National Register Listing

Valparaiso Downtown Commercial District

a.k.a. See Also:Porter County Jail and Sheriff's House;Porter Count

Roughly bounded by Jefferson, Morgan, Indiana, and Napoleon, Valparaiso, IN
Local significance of the district:
Commerce; Politics/government; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1990.

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.

commerce politics government architecture
Indiana is the birthplace of the first black Supreme Court Justice, Thurgood Marshall. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland, but grew up in Indiana, where he attended high school and college.
Indiana random facts
Porter County, Indiana has a rich and fascinating history that dates back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Potawatomi and Miami, who farmed and hunted in the region. In the early 1800s, European settlers began to arrive, attracted by the fertile land and abundant natural resources.

The county was officially established in 1836 and named after Commodore David Porter, a naval officer during the War of 1812. The arrival of the railroad in the 1850s brought significant growth and prosperity to the county, as it became an important transportation hub for the region. This led to the development of towns and industry, including the establishment of the city of Valparaiso as the county seat.

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Porter County experienced a boom in agriculture and manufacturing, with the rise of dairy farming, fruit orchards, and steel production. This period of growth was accompanied by advancements in education and infrastructure, such as the establishment of Purdue University's North Central campus in 1947.

Today, Porter County is known for its diverse economy, picturesque landscapes, and vibrant communities. It is home to a thriving tourism industry, thanks to attractions like Indiana Dunes National Park and the charming downtown areas of Valparaiso and Chesterton. Additionally, the county continues to be a hub for agriculture, manufacturing, and education, with several colleges and universities located within its borders.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Porter County, Indiana.

  • 1809 - The area that is now Porter County is established as part of the Indiana Territory.
  • 1836 - Porter County is officially formed and named in honor of Commodore David Porter.
  • 1837 - Valparaiso is chosen as the county seat.
  • 1852 - The first railroad, the Michigan Central Railroad, is built in Porter County.
  • 1871 - The Indiana Dunes, located along the southern shore of Lake Michigan, become a popular tourist destination.
  • 1893 - The Columbian Exposition in Chicago leads to increased interest in the Indiana Dunes and the area's natural beauty.
  • 1933 - Construction begins on the Indiana Dunes State Park, which is officially opened in 1948.
  • 1966 - The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is established, preserving a large portion of the dunes for future generations.
  • 2008 - The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is redesignated as the Indiana Dunes National Park, becoming the 61st national park in the United States.