UPDATE A publication of the Marktown Preservation Society December 2006 Christmas In Marktown - 1953

80,000 Residents See Yule Display The Youngstown Sheet and Tube Office building. At the east end of Christmas Today Company's annual Christmas tree is the building was an illuminated church Needless to say, Christmas is not gone but its memory lingers on. and on the top of the building was a celebrated by industry today as it had For two full weeks the brightly il- cutout of reindeers pulling Santa in his been in the past. But then again, none luminated tree revolved in all its beauty sleigh. More than 2,500 lights were of the major companies appear to be to entertain probably 80,000 Calumet used for the exhibit. owned domestically. Youngstown district residents. More than 16,000 Every seven minutes the large Sheet & Tube and Inland Steel are both cars loaded with travelers stopped at tree made a complete revolution. As now Mittal Steel and that's a foreign the plant to see the tree and listen to it revolved Christmas carols filled the held company. the music. air with music. When many of us grew up, Stan- From December 19 through New There was a good crowd to see dard Oil would decorate a portion of Year's Day the tree was illuminated the tree every night it was illuminated. their refinery with Christmas lights and from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. And on the three And there has been much comment large white stars atop a particular unit days before Christmas - Dec. 22, 23 from many of the visitors on the on Indianapolis Boulevard. You could and 24, it also was illuminated from 6 beauty of the scene. see it from the South Shore station in to 8 A.M. The Yield - a publication of YS&T Co. Roxanna. It was great! But then again, This year's tree attracted the big- January 1954 Standard Oil is now BP or British Pe- gest group of spectators in troleum. Wouldn't it be nice the years the company has if corporations would once arranged this holiday fea- again celebrate the holidays ture. in a much more public way Made of 200 Trees today as they did those Standing 40 feet high, many years ago. Well, the tree was made from maybe next year they will 200 smaller Christmas begin the practice anew. trees. More trees were Merry Christmas to all and used in front of the Tin Mill to all a good night. visit us on line at www.marktown.org Restoring East Chicago’s Historic Past Lake County Interim Report Historic Sites and Structures Inventory The major impetus for a comprehensive in- ventory of Indiana’s cultural resources came from the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. The Act declared it the policy of the federal government to foster the preservation of our cultural resources in partnership with the states, local governments, and the private sector. In order to implement this policy, the Act created the National Register of His- toric Places, composed of buildings, sites, struc- tures, objects, and districts significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, and culture. It also established a partnership between the federal government and the states, whereby each state developed a state historic preservation pro- gram to be approved by the U.S. Secretary of Inte- rior. To gain approval, the governor of the state must appoint a State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) and a State Review Board must be appointed. One of the responsibilities of the SHPO is to conduct a comprehensive statewide survey of historic proper- ties and maintain inventories of such properties for the purpose of locating, identifying, and evaluating cultural resources. Another responsibility is to en- sure that historic properties are taken into consider- ation in planning and development through the envi- ronmental review process. In 1971, the Indiana State Legislature autho- rized creation of a state preservation program within the Department of Natural Resources, and the The interim report is designed to be utilized as a Department’s director was designated as the SHPO. working document by government agencies, local The first full-time staff was hired in 1973, and the organizations, and private citizens as the basis for comprehensive survey program began in earnest in a wide variety of projects. It was first published in 1975. In 1978, an initial five-county survey project 1996 and is scheduled for revision in the next few was completed by Historic Landmarks Foundation years. When it was first published 675 buildings in of Indiana utilizing federal grants-in-aid administered East Chicago were included in the report. Exactly by the Division of Historic Preservation and Archae- how many have been lost is unknown at this time. ology. An average of three counties has been inven- toried by the Foundation each year.

About Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana In 1960, alarmed by the loss of defining his- toric buildings in the capital city, a group of India- napolis civic leaders created Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana. The organization established by those volunteers now ranks as the largest pri- vate statewide preservation group in the United States, with an Indianapolis headquarters and nine regional offices staffed by professionals who help 15 Most Historic Struc- Hoosiers save and restore old buildings. The Calu- met Region Office in the Miller section of Gary serves tures & Districts in all of . East Chicago, Indiana

About This Report 1. Carnegie Library After four decades of razing entire sectors 2. Lake County Superior Court Building of East Chicago for redevelopment projects that did 3. Riley Bank Building not materialize, the decision was made to begin the 4. Washington Park Historic District process of celebrating our historic past through the 5. Block Stadium restoration and preservation of our architectural heri- 6. Euclid Avenue Chicago Three-Flats 7. Alder Street Classic Two-Flats tage. While there are more than 600 historic prop- 8. Main Street Historic District erties that merit our attention, we have been asked 9. St. George Serbian Orthodox Church to limit this first report to but fifteen properties. In 10. Wickey House doing so, we have identified five districts and ten 11. First Congregational Church individual structures as listed herein. 12. City Hall 13. Main Post Office 14. Inland Steel Office Building 15. Marktown Historic District

