Valparaiso in Porter County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Corner of Washington and Jefferson Streets
Photographed by Lou Donkle, January 8, 2024
1. Corner of Washington and Jefferson Streets Marker
Welcome to Portersville, established in 1836. One year later, in 1837, Portersville became Valparaiso, the current county seat of Porter County. You are standing approximately in the middle of the original plat of 1836.
The Central District reflects the town's development between 1850 through the 1950s. The majority of the homes in this district were built during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, reflecting a Victorian style.
The home to your right at 102 Washington St., the Sarah Porter Kinsey Memorial, was formerly a home with a nursing school in the basement.
To the south is Jefferson Street. In 1892 a portion of Jefferson Street and the south end of Locust Street (a few blocks east) were paved with brick, the first paved streets in the city.
Erected 2023 by Central Neighborhood Association with a Neighborhood Improvement Grant funded by the Valparaiso Redevelopment Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Education • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.
Location. 41° 28.133′ N, 87° 3.655′ W.
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Regionally, this marker is in Northwest Indiana and in the Calumet Region. 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: Site of the First School House in Valparaiso 1837 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Porter County (Indiana) Veterans (about 500 feet away); The story of Orville Redenbacher and Charlie Bowman (about 500 feet away); Old Sac Trail (about 600 feet away); The Lincoln Highway (about 700 feet away); Historical Society of Porter County Old Jail Museum
Photographed by Lou Donkle, January 8, 2024
2. Marker at the corner of Washington and Jefferson Streets
Credits. This page was last revised on August 24, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 15, 2024, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. This page has been viewed 400 times since then and 36 times this year. Last updated on August 23, 2024, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 15, 2024, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
