the school, the teaching of which is in care of the Sisters of St. Francis.
OTHER CHURCHES
Besides the churches mentioned in the foregoing sketches, there are growing congregations in different parts of the city, which have not responded to requests for such information as would enable the editor to give them more than honorary mention. Reference is made to such or- ganizations as the Pine Street Presbyterian, Church of Christ Scientist, St. John's Catholic Church and the First Evangelical Church of Robertsdale.
HAMMOND'S MASONIC HISTORY
The Masonic history of Ilammond starts in 1883, when the population was about one thousand and five hundred and the residence district was bounded by Oakley Avenue, Muenich Court and the State Line. On May 27th of that year a dispensation was issued by Bruce Carr, grand master of the State of Indiana, to Marcus M. Towle, Hiram Hall, Frederick R. Mott, Omar Stoddard, Alfred Smith, William H. Gostlin, John A. Keller and David Nason, to form and open Garfield Lodge No. 569, F. & A. M., with Marcus M. Towle named as worshipful master. Hiram Hall as senior warden, and Frederick R. Mott as junior warden. Alfred Smith was elected treasurer, Omar Stoddard, secretary, and William H. Gostlin, senior deacon, John A. Keller, junior deacon, and David Nason, tyler.
The Lodge hall was situated on the southwest corner of Plumer Ave- nue and Morton Court, on the third floor of the Morton House, now the Carlton Hotel. About 1888 the place of meeting was changed to the Cen- tral Block, corner of Hohman Street and Plumer Avenue, where it re- mained until 1892, when (on December 1st) the Lodge moved into new quarters especially prepared for it on the third floor of the State Street Masonic Temple, situated half way between Hohman Street and Morton Court.
Since 1890 there had been expressions that the Masons should own their own home and this finally resulted in the purchase of a lot at the southwest corner of Hohman Street and Muenich Court in 1901. After- wards deciding that they did not want a business block, that lot was sold and the present one on the north side of Muenich Court was pur- chased in 1906.
374
LAKE COUNTY AND THE CALUMET REGION
On February 17, 1907, the Masonic Temple Building Association was incorporated, the directors of which were Robert C. Kidney, Joseph T. Hutton, Hugh R. Meikle, Joseph G. Ibach and Harry E. Sharrer, with Harry E. Sharrer, president, Joseph G. Ibach, vice president, and Hugh F. Meikle, secretary and treasurer.
The present Temple was started at once and the corner-stone laid May 1st, by Lincoln V. Cravens, grand master of the State, assisted by Charles N. Michels, Calvin W. Prather and George D. Wolfe of the Grand Lodge, the past masters of Garfield Lodge together with the vice president of the United States, Brother Charles W. Fairbanks, who was the orator of the day. The first meeting was held in it on November 29, 1907, and on May 27, 1908, the Lodge celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary at a special meeting for that purpose.
Of the eight men who founded the Lodge in 1883, William H. Gostlin. Frederick R. Mott and John A. Keller are the only survivors among the present membership, which has increased under the following wor- shipful masters to 461: Marcus M. Towle, 1883; Hiram Hall, 1884-5; William H. Gostlin, 1886-7-8-9-91-94-95; George T. Randolph, 1890; John Kreuter, 1892; T. Edwin Bell, 1893; Aldebert W. Warren, 1896- 7; Otto Morbeck, 1898; Joseph G. Ibach, 1899; Harry E. Sharrer, 1900- 01; Frank Travers, 1902; Hugh F. Meikle, 1903-04; Robert S. Galer, 1905; William H. Spellman, 1906; Robert C. Kidney, 1907; Charles R. Dyer, 1908; William F. Howat, 1909: August G. Schneider, 1910; John W. Davis, 1911; Will S. Jones, 1912; Eldridge M. Shanklin, 1913; John B. L. Hinds, 1914.
Hammond Chapter No. 117. R. A. M., was instituted December 7. 1897, by Robert A. Woods, grand high priest of the state, upon the petition of seventeen Royal Arch Masons, with Joseph G. Ibach named as high priest, Aldebert W. Warern as king, and Edward P. Ames as scribe.
