Of Wooden Ships and Iron Men Bbyy Wwilliamilliam Hhalliaralliar Stroll Along the Shores of Lake Michigan on Is a Saga That Spans Many Lifetimes
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THE TM 911 Franklin Street Weekly Newspaper Michigan City, IN 46360 Volume 33, Number 26 Thursday, July 6, 2017 Of Wooden Ships and Iron Men bbyy WWilliamilliam HHalliaralliar stroll along the shores of Lake Michigan on is a saga that spans many lifetimes. It includes feats a summer’s evening can conjure so many of engineering, stories of daring rescue in the surf, delightful thoughts and memories. Take a of political wrangling and compromise between in- walk along the lake in Washington Park dustry and nature, and an ever-changing landscape Aand consider what a visage the fabled body of water shaped by the wind, waves and westward rotation would present if viewed over the debris of a dump- of the lake’s waters as the earth spins on its axis. ing ground. Michigan City’s rich history has been recorded That might very well have been the fate of our over the years by the many who lived here, raised shores had it not been for the foresight of a man families and loved their city. You can tell a city is of the sea who came from his own country across well-loved by the number of those who have record- the ocean, landed in Michigan City and eventually ed its colorful stories. called our lakefront home. This account is of a man, a crusty old salt who The story of Michigan City’s lakefront and harbor Continued on Page 2 The Beacher’s Paul Kemiel captured this dynamite aerial image of Heisman Harbor. THE Page 2 July 6, 2017 THE 911 Franklin Street • Michigan City, IN 46360 219/879-0088 • FAX 219/879-8070 In Case Of Emergency, Dial e-mail: News/Articles - [email protected] email: Classifieds - [email protected] http://www.thebeacher.com/ PRINTED WITH Published and Printed by TM Trademark of American Soybean Association THE BEACHER BUSINESS PRINTERS Delivered weekly, free of charge to Birch Tree Farms, Duneland Beach, Grand Beach, Hidden 911 Shores, Long Beach, Michiana Shores, Michiana MI and Shoreland Hills. The Beacher is also delivered to public places in Michigan City, New Buffalo, LaPorte and Sheridan Beach. the ports of the world. Chicago began to grow and Of Wooden Ships… Continued from Page 1 in 1833 was incorporated into a town and in 1837 came to Michigan City and raised his family here. as a city when the population grew to 4,000 souls. For the love of ships, the great lake he adopted as By 1854, the city was considered the world’s largest his own and his family, he struggled against nature grain port. and political powers to save the harbor that became Meanwhile, Indiana was growing and making his home for future generations. It also is the story plans of its own for a port that would take its prod- of political battles, and even the legacy of a little girl ucts to world markets. who was the fi rst, and perhaps only, ever born on The harbor at the mouth of Trail Creek was fi rst the waters of Trail creek. surveyed in 1828 by a company sent out by the This is the story of Henry Heisman and how our state at a time when roads were poor or non-exis- harbor got its name. tent, and railroads were an invention of the future. The tale begins on July 4, 1837, as the port at The state needed an outlet for its rich resources. As the mouth of Trail Creek was offi cially opened with far as shipping was concerned, Indiana was land- the arrival of the lumber schooner Sea Serpent. The locked except for a strip along its northwest border, creek’s mouth was blocked by a sand bar created a border set 10 miles north of the southernmost tip by alluvial deposits, wind and wave action over the lake’s surface. On the day the Sea Serpent arrived, the depth of the harbor was so reduced, the ship had to be pulled over the sandbar by hand using ropes from shore. At that time, the federal government wanted to create a port on the southern shore of Lake Michi- gan, and Trail Creek became a logical choice for that port. To the west, Chicago also became a con- tender for those same funds, and a feud erupted, the outcome of which would decide which city on Lake Heisman Harbor remains a vibrant element of Michigan City’s lakefront. Michigan’s southern shore would become the home Photos by Paul Kemiel of a great, deep water sea port. In 1780, Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, son of a French trader and slave girl, built a farm at the mouth of what would be- come the Chicago River, named for the onions