Gary in Lake County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Stewart Settlement House

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, August 7, 2015

1. Stewart Settlement House Marker [Front]

Inscription.
Stewart House was organized during depression of 1921 to provide social services for Gary’s black community. A vital neighborhood center for unemployed WWI veterans and southern blacks who migrated for jobs in steel mills, it helped thousands adjust to urban life. Services included lodging and meals, as well as legal, medical, and employment advice. Moved here, 1925.

U.S. Steel, with an interest in regulating its workers, helped fund the settlement house, designed by architect W.W. Cooke. The Methodist Episcopal Church and Gary’s blacks also donated funds. Rev. Frank Delaney guided its development as superintendent, 1920-1939, and made it a source of pride for blacks. During Great Depression, it aided hundreds daily. Closed 1970s.

Erected 2014 by Indiana Historical Bureau, Indiana Landmarks, and Christ United Methodist Church. (Marker Number 45.2014.2.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1921.

Location. 41° 35.271′ N, 87° 20.13′ W.

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Marker is in Gary, Indiana, in Lake County. It is at the intersection of East Massachusetts Street and West 15th Avenue, on the right when traveling east on East Massachusetts Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1501 E Massachusetts St, Gary IN 46403, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Indiana

and specifically on the Indiana Dunes and Lake Michigan Shore.

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Froebel School (approx. 0.4 miles away); Atty. Hall's Historic Patriotic Peace Flower and Rose Gardens and Mini-Forest Preserve (approx. 0.4 miles away); Rep. Katie Hall (1938-2012) / Origin of Dr. MLK Day Law (approx. 0.4 miles away); City Church (approx. 0.9 miles away); Michael Jackson (approx. 0.9 miles

The Stewart Settlement House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lou Donkle, June 19, 2022

2. The Stewart Settlement House

The John Stewart Memorial Settlement House was designed by William Cooke circa 1925. Cooke owned his own firm in Gary, Indiana and became the first African American to be licensed to practice architecture in the state of Indiana. Settlement houses provided educational, recreational, and other social services to communities in urban areas. Photos: Mothers Club and the Stewart House 1930. (Far right, Rev. Frank S. Delaney, Delaney Methodist Church.)

away); Michael Jackson Place of Birth (approx. 0.9 miles away); Lake Wind Sand Composition - Gary State Bank Building (approx. one mile away); Gary Indiana: Street Car System (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gary.

Stewart Settlement House Marker [Back] image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, August 7, 2015

3. Stewart Settlement House Marker [Back]

Marker Placement in Urban Farm image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lou Donkle, June 19, 2022

4. Marker Placement in Urban Farm

Credits. This page was last revised on October 9, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2015, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,076 times since then and 33 times this year. Last updated on June 20, 2022, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. Photos: 1. submitted on August 10, 2015, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. 2. submitted on June 20, 2022, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. 3. submitted on August 10, 2015, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. 4. submitted on June 20, 2022, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.