The following men have held the office of high priest since the forma- tion of the Chapter and the membership has increased from the original 17 to 307: Joseph G. Ibach, 1897-9; Jonas M. Lautmann. 1900-3; Edward A. Landon, 1904: Theodore F. Conkey, 1905-6; Jacob H. Kasper, 1906; Frank C. Williams, 1907; Otto H. Rabe, 1908: Hugh F. Meikle, 1909 ; William H. Spellman. 1910; William C. McEwen, 1911 ; William F. Howat. 1912: George O. Mallett, 1913: Ulysses G. Petrie, 1914.
Hammond Council No. 90, R. & S. M., was instituted June 15, 1912, by Charles L. Hutchinson, grand master of the state, upon the petition of twenty Royal and Select Masters, and Robert S. Galer was named master. John W. Morthland, deputy master, and William II. Davis,
375
LAKE COUNTY AND THE CALUMET REGION
conductor of work. The present membership is about one hundred and fifteen.
Hammond Commandery No 41, K. T., was instituted January 25, 1897, by Winfield T. Durbin, grand commander of the state, upon the petition of twelve Knights Templar, with William H. Gostlin named as eminent commander, Hobart M. Godfrey, generalissimo, and John C. Pannenburg, captain general. The past eminent commanders, who have watched the increase in membership from the original twelve to the present 209, are: William H. Gostlin, 1897-8; Charles F. Griffin, 1899; Edward P. Ames, 1900; Joseph G. Ibach, 1901-2-3; Joseph J. Ruff, 1904; Harry E. Sharrer, 1905; Joseph T. Hutton, 1906; Hugh F. Meikle, 1907; Robert S. Galer, 1908; Frank C. Williams, 1909; Carl A. Smiley, 1910; George O. Mallett, 1911-2; William F. Howat, 1913-4. Orak Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., was instituted May 18, 1909, Harry E. Sharrer being named as potentate, Hugh F. Meikle, chief rabban, and Harry E. Tuthill, assistant rabban. Under the regime of Potentate Sharrer, from 1909 to 1914, this Shrine, though one of the smallest in the Imperial Council, has achieved a reputation for its unique cere- monials and especially for the novelty of its banquets which has caused it to be known all over Shrinedom. William D. Ray is the present potentate and the membership is about three hundred and sixty.
There is also a flourishing women's auxiliary of the Masonic bodies -Hammond Chapter No. 370, O. E. S. It was organized in June, 1910. Its worthy matrons have been Mrs. Belle Lund, Mrs. Nancy Davis and Mrs. Lacey Keller. Mrs. Davis is the present secretary of the chapter, which has a membership of 110.
ODD FELLOWS LODGES
Calumet Lodge, No. 601, I. O. O. F., was instituted May 27, 1883, the year preceding the incorporation of Hammond as a city. The charter members were L. C. Luce, E. L. Young, M. H. Hayes, J. H. Johnson, A. J. Towle and W. HI. Gostlin. Peter Young was the first member initiated. The institution took place in the Commercial Block, northwest corner of Hohman and State streets, where the meetings were held until the premises were burned by fire, after which the lodge moved to the corner of Russell and Hohman streets. In 1889 a lot at No. 177 State Street was purchased and the present home was dedi- eated on September 30, 1898. The property is valued at about fifty thousand dollars and the total wealth of the lodge at about seventy-five thousand dollars. The present membership is about five hundred, among whom are some of the best known men in the city.
376
LAKE COUNTY AND THE CALUMET REGION
Dorcas Rebekah Lodge, No. 263, I. O. O. F., was instituted July 26, 1886, its charter members being J. D. Van De Walker and wife, Mary Hahn, A. A. Walker, William Walker, John Ryan, W. H. Hayes, A. F. Robinson, E. L. Young, Matt Hayes, L. Rennie, George Summers, Lottie Gregg, A. Schrieber, J. H. Kasper, Peter Reich, HI. C. Soltwedle, A. G. Towle, H. W. Gregg, Jennie Rennie, Lena Webster, Agnes Schrieber, Minnie Reich and Julia M. Hayes. The lodge has a present membership of 228 and the following officers preside : Mrs. Edna Malo, noble grand ; Mrs. Lydia Stevens, recording secretary; Mrs. Lillie Wolfe, financial secretary ; Mrs. Louise Seestadt, treasurer.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF FORESTERS
Court Hammond No. 2 was formed in 1886 as a subordinate court of the Independent Order of Foresters of the State of Illinois, seceding with the other Indiana courts in 1892 from the Illinois order. The first meeting place was in the M. M. Towle store, then opposite the present freight office of the Michigan Central Railroad. The court now meets in the Odd Fellows' Building on East State Street and has forty-one members. The principal feature of the order is its $1,000 policy to each member for the benefit of those depending upon him. The present officers are as follows: C. R., Jacob Schloer; V. C. R., William Flanigan; R. S., Milo M. Bruce; F. S., John F. Krost; treas- urer, John C. Haney ; S. W., Orphy Nelson; J. W., H. M. Kays; S. B., George Drackert; J. B., Richard Adams; chaplain, William Gostlin ; trustees, Joseph G. Ibach, Patrick Reilly and James Vanes.
