Michigan City in LaPorte County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Great Lakes' First Submarine

Sesquicentennial - 150 Years

— Michigan City, Indiana, 1833 - 1983 —

Great Lakes' First Submarine Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lou Donkle, April 4, 2024

1. Great Lakes' First Submarine Marker

Inscription. In 1845 Lodner Darvontis Phillips invented and launched the first submarine on the Great Lakes in Trail Creek at the foot of the Old Lighthouse. Phillips designed his submarines for salvage and warfare. His cigar-shaped design was the forerunner of the basic design used in the first Navy submarines. In 1851 Phillips took his family for an all-day ride on the bottom of Lake Michigan.

Erected 1983 by Michigan City Historical Society, Inc.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1845.

Location. 41° 43.362′ N, 86° 54.355′ W. Marker is in Michigan City, Indiana, in LaPorte County. It can be reached from 100 Heisman Harbor west of Franklin Street. Marker is next to the museum entrance on the right. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Heisman Harbor, 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: Hoosier Slide (a few steps from this marker); S. S. Eastland Disaster (within shouting distance of this marker); Michigan City Lighthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Michigan City Spanish War Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker);

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Michigan City GAR Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Roger J. McKee Memorial Fountain (within shouting distance of this marker); Millennium Plaza (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Washington Park Historic District (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Michigan City.

Marker located right of the museum entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lou Donkle, April 4, 2024

2. Marker located right of the museum entrance

Model of submarine is located inside museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lou Donkle, April 4, 2024

3. Model of submarine is located inside museum

Credits. This page was last revised on April 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 5, 2024, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. This page has been viewed 419 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 5, 2024, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.