National Register Listing

West Fifth Avenue Apartments Historic District

Roughly 5th Ave. from Taft to Pierce St., Gary, IN
Local significance of the district:
Community Planning And Development; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

community planning and development architecture
The Hoosier Gym in Knightstown, Indiana, was used as the filming location for the basketball scenes in the movie "Hoosiers," which tells the story of a small-town high school basketball team that wins the state championship.
Indiana random facts
Lake County, Indiana, has a rich and diverse history that dates back thousands of years. The region was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, such as the Miami and Potawatomi, who lived off the land and utilized the resources in the area. European exploration and settlement arrived in the late 1600s, with French fur traders establishing relationships with the Native American tribes.

In the early 1800s, the area that is now Lake County was part of the Indiana Territory, and in 1833, Lake County was officially organized as a separate county. The region experienced rapid growth in the mid-1800s, with the development of industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, and transportation. The construction of the Erie Canal, which connected Lake Erie to the Ohio River, further facilitated economic growth and trade in the area.

The discovery of large amounts of oil in the late 19th century brought significant prosperity to Lake County. Companies such as Standard Oil, founded by John D. Rockefeller, established refineries and fueled the local economy. The county's population grew throughout the 20th century, as people were drawn to the job opportunities and amenities the area offered.

Lake County is known for its rich cultural heritage and diverse communities. Over time, waves of immigrants, including Polish, Irish, German, and Mexican, have settled in the county, leaving a lasting impact on its culture and traditions. Today, Lake County continues to thrive as a major economic hub in the state of Indiana, with a strong manufacturing sector, vibrant arts and culture scene, and a dedication to preserving its historical legacy.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Lake County, Indiana.

  • 1803 - Treaty of Greenville results in the cession of the land that would become Lake County.
  • 1834 - Lake County is officially established by the Indiana General Assembly.
  • 1837 - The town of Crown Point is designated as the county seat.
  • 1851 - The Lake County Courthouse is completed in Crown Point.
  • 1906 - The Standard Steel Car Company, later known as the Pullman-Standard Car Manufacturing Company, is founded in Hammond.
  • 1926 - The first section of the Lincoln Highway, the first transcontinental highway in the United States, is completed in Lake County.
  • 1929 - The infamous St. Valentine's Day Massacre takes place in Chicago, just across the county line.
  • 1943 - The construction of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore begins, preserving a portion of Lake County's shoreline.
  • 1966 - The city of Gary reaches its peak population of over 178,000 people.
  • 1971 - The Lake County government center is completed in Crown Point, consolidating various county offices.
  • 2009 - The Cabela's retail store opens in Hammond, becoming a popular attraction in Lake County.