Gary

by The Linguist

Gary, Indiana

With a population of 75,282 as of the 2010 census, Gary is a city located in Lake County, Indiana. Founded in 1906 by the United States Steel Corporation, Gary was once a booming steel town that attracted thousands of immigrants in search of work. While the city has faced economic challenges in recent decades with the decline of the domestic steel industry, Gary still offers many unique attractions and a rich cultural heritage.

History

The city of Gary was founded in 1906 by the United States Steel Corporation. It was named after lawyer Elbert Henry Gary, who was one of the founders of U.S. Steel. Gary was built on what was then the world’s largest integrated steel mill and quickly became a magnet for European immigrants looking for work. During the 1950s, Gary was at its peak population of around 178,000 residents. However, Gary fell into decline in the 1960s as the steel industry contracted and businesses and residents moved to the suburbs. The city has struggled economically in recent decades but remains proud of its heritage.

Economy and Major Employers

Gary still relies heavily on the steel industry, including:

  • U.S. Steel – Gary Works (1 Broadway, Gary, IN 46402, Phone: (800) 931-9768) – Steel mill and largest employer
  • Methodist Hospitals Northlake Campus (600 Grant St, Gary, IN 46402, Phone: (219) 886-4000) – Healthcare
  • Majestic Star Casino (1 Buffington Harbor Drive, Gary, IN 46406, Phone: (877) 777-7777) – Casino

Other major industries include education, healthcare, and retail. The city government is also a large employer.

Attractions and Landmarks

Despite the economic challenges, Gary offers a number of unique attractions for visitors:

Here are some landmarks with GPS coordinates:

  • Gary City Methodist Church (540 Washington St, Gary, IN 46402) – 41.5910983, -87.3462328
  • Gary Public Library (220 W 5th Ave, Gary, IN 46402) – 41.595556, -87.328333
  • U.S. Steel Yard Baseball Stadium (501 W 35th Ave, Gary, IN 46408) – 41.617165, -87.390932

County and School District Information

Gary is located in Lake County, Indiana. The county government website can be found here (2293 N. Main Street, Crown Point, IN 46307, Phone: (219) 755-3000).

Public education in Gary is provided by two school districts:

There are also a number of charter and private schools in the Gary area.

Additional Local Resources

Here are some other useful resources for residents and visitors to Gary: