Michigan City in LaPorte County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Washington Park Historic District
Photographed By Trevor L Whited, July 10, 2022
1. Washington Park Historic District Marker
The Washington Park Zoo began in 1928, due in large part to cast-off or injured exotic animals and pets once cared for by the fire department. During the Great Depression, New Deal programs under the Works Progress Administration assisted the greater development of the park. These included animal houses, like Monkey Island, and other buildings for the zoo. The Washington Park Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.
Maybe the most prominent feature of the Washington Park Zoo is the 80-foot observation tower dedicated in 1937. The four-story tower is an unusual Art Deco-style structure built atop a dune to provide full views in every direction of the park and lake Michigan beyond. The structure is a steel railroad tower faced with stone and topped with spherical ornament purported to be a compression chamber from the city's first fire engine.
Erected by Michigan City, Indiana.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.
Location. 41° 43.536′ N, 86° 54.063′ W. Marker is in Michigan City, Indiana, in LaPorte County. Marker is on Lake Shore Drive, on the right when traveling west. The marker
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Michigan City World War I Memorial (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Michigan City Civil War Monument (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Washington Park Historic District (approx. ¼ mile away); Millennium Plaza (approx. ¼ mile away); Roger J. McKee Memorial Fountain (approx. 0.3 miles away); S. S. Eastland Disaster (approx. 0.3 miles away); Michigan City Lighthouse (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hoosier Slide (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Michigan City.
Additional keywords. Washington Park Zoo
Photographed By Trevor L Whited, July 10, 2022
2. Washington Park Historic District Marker
Photographed By Trevor L Whited, July 10, 2022
3. Washington Park Historic District Marker
Photographed By Trevor L Whited, July 10, 2022
4. Washington Park Historic District Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 13, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 9, 2022, by Trevor L Whited of Kokomo, Indiana. This page has been viewed 253 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 9, 2022, by Trevor L Whited of Kokomo, Indiana. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
