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 . . . — — Map (db m292623) HM WM
This property has been placed on the
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 . . . — — Map (db m308610) HM
The Banta School, built in five months at a cost of $80,000, held its first classes on September 2, 1924. Its architectural style, Collegiate Gothic, was widely used in the U.S. in the early 20th century for university and school buildings to . . . — — Map (db m254379) HM
Bold vision and astonishing effort built America's Transcontinental Railroad—the first rail line in the world to cross a continent. The railroad united the young nation, opening up the vast interior and bringing together people from around the . . . — — Map (db m294150) HM
Byron Smith III (1948-2024) served the Valpo Parks Department with unwavering dedication for more than 40 years as a softball umpire. His calm yet firm officiating style and dry sense of humor were appreciated by players and fellow umpires alike . . . — — Map (db m299127) HM
The Triangle, as it is known today, looks considerably different than it did in the early 1900's. At that time, the Triangle was decorated with a large fountain and would be bustling with people waiting for the interurban. The Valparaiso & . . . — — Map (db m254856) HM
Railroads brought thousands of immigrants into America's heartland, eager to claim land and start new lives. They quickly plowed the prairie into farms. The buffalo disappeared and Native American lives changed forever.
A Door and a Window . . . — — Map (db m294161) HM
The Chapel of the Resurrection
Dedicated 1959
Charles E. Stade, Architect
has been placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior — — Map (db m294501) HM
Where railroads and waterways met, people and industries came together in sprawling, vibrant cities. Opportunities were endless, as lumber, livestock, grain, steel and people moved in and out, connecting with markets across the country. . . . — — Map (db m294164) HM
For the first time in history, railroads played a major role in warfare. Trains moved troops and supplies quickly and fed the industries of both North and South. As a result, rail lines became vital targets for attack and defense.
Built For . . . — — Map (db m294172) HM
Coal fueled America's growth after 1890, warming homes and stoking steam-powered factories, ships and locomotives. Railroads made large-scale coal mining possible. But railroads also depended on coal—as fuel and for the manufacture of engines, . . . — — Map (db m294166) HM
Welcome to Portersville, established in 1836. One year later, in 1837, Portersville became Valparaiso, the current county seat of Porter County. You are standing approximately in the middle of the original plat of 1836.
The Central District . . . — — Map (db m254988) HM
You are standing amidst the grounds of the original campus of Valparaiso University (founded in 1859 as the Valparaiso Male and Female College—one of the first coeducational colleges in the U.S.). This map shows "old campus" as it existed circa . . . — — Map (db m294448) HM
To the glory of God and in recognition of the faith and vision of the men and women who organized the Lutheran University Association in 1925 to foster Christian higher education at Valparaiso University — — Map (db m294477) HM
Immanuel Lutheran Church was founded in 1864 and built its first church at Academy and Chestnut in 1886. In 1881 the congregation purchased property at Washington and Institute and built a small church which served them ten years. In 1891 the . . . — — Map (db m292621) HM
In 1997, Dug Ketterman was involved in an auto-accident, which resulted in the loss of one of his close friends, Ray "Flounder" Wampler. The months following the accident, Dug was able to help plan, fundraise and design the first Flounder . . . — — Map (db m254606) HM
Did you know beautiful Ogden Gardens is named after a beloved park employee, Otto Ogden?
In 1958, Otto Ogden was hired as the first park district gardener. Ogden meticulously transformed the flower garden at Harrison and Campbell, and by . . . — — Map (db m270765) HM
In memory of
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! — — Map (db m294113) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m294084) HM
"Stop and smell the roses and don't sweat the small stuff" - Karl Bapst
Karl Bapst "Rosenut" was a master rosarian, advanced master gardener, Duneland Rose Society member, master composter, and Taltree . . . — — Map (db m294091) HM
In memory
of
Frederick Kirchhoff
A man of vision and foresight who willed this area to the city of Valparaiso as a public park in 1918 — — Map (db m202621) HM
A small pocket of hills in Indiana yields some of the most beautiful and durable architectural limestone in the United
States. Railroads helped build far-reaching markets; and entrepreneurs, craftsmen and workers met in prosperous quarry towns. . . . — — Map (db m294163) HM
The Lincoln Highway was the first “Coast to Coast” road covering 3,389 miles across the USA. It was the dream of Hoosier Carl G. Fisher.
In 1913. The Lincoln Highway Association (LHA) announced that . . . — — Map (db m244097) HM
President Abraham Lincoln met an assassin's bullet on April 14, 1865. He made his final journey by train, as his remains were carried more than 1,600 miles from Washington, D.C. to Springfield, Illinois, for burial. Mourners lined the train's . . . — — Map (db m294157) HM
Railroads devoured wood—for bridges, cars, fuel and cross-ties. They also carried lumber to growing markets nation-wide. Thousands of people worked in the logging business, which cut vast acres of northern forests in just 50 years.
Rivers To . . . — — Map (db m294165) HM
This tablet is dedicated to the Michael O'Connor family, one of the pioneer settlers in Porter County.
Michael O'Connor came from Ireland in 1845. In 1850 he acquired the ground now known as Forest Park and operated it as a farm. In 1852 he . . . — — Map (db m270847) HM
This stone sat above pillars at the main entrance to the Music Hall, constructed in 1906 on the site of the original, and intentionally temporary, building of the Valparaiso Male and Female College. It is all that remains from a devastating fire in . . . — — Map (db m294430) HM
Dedicated to our servicemen who have served their country with honor.
Paul Mayer-Navy Mothers Club
Valparaiso Chapter No. 650
1972 — — Map (db m270906) WM
Dedicated to the memory of Porter County’s Soldiers and Sailors of all American Wars.
During Porter County’s Centennial 1936.
Rededicated to the memory of Porter County’s Veterans of All American Wars — — Map (db m200361) WM
As Indiana moved toward statehood and eastern settlers migrated westward they encountered a territory included in the Northwest Ordinance, an area that today comprises the upper Midwest. The eastern portion of this region was wooded with savanna . . . — — Map (db m294092) HM
How did Porter County come to own this beautiful and historic park? It all began back in 1934, when Colonel Robert Heffron Murray and his wife, Sue, bought 80 acres here and started Sunset Hill Farm. Within a year, they had 1000 chickens and sold . . . — — Map (db m256395) HM
Ordinary people saw their lives dramatically changed by the railroads. The small town Depot was the "gateway to the world." Trains brought news from faraway places, and farmers found growing markets for their crops.
To Market, To Market . . . — — Map (db m294162) HM
In the 1960s, the founders and partners of Chester, Inc., Charlie Bowman and Orville Redenbacher, developed and produced hybrid popcorn seed under the name Red Bow Popcorn (Red for Redenbacher and Bow for Bowman).
As one of the largest . . . — — Map (db m315735) HM
This tablet is erected in recognition of two of Valparaiso's forward-looking and community minded citizens.
In 1921 the real estate company of which William Schleman was president bought the farm land which is now Forest Park. Through his . . . — — Map (db m270740) HM
The Victory Bell and the Victory Tower were dedicated October 27, 1956, to the varsity lettermen who have fostered the spirit of victory at Valparaiso.
The Victory Bell is the gift of Messiah Lutheran Church of Chicago.
The . . . — — Map (db m294554) HM
Before 1912 Railroads dominated long distance transportation. Local roads were dust and mud. There was little help from the government so owners of the newly arrived autos rose to the challenge.
1912 Small town businessmen from South . . . — — Map (db m315248) HM
