Valparaiso in Porter County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Michael O'Connor Family

One of the Pioneer Settlers in Porter County

Photographed by Lou Donkle, May 20, 2024

1. Michael O'Connor Family Marker

Inscription.
This tablet is dedicated to the Michael O'Connor family, one of the pioneer settlers in Porter County.

Michael O'Connor came from Ireland in 1845. In 1850 he acquired the ground now known as Forest Park and operated it as a farm. In 1852 he was married to Martha Curtis. After the death of the parents, the land was farmed by the children. In 1921 some of the land was sold and divided into building lots. In 1948 Charles J. and Bertha O'Connor sold the last of the original land to the Valparaiso Park District to be maintained as a public park.

Many of the descendants of the O'Connor family live in Valparaiso today.

Erected 1951 by Valpo Parks.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.

Location. 41° 28.896′ N, 87° 4.529′ W. Marker is in Valparaiso, Indiana, in Porter County. It is at the intersection of Harrison Boulevard and Yellowstone Road, on the right when traveling west on Harrison Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1158 Harrison Blvd, Valparaiso IN 46385, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Indiana.

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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: To Honor William and Blanche Schleman (approx.

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¼ mile away); History of Ogden Botanical Gardens (approx. half a mile away); Heritage Lutheran Church (approx. one mile away); Central Triangle (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Lincoln Highway (approx. 1.1 miles away); Old Sac Trail (approx. 1.1 miles away); Corner of Washington and Jefferson Streets (approx. 1.2 miles away); The story of Orville Redenbacher and Charlie Bowman (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Valparaiso.

Marker in front of Discover Cottage image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lou Donkle, May 20, 2024

2. Marker in front of Discover Cottage

Valpo Parks Discovery Cottage image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lou Donkle, May 20, 2024

3. Valpo Parks Discovery Cottage

Credits. This page was last revised on May 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 18, 2024, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. This page has been viewed 237 times since then and 22 times this year. Last updated on April 21, 2025, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 18, 2024, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.