Michigan City in LaPorte County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Elston Grove Historic District
The role of education is well-evidenced in two of the largest buildings in the district. The Public Library and the Central School were constructed on opposite sides of East 8th Street. While other schools were constructed in Michigan City, Central School supported the promotion of academics for children in the Elston Grove neighborhood since the first building was constructed on the site in 1876 through the time the last building was constructed in 1950.
The desire for educational opportunities for all ages led to the establishment of "The Public Library" in 1897. The building served as a library for not only the Elston Grove neighborhood, but the entire city until 1975 when a new building was constructed nearer the downtown. The Public Library building was the philanthropic project of George Ames, an early city founder, and John Barker, a partner in the railroad car company of Haskell & Barker.
The Elston Grove Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013
Erected by City of Michigan City, Indiana.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.
Location. 41° 42.88′ N, 86° 53.825′ W. Marker is in Michigan City, Indiana, in LaPorte County. It is at the intersection of East 8th Street and Spring Street, on the right when traveling east on East 8th Street. Marker is at the northeast corner of the historic 'Central School.'. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 801 Spring St, Michigan City IN 46360, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Northern Indiana, specifically on the Indiana Dunes and Lake Michigan Shore, and in Greater South Bend. 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: Barker Civic Center (approx. Ό mile away); Barker Mansion (approx. Ό mile away); First Log Cabin in Michigan City (approx. 0.3 miles away); Naomi Anderson (approx. 0.3 miles away); Haskell & Barker Historic District (approx. 0.4 miles away); Charles R. Westcott (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Haskell & Barker Historic District (approx. 0.4 miles away); From Freight Cars to Outlet Stores (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Michigan City.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 4, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 29, 2022, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. This page has been viewed 978 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 29, 2022, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.