This list was complied by Paul A. Myers in cooperation with Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana's Calumet Region Office 563 South Lake Street Gary, Indiana 46407 (219) 938-2200 If you would like to learn more about historic preservation efforts in your community please contact HLIF at the above telephone number or Paul A. Myers at (219) 397-2239. Revisiting The Calumet Heritage Corridor... cago coupled with the 1937 Me- morial Day massacre at Republic Steel are major milestones in the history of American industry and labor. What about the Marktown & Pullman Districts? Both are included in the pro- posed National Heritage Area. Pullman was built as a social experiment in controlling the work force of the Pullman Palace Car Company. The Pullman Historic District, was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970 in rec- ognition of its significance as an industrial community, as well as its association with the 1894 rail- road strike. The Marktown Historic District, listed on the National Register in 1975, is an example of an early 20th century industrial-sponsored development. Today, it is com- pletely surrounded by industrial development, but is remarkably intact and still features a dense spatial arrangement of dwellings, yards and streets. Marktown was designed in What is the the region and Great Lakes ship- 1917 by Howard Van Doren Shaw, Calumet National Heritage Area? ping increased. In those energetic who was hired by Clayton Mark to The proposed Calumet Na- days, these steel plants were create a community to house tional Heritage Area wraps around models for the world and sur- workers in his Indiana Harbor the southwestern end of Lake rounding lakes and wetlands were manufacturing plant. The commu- Michigan, reaching from the Indi- altered, filled and contaminated nity layout and its houses reflect a ana Dunes National Lakeshore on without thought. European influence; the lots are the east to the Illinois and Michi- Once a wilderness of dunes, square, the roads narrow, and the gan Canal National Heritage Cor- lakes and marshes, the region still houses close to the street. Many ridor on the west. Including south- has the highest concentration of of the house are duplexes, which ern section of Chicago and ex- diverse natural environments of are two stories and connect on tending well into Indiana, the Calu- any region in the Great Lakes. It their rear elevations, facing their met Region is a premier example is, in fact, a globally significant side yards in opposite directions. of our country's urban and indus- ecosystem. It's developer, Mark Manufacturing trial growth over more than 100 In and around these areas of Company, originally owned Mark- years. With this growth have been natural richness, the legacy of the town. Marktown represents the dramatic impacts on the natural struggle of workingmen in America planned industrial community beauty and environment of a re- took place. The creation of Pull- movement of the late nineteenth gion where lake meets prairie and man and Marktown and the great and early twentieth centuries and woodlands. steel works on the lakefront, the is reflective of the social aware- Heavy industries grew in the 1894 Pullman workers' strike and ness programs spawned by the lake 1800s as railroads came into the early strikes here in East Chi- effects of the industrial revolution. The proposed Calumet National Heritage Area is parrallel in concept to the Marquette Plan. Together, these two outstanding visions could help to resolve the quality of life issues of today. ...An Opportunity For All In The Calumet Region! National Heritage Areas logical viability. the community. While there is Protection and public enjoy- Today, the Calumet Region widespread public interest in pre- ment of natural, cultural and rec- exists as a unique mosaic of glo- serving the region's important reational resources in the Calu- bally rare natural communities and natural and cultural values, formal met Region would be possible significant historic features in jux- designation of this area is compro- through National Heritage Area taposition with heavy industry. mised by fragmentation among designation. Designation would Heritage area designation would State and local governments, as enable national recognition of the afford the rare opportunity to revi- well as the tendency for special region as an example of America's talize an industrialized region and interest groups to focus on a spe- industrial prominence in the 20th protect natural communities dem- cific resource or geographic area. century, the corresponding growth onstrating benefits to both the built Editor's Note and development of its labor move- and natural environment. Interpre- The proposed Calumet Na- ment, and the extensive environ- tive and recreational programs tional Heritage Area, if granted fed- mental modifications to accom- could be funded through grants eral approval, could increase the modate industrialization. For ex- serving the local population. Pub- quality of life for not only the resi- ample, less than .001 percent re- lic amenities, facilities, and trans- dents of the Marktown Historic Dis- main of the original tallgrass prai- portation systems are abundant in trict, but more importantly that of rie in Illinois. These remnants por- the region, because of its urban- all of the residents the Calumet tray the extent of the regional modi- ization. Region. Approval could mean fication since European settle- The funding for the future and an in- ment, wile containing the genetic could facilitate coordination and creased reinvestment in our material necessary for future eco- provide technical assistance to unique heritage.