Court Glueckauf, No. 1, a German organization of the Foresters, at which the proceedings are conducted in the mother tongue, was organized December 11, 1893, in Germania Hall, Hammond. Theodore Ahlendorf was chosen chairman, and the reason for the establishment of the court was explained by High Secretary Cooper of Crown Point. Forty appli- cants were then signed for membership and the first officers of the court elected, as follows: Theodore Ahlendorf, chief ranger; Casper Schmidt, vice chief ranger ; C. Linder, recording secretary ; G. Michael, financial secretary ; August Maver, treasurer. From that first election in Decem- ber, 1893, until the present time the following have served as chief rangers : Theodore Ahlendorf, Charles H. Mayer, C. Dase, William Winter and Charles Lavene. Gottlieb Michael has served the court continuously as financial secretary ; Richard Hahlweg as treasurer since 1899, and Fred Siegrist has been recording secretary also since the year named. There are at present over fifty members of the court in good standing.
377
LAKE COUNTY AND THE CALUMET REGION
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS AND PYTHIAN SISTERS
Hammond Lodge, No. 210, Knights of Pythias, was instituted on February 19, 1889, with twenty-eight charter members, of whom thirteen are still living and in good standing with the home lodge. The present membership of the body is nearly two hundred and twenty. Castle Hall, headquarters of the order is in Rimbach Block. This body purchased the Lincoln-Jefferson Law School Building, which they have leased to the Hammond School Board. It is known at present as the Jefferson School. The first chancellor commander was W. C. Belman; the present head of the lodge, Walter Findling.
Pythian Sisters, Hammond Temple No. 74, was organized on Decem- ber 6, 1892, with a charter membership of thirty-two. After an existence of twenty-one years, there still remains eleven of the original members. The present strength of the Hammond Temple consists of 100 ladies and 67 knights. Organized with a sincere desire to promote the physical, mental, social and moral welfare of its members, Hammond Temple has proved itself to be one of the leading woman orders of the city. As an order its members are interested in all the leading move- ments including work of a charitable and altruistic nature. Meetings are held in the Knights of Pythias Hall.
THE ELKS CLUB
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks organized a elub at Hammond on the 26th of May, 1899, and, as usual, have a comfortable and homelike house for the entertainment of its members and friends. The Elks Club, as it is popularly known, has a membership of nearly two hundred and fifty, and the following have been its presidents: T. Edwin Bell, John D. Smalley, J. A. Gavit, A. M. Turner, J. T. Clark, E. M. Shanklin, V. S. Reiter, T. W. Oberlin, T. H. Jordan, John F. Reiley, D. C. Atkinson, B. W. Chidlaw, H. C. Green and F. A. Hitchcock.
KNIGHTS AND LADIES OF THE MACCABEES
Knights of the Maccabees, Hammond Tent No. 2, was organized in 1892 with Alexander Shields as commander and John D. Smalley as record keeper. The tent now numbers 167 and has as commander Walter Hoke; record keeper, H. A. McConnell.
The Ladies of the Maccabees have two hives. Hammond Hive No. 2 was instituted February 10, 1893, with twenty-seven charter members. The present membership is about one hundred. Silver Light Hive No.
SCENES AT AND AROUND HAMMOND
379
LAKE COUNTY AND THE CALUMET REGION
124 was organized July 18, 1900, with fifteen charter members; present membership, seventy-five.
DAUGHTERS OF LIBERTY
Daughters of Liberty, Golden Rule Couneil No. 1, was instituted July 6, 1891. Its members, which number 225, meet in the Knights of Pythias Hall.
MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA
Eureka Camp, No. 5054, was organized 1897 with a charter member- ship of twenty. Meetings are held in Moltke's Hall. Present member- ship, 260.