that grew wild on its sandy banks. In 1803, the United States built Fort Dear- born on the south bank of the river. The fort was destroyed by an Indian raid in 1812, but was rebuilt in 1816. Settlers began to move into the area to begin farming the rich prairie soil. In 1830, a city was laid out and lots sold to fi nance the Il- linois and Michigan canal that provided a connection for ship- ping between Chicago, St. Lou- is, New Orleans and ultimately THE July 6, 2017 Page 3 of Lake Michigan that included the future site of Michigan City. In 1830, Maj. Isaac C. Elston purchased land at the mouth of Trail Creek for $1.25 an acre — sight NOVAK TEAM unseen. The land was divided into 206 lots, and a REALTY EXPERTS ® town was planned with a park and market place. In BEACH•TOWN•COUNTRY 1832, Michigan City was selected as the terminus of Debbie Novak Randy Novak the Michigan Road, Indiana’s fi rst “superhighway” Broker Associate Broker Associate that ran from Madison through Indianapolis to 219-877-7611 – Cell 219-877-7069 – Cell [email protected] [email protected] Michigan City on the lakeshore. This allowed easier Multi-Million Dollar Producer access for farmers to the lakefront port where goods Licensed in IN and MI could be shipped to market. GRI, ACP, Epro, ABR, CRS In 1833, the fi rst log cabin was constructed in 2948 MOUNT CLAIRE WAY, LONG BEACH Elston’s grid, and the little town of Michigan City RARE FIND and PRICED TO SELL began to grow. Thus, the port at Chicago and the — Just a few blocks to the BEACH harbor at the mouth of Trail Creek became the two $439,000 from this charming vintage home with a carriage house, both with contenders for federal money needed to create a UPDATED INTERIORS and on world-class deep water port. three lots totaling over an acre! After a long struggle and much political haggling, Main house’s first level has arched doorways, 9 ft. ceilings, Michigan City lost that battle and Chicago became hardwood/ceramic floors, living the recipient of the sought-after federal funds, room with fireplace, large family which left the Trail Creek harbor in the hands of room, custom kitchen with granite countertops, dining room and half-bath. Upstairs has 4 bedrooms with hardwood floors and two local politicians, merchants and business people. bathrooms. The finished basement offers more living space, with a Lumber and grain shipping business continued to rec room, bar, additional room, bathroom and laundry. Over the 2-car fl ourish, and deep-hulled boats continued to use garage, you will find a beautifully finished carriage house with vaulted ceilings, living room with a gas fireplace and custom bookcases, the harbor. A light to guide boats to the safety of its kitchen, laundry room, 1 bedroom, 1 bath and a large deck. sheltering waters was installed in 1837 and a more permanent lighthouse built in 1858. 2925 ROSLYN TRAIL, LONG BEACH A MUST SEE! This well- maintained home has some nice $299,000 updates and is only a few blocks to the beach. Lots of room, with 4 bedrooms and 3 baths. Main bedroom has bath with shower and private deck. Living room has a fireplace, 2 sets of sliders bringing in lots of light, with its own deck. Dining room, family room and an eat-in kitchen with island. From inside this home and in the yard, it offers privacy and views of trees and foliage. Fenced yard, heated garage. This home is in great condition! 502 BIRCH TREE LANE MAINTENANCE FREE LIVING IN THIS UPDATED AND SPACIOUS $109,750 2-bedroom upper unit located close to the parking and pool area. This undated photo shows a Miss Indiana boat in Heisman Harbor. The unit has new carpet installed. The association fee includes your The winds, waves and rotation of water on the heating and cooking gas, trash, water, grass, snow removal and lake continued to push sand into the mouth of the all of the pool maintenance. Main creek. By 1864, the harbor was in dire need of im- bedroom has a walk-in closet. provements that would allow shipping to continue Kitchen has new stainless-steel appliances. Other upgrades include bath, newer furnace, washer and dryer. Enjoy relaxing on the spacious out of Michigan City Harbor. A failed attempt was deck overlooking the beautiful and well-manicured common area made by a group of businessmen to raise the funds to make needed improvements. In 1867, the harbor was dredged for the fi rst time, allowing it to become a home for heavily laden 219-874-2121 – Office lumber and grain-carrying ships. Finally, Michigan City had a port that could serve Indiana’s growing markets.