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

Almira Fifield, M.D.

1833 - 1863

Photographed by Lou Donkle, January 17, 2026

1. Almira Fifield, M.D. 1833 - 1863

Inscription.
Dr. Almira Fifield and her family settled in Valparaiso by 1842. At a young age, she devoted herself to serving others. She worked as a teacher but left for Boston in 1857 to attend the New England Female Medical College, an early medical school for women. She earned her degree in 1859, making her one of the first formally trained female physicians in Indiana.

Despite a need for physicians, female doctors were not recruited during the Civil War, so Dr. Fifield applied as a nurse for the 9th Indiana Infantry, her brother's unit. In 1862, the U.S. Sanitary Commission sent her to a Kentucky hospital. A surgeon recognized and used her medical skills in dressing wounds in a recovery ward. Fifield died while treating Union soldiers.

Erected 2025 by Indiana Historical Bureau, William G. Pomeroy Foundation, Porter County Museum, Porter County Library Genealogy Center, William Henry Harrison Chapter DAR, and the Fifield family.

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Education • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil • Women. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR),

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the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers, and the William G. Pomeroy Foundation series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1842.

Location. 41° 27.971′ N, 87° 3.59′ W. Memorial is in Valparaiso, Indiana, in Porter County. It is on Franklin Street north of Monroe Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 157 South Franklin Street, Valparaiso IN 46383, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial 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: Historical Society of Porter County Old Jail Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Porter County Memorial Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Porter County (Indiana) Veterans

Almira Fifield, M.D. side 2 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lou Donkle, January 17, 2026

2. Almira Fifield, M.D. side 2

(about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The story of Orville Redenbacher and Charlie Bowman (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of the First School House in Valparaiso 1837 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Corner of Washington and Jefferson Streets (approx. 0.2 miles away); Old Sac Trail (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Lincoln Highway (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Valparaiso.

Marker with historic jail on right and Porter County Museum on left. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lou Donkle, January 17, 2026

3. Marker with historic jail on right and Porter County Museum on left.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 28, 2026, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. This page has been viewed 52 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 28, 2026, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.