Center Township in Valparaiso in Porter County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The American Factory Building
Photographed by Daniel Barriball, August 10, 2026
1. Journeyman Distillery Marker
National Register of Historic Places
by the United States Department of the Interior
Built in the heart of Valparaiso in the mid-1800s, this location served as a key industrial site along the Lincoln HighwayAmerica's first transcontinental roadduring a period of rapid national expansion. Originally home to a textile operation, this facility contributed to the manufacturing legacy that defined Northwest Indiana and supported the growth of early American infrastructure and industry.
From 2019 to 2023, Journeyman Distillery repurposed the long-vacant site, preserving its structural integrity and architectural character while adapting it for modern use. Today, the American Factory is home to a working distillery and brewery operations, on-site restaurants, and event spaces that support local employment, tourism, and community gatherings. Here, we distill whiskey and build on a tradition of makers that connects the past to the present.
This building remains a beacon of ingenuity, manufacturing, and American exceptionalismhonoring the workers and industries that shaped the region while continuing to serve the public in a new capacity. May the "American Factory Building" stand as a living, breathing time capsule of history and progress, inspiring future generations.
Old Wollen Mill c. 1866 & c. 1876
National Pin Company c. 1873
Michael Barry Carriage & Wagon Works c. 1886
DuLaney Clock Company c. 1892
Cosmo Buttermilk Soap Co. c. 1894
Chicago Mica Company c. 1900
Anderson Company c. 1961
Journeyman Distillery c. 2020
Erected by United States Department of the Interior, Journeyman Distillery.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1866.
Location. 41° 27.872′ N, 87° 3.981′ W.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Northwest Indiana and in the Calumet Region. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, on the Great Lakes, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in 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: The Lincoln Highway (approx. 0.3 miles away); Old Sac Trail (approx. 0.3 miles away); The story of Orville Redenbacher and Charlie Bowman (approx. 0.3 miles away); Almira Fifield, M.D. (approx. 0.4 miles away); Porter County (Indiana) Veterans
Photographed by Daniel Barriball, August 10, 2026
2. The American Factory Building Marker in context
The marker is the plaque to the right of the entrance to the Journeyman Distillery.
Regarding The American Factory Building. From the Statement of Significance section of the National Register of Historic Places application:
The Chicago Mica Co./Continental-Diamond Fibre Co./ANCO Factory is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion A, with local significance in the area of Industry. The property reflects events that have made significant contributions to the broad patterns of our history. The complex is associated with the broad pattern of twentieth century industry and factory development in Indiana and is associated with Valparaisos major employers during the period of significance. It is significant as an example of a twentieth century factory complex developed between the 1900s and 1950s as a regional production facility for three companies based elsewhere. The Chicago Mica Company, Continental-Diamond Fibre Company, and the Anderson Company (later known as Anco or ANCO) all operated multiple plants in different locations. This complex is significant at the local level for its association with manufacturing in Valparaiso and showcases the distributed and interconnected landscape of industry in smaller cities in Indiana during the twentieth century. The complex also embodies the distinctive characteristics of early-to-mid-twentieth century factory construction, including large expanses of industrial steel sash and exposed masonry, steel, and wood structural elements at the interior. The period of significance is circa 1906 to 1971, encompassing the primary evolution of the existing factory buildings.
Also see . . . Chicago Mica Co. / Continental Diamond Fibre Co. / ANCO Factory. Indiana State Historic Architectural and Archaeological Research Database (SHAARD) National Register of Historic Places application (Submitted on August 18, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on August 17, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. 2. submitted on August 18, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