LOYAL ORDER OF MOOSE
Hammond Lodge, No. 570, was organized in 1898 and reorganized in 1909 with a charter membership of 150; present membership, 550. Weis Hall in which the meetings are held are on leased premises, comprising the entire second floor of 160-162 State Street. The present officers are : Dietator, J. J. Thompson ; secretary, Earl E. Cole.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
This order is also well represented by a lodge of 297 members or- ganized in January, 1903. In 1913 a building was purchased. Among others, Daniel J. Moran, John W. O'Brien, John Carroll, Thomas S. Beyle, Joseph E. Ray and C. Moran have been prominent upbuilders of the order.
FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES
Hammond Aerie, No. 1252, was organized November 5, 1905, with 100 eharter members; present members number 275. The hall oeeupies the entire third floor of the building at Nos. 83-85 State Street and is one of the most commodious and comfortable lodge premises in Ham- mond. Present officers: Frank Green, president; Henry Elsner, secretary.
OTHER SECRET AND BENEVOLENT BODIES
There are several courts for both men and women, whose membership is drawn from English, German and Polish speaking people, eonneeted with the Catholie Order of Foresters.
380
LAKE COUNTY AND THE CALUMET REGION
Besides these, there are the Columbian Knights, the Tribe of Ben Hur and two Grand Army posts, with their auxiliaries, the Women's Relief Corps.
As a railway and a manufacturing center Hammond has also numer- ous labor unions and "brotherhoods" identified with railroad employes.
THE HAMMOND CLUB
There are few cities of the size of Hammond which have more social and literary organizations of a high grade than the metropolis of the Calumet region. One of the oldest and best known is the Hammond Club, organized in November, 1894, under state laws. It was thus estab- lished for the "literary entertainment and social enjoyment" of its members, with thirty-two charter members, and it has never failed of its purpose. The club afterward limited its membership to one hundred.
HAMMOND WOMAN'S CLUB
The Hammond Woman's Club was organized in October, 1896, at the home of Mrs. B. F. Ibach. The object of the organization as then formed and numbering but forty-five members, was to create a medium through which the women of the city might exert their influence, and their thought and activity have covered art, music, literature, history, education, child welfare, and social and political economics. It has a membership of 270 and Mrs. J. S. Blackmun is its president ; Mrs. Minnie Kline, vice presi- dent ; Mrs. W. C. Harrison, recording secretary : Mrs. L. L. Bomberger, corresponding secretary ; Mrs. H. T. Burk, treasurer.
THE HAMMOND COUNTRY CLUB
The beautiful grounds of the Hammond Country Club adjacent to West Hammond are so popular that they seem almost public in their character. The club was organized in 1912 and its eighty acres of land in that locality embrace both natural beauties, as well as golf courses, tennis courts and other up-to-date means of amusement and exercise. It has a membership of about two hundred and fifty, and the following officers : Frank C. Deming, president ; George Hannaner, vice president ; Louden L. Bomberger, secretary : and Harry M. Johnson. treasurer.
OTHER SOCIAL AND LITERARY CLUBS
The Hammond Dramatic Club, composed of a number of talented young people ; the Shakespeare Club, founded some years ago by the teachers of the city, and the originators of the public library, with
381
LAKE COUNTY AND THE CALUMET REGION
numerous societies which are auxiliary to the activities of the different churches, should fully meet the requirements of both residents and visitors for higher development and progressive thought and action.
THE HAMMOND SETTLEMENT
One of the practical works of benevolence, which is a special creation of the women of Hammond, is the Settlement House, which was estab- lished in November, 1911. It was the outgrowth of the interest aroused in public welfare by the activities of Miss Virginia Brooks. For a year the Elks Lodge gave a cottage on Rimbach Avenue free of rent, and in November, 1912, it was removed to its present location at No. 9 State Street. The financial support of the house is borne by a small group of people who contribute regularly, and others who give occasional aid. Its working force consists of a social worker, Miss Alice Thayer, of the University of Illinois, and a matron who has charge of the day nursery. There are a large number of children cared for daily at the Settlement House. Through the nursery an effort is made to teach mothers the proper care of children. The settlement provides temporary shelter for women and children and gives some material relief. It is also an employ- ment agency. One of the principal activities of the house is to furnish wholesome amusement for the young people of the neighborhood, and many of the teachers in the public schools have devoted their evenings to this work.
