Near Valparaiso in Porter County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Jim Melton
Photographed by Daniel Barriball, February 21, 2026
1. Jim Melton Marker
Jim Melton
1938-2020
A true friend and dedicated supporter of the Railway Garden
Founding board member of Taltree and served for 17 years
You will be missed!
Erected by Taltree Arboretum & Gardens.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Horticulture & Forestry • Parks & Recreational Areas • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1997.
Location. 41° 26.693′ N, 87° 8.94′ W. Marker is near Valparaiso, Indiana, in Porter County. It can be reached from West 100 North west of Summerhill Drive, on the right when traveling east. This marker is located within the Railway Garden at Gabis Arboretum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 450 W 100 N, 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 walking distance of this marker: Small Town Life (here, next to this marker); Limestone Quarry (a few steps from this marker); A Changing Land (a few steps from this marker); Lincoln's Funeral Train (within shouting distance of this marker); City Center (within shouting distance of this marker); Logging
this page online
More about this marker. Taltree Arboretum was renamed Gabis Arboretum after it was acquired by Purdue University Northwest in 2018.
Regarding Jim Melton. This contributing correspondent was able to use online nonprofit tax records of Taltree Arboretum to verify that Jim Melton was on the board as late as 2014. Since this marker and other sources indicate that he was on the board for 17 years, one can infer that he joined the board in 1997, which was about the time that Taltree was organizing as a nonprofit.
Also see . . . Taltree Arboretum RWY. PBS Tracks Ahead This link is to an episode of the PBS show Tracks Ahead. The first 10 minutes are about the Railway Garden at Taltree. Jim Melton is one of several people interviewed. (Submitted on February 23, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana.)
Photographed by Daniel Barriball, February 21, 2026
2. Jim Melton Marker in context
Credits. This page was last revised on February 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 23, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. This page has been viewed 40 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 23, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
