Miller Beach in Gary in Lake County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Patterson Island
Bridging Nature + History
Photographed By Lou Donkle, July 10, 2022
1. Patterson Island Marker
For decades people have enjoyed strolling the bridges to Patterson Island. The small island located in the Grand Calumet Lagoon was enhanced for access during the Great Depression through the Works Progress Administration (WPA).
[Captions:]
Over the years, several bridges have been built and replaced, including wood arches, suspension style and a concrete causeway.
- Postcard circa 1930-1945, Boston Public Library
- WPA workers built roads, railroads and park amenities during the Great Depression.
- Early bridge. Gary Post-Tribune, Elmer Budlove; photographer.
- The current War Memorial Bridge is an interpretation of a 14th-century Shinto Shrine and is dedicated to Veterans of all Wars.
The island is named for William Patterson, Gary's first real estate broker. He was appointed to the Park Board in 1935.
The island is planted with native plants and shrubs that help reduce erosion and provide habitat for birds and pollinators.
- In late summer, look for the showy pink flowers of Rose Mallow. It is favored by bumblebees and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds for pollen and nectar.
- You might spot the bright twigs of Red-osier Dogwood in winter. The Spring Azure Butterfly lays eggs on this shrub insummer.
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Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series list.
Location. 41° 37.093′ N, 87° 15.634′ W. Marker is in Gary, Indiana, in Lake County. It is in Miller Beach. Memorial can be reached from Oak Avenue north of Marquette Drive, on the right when traveling south. Marker is north of Patterson Island just beyond the ADA canoe launch starting at the street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 800 Chanute Trail, Gary IN 46403, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Marquette Pavilion (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jacques Marquette (approx. 0.2 miles away); Octave Chanute (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Octave Chanute (approx. 0.2 miles away); Chanute Glider (approx. 0.2 miles away); Octave Chanute 1832-1910 (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Octave Chanute (approx. 0.2 miles away); Gary Bathing Beach Aquatorium (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gary.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Marquette Park, Gary,
Photographed By Lou Donkle, July 10, 2022
2. Construction Dedication Marker
Also see . . . Patterson Island in Marquette Park & Its Bridges. Website of a Miller Beach historian.
An influx of money to the park board from the New Deal’s Works Progress Administration (WPA) put nearly 1,000 people to work building North Gleason park and completing projects in other parks, including a Gun Club Clubhouse in Marquette Park, and Patterson Island.(Submitted on July 23, 2022, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana.)
Photographed By Lou Donkle, July 10, 2022
3. Construction Marker, Trail, and War Memorial Bridge
Credits. This page was last revised on July 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 23, 2022, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. This page has been viewed 131 times since then and 30 times this year. Last updated on June 26, 2023, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 23, 2022, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