Why is the Marktown Historic District ALWAYS mentioned in plans such as this? Because Marktown is an important part of our historic past and merits restoration. Marktown Yards: Appropriate Land Use Is The Key East Chicago Retools For Peacetime Expansion just about ready for construction is the even newer Prairie Park neigh- borhood in Indiana Harbor. Larger, more modern brick faced homes with attached and detached garages will fill this several hundred acre site with the streets laid out in a semi-serpen- tine fashion. The neighborhood is in the shadow of St. Catherine Hospital, a leading medical facility in Lake County. The hospital has recently announced an expansion of their present facility and had acquired ad- jacent, previously undeveloped lands which will be used for much needed parking. The war is over. We continue to The Indiana Theater on Michigan Soon to be removed from Chi- mourn the hundreds of young men Avenue was the starting point for cago Avenue will be the South Shore and women from this great city who many a rally as East Chicago citizens tracks. A new station is planned for made the ultimate sacrifice in the supported the effort with the pur- Indianapolis Boulevard, just north of name of freedom for all. We also re- chase of war bonds. the Roxanna neighborhood. The el- joice in the return of the thousands But it is time to speak of the fu- evated rails will permit the traffic to of servicemen and women who de- ture. It is time to move forward and flow unincumbered as the passengers fended this great nation in a time of retool industry, commerce and gov- board and detrain on the upper level. war and who returned home to their ernment. The troops are returning As for city government, a new loved ones safe and sound. home to East Chicago and with this water filtration plant is being planned It is time to return to the busi- in mind, the site of the old Roxanna for the lake front. The new facility ness of government and commerce. Oil Company on the southern will provide 32,000,000 gallons of Our success in the war would not boarder of East Chicago is now water per day. have been possible with just the ser- home to the Roxanna neighborhood, Banking too is big business as vice of those in the military. Across a neighborhood of new fashionable our own First National Bank now this great nation and most importantly and affordable homes for families for has three locations in our great city. in East Chicago manufacturing returning veterans. East Chicago is the place to be in reached new heights. The steel in- Now in the planning phase and NW Indiana! dustry and other war dedicated manufacturing firms found that women were as eager and able to man the industrial positions as their fathers and husbands had once done. If Rosie the Riveter was not from East Chicago we would be surprised. The war effort was also sup- ported at home with War Bond Ral- lies in virtually every city and town. NOTE: This article/advertisement first appeared in the 100th Anniversary of The Times in 2006. It is the second part of a three part series of articles, each of which represents a decade in East Chicago's past or future. This particular article represents the 1950s. All three articles were written by Marktowner Paul A. Myers and were sponsored by the City of East Chicago, George Pabey, Mayor. Spruce Avenue Project To Be Completed In 2007 After a year of planning clear back in 1989 and workers noted that their current priority is their fiber 16 years of progress it looks like the completion of optic system and that the only overtime hours that Spruce Avenue will not take place until spring of 2007. are offered are on those projects. The primary reason for the delay is going to end up So, what's next? If they do not complete the work being inclement weather and the inability to pour the in time to remove the telephone poles from the side- concrete in the areas now occupied by the wooden walks on Spruce Avenue this winter, the general con- telephone poles along Spruce Avenue. tractor will have to back fill around all of the poles Weather would not have been a problem and and bring the subsoil up to sidewalk and curb grade. the job would have been completed more than a Early next spring, once the weather permits, the month ago had a litany of problems had not beset wooden telephone poles would be removed, the ar- the project throughout the eas around them dug summer. back out and the con- That aside, it appears crete curbs and side- that, at the writing of this walks would be finished. article, SBC (the tele- Then again, maybe phone company) did not the weather will stay begin their work as warm until the end of readily as the other two December and in Janu- utility companies, nor did ary we can print a retrac- they send sufficient tion. RIGHT!!!! crews or equipment to I guess we will all Marktown to make this have to wait another happen in a more timely month to see if that will fashion. happen or not. Until then One of their own a Merry Christmas to all! Marktown Neighborhood Meetings Begin Javier Madrigal called, All were in agreement what is hoped to be the first that the only way to resolve in a series of meeting of the majority of the prob- Marktown residents on Fri- lems is to get more people day, November 17th. As he involved in the neighbor- explained, "If we are going hood. He said he wants to to make a positive differ- see the best voter turn out ence in this community ever for the primary elec- we need to work together tion next year and that he and all pitch in to make will be going door to door things happen." While to make sure that every- there was no official one is registered to vote. agenda or officers for the The next meeting will newly formed group, a be a pot luck dinner at the number of topics were dis- Marktown Community Cen- cussed ranging from the ter in January 2007. We need to have a greater po- hope that everyone will lice presence in Marktown come out and help make a to plans to beautify the positive difference in OUR community next spring. neighborhood.

Marktown Update is published each month by the Marktown Marktown web page at www.marktown.org. Anyone wishing to Preservation Society, Inc. (MPS) from their office at the resi- submit articles for consideration in future issues should send them dence of Paul A. Myers. It distributed free of charge to all of the to Paul A. Myers, 405 Prospect Street, East Chicago Indiana 46312 residents of Marktown. It is also distributed to more than 400 non or via email at [email protected]. The contents of this residents via the U.S. Mail. An index to all of the past issues, as well newsletter are protected under copyright. Reprinting articles or photos as PDF electronic copies of each issue are available at the official is prohibited without the express consent of the MPS.