Gary in Lake County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Tamarack Hall
Photographed by Daniel Barriball, February 14, 2026
1. Tamarack Hall Marker
In 1955, the city of Gary donated land for the site of a new Indiana University campus, the Gary Extension Center. The first building, Gary Main, opened in 1959. The Indiana limestone structure housed all campus facilities: classrooms, science labs, administrative and faculty offices, a library, a bookstore, lounges, a lobby for exhibits, and a 600-seat auditorium. Serving as a cultural catalyst, Gary Main established the first regional campus theater program in 1961. It became a cultural hub for the region, sponsoring many community/campus theater productions, art exhibits, and other performances. A large addition was completed in 1966. Upon the inauguration of the IU regional campus system in 1968, the Gary Extension Center became Indiana University Northwest. In 1977, Gary Main was renamed Tamarack Hall, after a tree species common in the region. Devastated by a flood in 2008, it never reopened and was demolished in 2012.
Erected 2019 by Indiana University Northwest.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1955.
Location. 41° 33.416′ N,
this page online
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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Indiana University Northwest (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gary Roosevelt High School (approx. 1.2 miles away); In Memory Of All American Veterans (approx. 1.2 miles away); Michael Jackson Place of Birth (approx. 1.4 miles
Photographed by Daniel Barriball, February 14, 2026
2. Tamarack Hall Marker in context
The grassy area behind the marker was the location of Tamarack Hall.
Also see . . .
1. IU Northwest Oral History Project Part 1. Voices From the IU Bicentennial Contains a brief history and historical photos of the Indiana University Northwest campus, including photos of the Gary Main/Tamarack Hall building.
Enrollment continued to rise over the years, attracting many nontraditional, working-class, and culturally diverse students. The increased interest in higher education ultimately led to the IU Gary Centers move to Glen Park in the spring of 1959, which is where IU Northwest still remains today.(Submitted on February 16, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana.)
2. ~IUN~ A Brief History of IU Northwest. A video made on the 60th anniversary of Indiana University Northwest. It contains images of Tamarack Hall as well as telling the story of its rise and demise. (Submitted on February 16, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana.)
3. Indiana University Northwest dedicates a historical marker celebrating Tamarack Hall. Greatnews.life Article describing the dedication of this historical marker, including photos of the dedication ceremony.
For half a century, Tamarack Hall was truly the cornerstone of IU Northwest, said William J. Lowe, Chancellor of Indiana University Northwest. Its where the life and energy of the campus was centered. It was the only building for the campus first ten years.(Submitted on February 16, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 16, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. This page has been viewed 34 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 16, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
