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

From Freight Cars to Outlet Stores

Photographed by Daniel Barriball, May 23, 2025

1. From Freight Cars to Outlet Stores Marker

Inscription.
Imagine it's the late 1800s. Instead of the nearby outlet mall, you see the largest industrialized plant east of the Mississippi River.

The Haskell & Barker Car Company occupied this area from 1855 to 1922. The freight car factory was run by John H. Barker, who lived in the Barker Mansion.

In 1922, the Pullman Company acquired the car works and operations continued until 1970 when the company closed the facility. It had been in operation for 115 years.

Erected by The Barker Mansion.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1855.

Location. 41° 42.994′ N, 86° 54.28′ W. Marker is in Michigan City, Indiana, in LaPorte County. It is in Michigan Township. It is at the intersection of Wabash Street and West 5th Street, on the right when traveling north on Wabash Street. The marker is located on the northeast corner of the intersection in front of the Lakeshore Café. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 444 Wabash St, Michigan City IN 46360, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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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: Haskell & Barker Historic District (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Barker Mansion (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Log Cabin in Michigan City (approx. 0.2 miles away); Barker Civic Center (approx. 0.2 miles away); Michigan Road (approx. 0.2 miles away); Michigan City Civil War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Lincoln Funeral Train (approx. ¼ mile away); Charles R. Westcott (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Michigan City.

More about this marker. Left photo caption: Haskell Barker Car Co., Showing City in Rear, Michigan City, Ind.

From Freight Cars to Outlet Stores Marker in context image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Daniel Barriball, May 23, 2025

2. From Freight Cars to Outlet Stores Marker in context

Lighthouse Outlet Mall, seen across Wabash Street from the marker, was the location of the Haskell & Barker freight car factory.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 23, 2025, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. This page has been viewed 129 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 23, 2025, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.