World War Memorial Tree LaPorte County (Indiana)

Historical marker location:

813 Lincolnway, La Porte, Indiana

( Marker is on Michigan Avenue north of Lincolnway, on the left when traveling north.)

The first public demonstration of the electric light bulb was given by Thomas Edison in Menlo Park, New Jersey, but the first practical incandescent light bulb was invented by Lewis Howard Latimer, who was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, but lived in Indiana for a time. Latimer was also the first African American to be employed as an engineer by the U.S. Patent Office.