The officers at present are: Honorary president, Virginia Brooks Washburn; president, Mrs. W. C. Belman; vice president, Mrs. G. L. Smith ; treasurer, Mrs. J. M. Turner; secretary, Miss Alta Adkins ; house supervisors, Mrs. Ralph Pierce and Mrs. John W. Reilley.
8
3
BINZENHOF staurant Cafe
1
PANORAMA OF THE INDUSTRIAL HEART OF GARY
The Broadway View and Scene from the Lake Shore and Baltimore & Ohio Chicago-New York Trains. 1. Chicago- South Bend Electric Depot. 2. Indiana Steel Company, General Offices. 3. Broadway and Gate Offices. 4. The Rail Mills. 5. New York Central Lines and Baltimore & Ohio Union Station. 6. Steel Plant Hospital. 7. Open-Hearth Plant. 8. Lake Michigan. 9. Steel Plant Harbor and Automatic Unloading Cranes.
CHAPTER XXV
THE CITY OF GARY
GARY LAND COMPANY COMMENCES OPERATIONS-TOWN GOVERNMENT ORGANIZED-INCREASE OF CORPORATE TERRITORY-MAYOR THOMAS E. KNOTTS-WORK OF THE GARY LAND COMPANY-LIGHT, WATER AND POWER-MONEY EXPENDED ON GARY-FIRST STREETS OPENED BY TIIE TOWN-EXTENSION OF BROADWAY-SIMPLE FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENT -CITY AREA AND TOPOGRAPHY-STREET MILEAGE AND IMPROVE- MENTS-WORK OF THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT-THE CITY HALL -GARY PUBLIC LIBRARY-THE GARY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM-EMER- SON AND FROEBEL SCHOOLS-SYSTEM DESCRIBED BY SUPERINTENDENT WIRT-LARGE SLAV ELEMENT-COMMERCIAL BODIES-HOSPITALS -- NEW POSTOFFICE TO COME-A CITY OF CHURCHES-HOLY ANGELS CATHOLIC CHURCH-FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH-FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH-CHRIST CHURCH ( EPISCOPAL )-FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH-BAPTIST CHURCHES FOR COLORED PEOPLE-THE PRESBY- TERIANS-FIRST REFORMED CHURCH-JEWISH TEMPLES -- LATER CHRISTIAN CHURCHES -- OTHER PROTESTANT CHURCHES-CHURCHES FOR THE FOREIGN . BORN-THE Y. M. C. A. OF GARY-THE W. C. T. U .- GARY AS A LODGE C'ITY.
The founding of the great steel mills, with their subsidiary industries, at what has been the City of Gary since October, 1909, has been narrated somewhat in detail. Chapters have also been devoted to the improve- ment of the fine waterways of the Calumet region and the great trunk . and belt railroads which make it so accessible to the world, and to which progress the United States Steel Corporation and the citizens of Gary have so largely contributed. Gary's harbor was not opened to inter- national traffic until July 23, 1908. and the city did not come into close touch with the Calumet region and even Chicago, through the belt and interurban lines, until somewhat later.
GARY LAND COMPANY COMMENCES OPERATIONS
But from the first breaking of ground for the Gary industrial plants the work of eity-planning and expansion, the platting of a town and a
383
384
LAKE COUNTY AND THE CALUMET REGION
municipality, the cutting through of streets, the laying of sewers, the founding of homes, the creation of light and electric power for domestic and public purposes-in short, the establishment of all the best modern agencies for sanitary, comfortable and intelligent living was being brought to pass with wonderful rapidity, ability and versatility. The power behind that remarkable transformation, which within five years made a finished city out of nothing tangible in the fore part of 1906, was the Gary Land Company, which was organized in the spring of that year as a subsidiary to the United States Steel Corporation. Its officers were E. B. Buffington, president ; J. G. Thorpe, vice president ; and T. J. Hyman, secretary and treasurer. The Gary Land Company was organized for the purpose of handling the 9,000 acres of land origi- nally acquired by the corporation, through the services of A. F. Knolls in 1905 and in the spring of 1906, and under the general superintend- ence of Capt. H. S. Norton the first of the thousand and more homes since occupied by employes commenced to appear above ground in the winter of 1906-7.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.