Near Valparaiso in Porter County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Joseph E. Meyer Memorial Pavilion
Photographed by Daniel Barriball, February 21, 2026
1. The Joseph E. Meyer Memorial Pavilion Marker
Through the contribution of this Pavilion to Taltree Arboretum & Gardens the family of Joseph E. Meyer honors his memory and the lifetime of scientific contributions he made to the study of botanicals and herbs.
Joseph E. Meyer was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin on September 5, 1878. He learned the printing trade during his teen years at St. Aemilian Orphan Asylum in Milwaukee. During this time he became interested in herbs and botanicals. Mr. Meyer moved to Hammond, Indiana in 1908 to work as a printer for the Lake County Times.
In 1910, Mr. Meyer founded the Indiana Botanic Gardens of Hammond and established the Calumet State Bank, now called Bank Calumet, in 1933.
He authored "The Sealed Book" (1909), "The Herbalist" (1918), "Old Tamarack's Collection" (1941), and "The Old Herb Doctor" (1941).
Joseph E. Meyer, the self-educated botanist and self-made businessman died on March 9, 1950.
Erected 2002 by the family of Joseph E. Meyer and Taltree Arboretum & Gardens.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine. A significant historical date for this entry is September 5, 1878.
Location. 41° 26.704′ N, 87° 9.27′ W. Marker is near Valparaiso
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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 walking distance of this marker: Karl Bapst Memorial Rose Garden (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Prairie (approx. Ό mile away); Coal Mine (approx. Ό mile away); Building the Railroad (approx. Ό mile away); Civil War (approx. Ό mile away); Logging (approx. Ό mile away); Lincoln's Funeral Train (approx. Ό mile away); City Center (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Valparaiso.
More about this marker. Taltree Arboretum was renamed Gabis Arboretum after it was acquired by Purdue University Northwest in 2018.
Also see . . . The History of Meyer's Castle. Meyer's Castle A brief biography and several photos of Meyer and his books from the website of his home in Dyer, which has been preserved as a historic landmark.
Meyer not only supplied large pharmaceutical firms with drug-grade botanicals, he made up and packaged medical, culinary, and magical herbs for retail sales through his mail order catalogues and yearly almanacs. Many of the plants were raised in Indiana,(Submitted on February 22, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana.)but he also travelled the world to connect with growers in tropical and Mediterranean climates, and was a major importer of raw botanicals. The Indiana Botanic Garden catalogues and almanacs were illustrated with his own artwork, both line-art and water colours, and he wrote extensively about the folkloric customs employed by herbalists from many cultures. The articles and illustrations that he produced for the yearly catalogues were eventually collected into books, among which the most popular was titled The Herbalist and Herb Doctor.Photographed by Daniel Barriball, February 21, 20262. The Joseph E. Meyer Memorial Pavilion Marker in context
Credits. This page was last revised on February 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 22, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. This page has been viewed 45 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 22, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
