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Northwest Indiana and "the Region"

The area from South Chicago at Lake Calumet to Michigan City and the drainage basins of the Calumet and Grand Calumet rivers is called the Calumet Region or "the Region" by its residents. Born out of the last ice age and the formation of what is now called Lake Michigan, the area is ridge after ridge of former beaches and mounds of sand dunes. Although most of the area was too swampy to farm and settle, unlike the area west of the great lake, it was discovered in the late 1800s and early 1900s to be the perfect place to build steel mills and oil refinaries.

The building of the steel mills and oil refinaries created new cities, towns, and communities, among them the cities of Hammond founded in 1883, East Chicago in 1893, Whiting in 1895, and the city of Gary in 1906. Along the ridge Calumet River are the towns of Munster, Highland, Hobart, and Griffith. Other towns further south on another ridge are Schererville, Merrillville, Crown Point, Dyer, and Cedar Lake.

The purpose of this Web site is to introduce "the region" to those who live here and those who will visit, either in person or through cyberspace. Although the region has a strong industrial heritage, it is also noted for its vast onion fields in its early agriculutural roots. Moreoever, the region is rich in culture and art. The Chicagoland area, of which the region is part, is known as the fourth largest center of art and cultural activies in the Unitied States, with its many gallaries, theaters, and festivals.

Within these pages, you'll find links that will unveil the story of the region, introduce its deep agricultural and cultural roots, and present the people who live and work in this area today.

• More Region Links
• Other Area Links
• State Map