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:
- Gary Public Library and Cultural Center (220 W 5th Ave, Gary, IN 46402) – Architecturally significant building with great resources.
- Pullman National Monument (11141 S Cottage Grove Ave, Chicago, IL 60628) – Historic site just outside Gary.
- Marquette Park (6800 N Grand Blvd, Gary, IN 46403) – Popular lakeshore park.
- South Shore Line (901 E. 35th Ave, Gary, IN 46409) – Historic electric commuter rail line with a station in Gary.
- Gary City Hall (401 Broadway, Gary, IN 46402)
- Gary, Indiana Facebook page
- Gary SouthShore RailCats (501 W. 35th Ave., Gary, IN 46408)
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:
- Gary Community School Corporation (900 Gerry St, Gary, IN 46406)
- The School City of Hammond (41 Williams St, Hammond, IN 46320)
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:
- Gary Chamber of Commerce
- Gary Public Transportation Corporation (2101 W 35th Ave, Gary, IN 46408)
- Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District
- Gary Public Library (220 W 5th Ave, Gary, IN 46402)
- Gary Parks & Recreation
- Gary Area Habitat for Humanity
- Gary Police Department
- Gary Fire Department