Michigan City, Indiana
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| City of Michigan City | |
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| Coordinates: 41°42′34″N 86°53′13″W / 41.70944°N 86.88694°W | |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| State | Indiana |
| County | LaPorte |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | Chuck Oberlie (D) |
| Area | |
| - Total | 23.1 sq mi (60.0 area_land_km2 = 50.8 km2) |
| - Land | 19.6 sq mi (50.8 km2) |
| - Water | 3.5 sq mi (9.1 km2) |
| Elevation | 627 ft (191 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Total | 32,900 |
| - Density | 1,678.6/sq mi (648.1/km2) |
| Time zone | CST (UTC-6) |
| - Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP codes | 46360-46361 |
| Area code(s) | 219 |
| FIPS code | 18-48798[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0439078[2] |
| Website | http://www.emichigancity.com |
Michigan City is a city in LaPorte County, Indiana, USA. It is one of two principal cities of and is included in the Michigan City-La Porte, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Chicago-Naperville-Michigan City Combined Statistical Area.It is also part of an area known to locals as Michiana. It is approximately 50 miles east of Chicago and 40 miles west of South Bend. The population was 32,900 at the 2000 census.
Michigan City is noted for both its proximity to the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and for its bordering Lake Michigan; because of this, Michigan City receives a fair amount of tourism during the summer months, especially by residents of Chicago and of nearby areas of Indiana.
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[edit] Geography
Michigan City is located at 41°42′34″N 86°53′13″W / 41.70944°N 86.88694°W (41.709389, -86.886928).[3]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 59.9 km² (23.1 mi²). 50.8 km² (19.6 mi²) of it is land and 9.1 km² (3.5 mi²) of it (15.22%) is water.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 32,900 people, 12,550 households, and 7,906 families residing in the city. The population density was 648.1/km² (1,678.6/mi²). There were 14,221 housing units at an average density of 280.1/km² (725.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 69.45% White, 26.31% African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.10% from other races, and 2.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.15% of the population.
There were 12,550 households out of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.0% were married couples living together, 18.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were non-families. 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.0% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 101.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,732, and the median income for a family was $39,520. Males had a median income of $32,194 versus $23,125 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,995. About 10.4% of families and 13.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.2% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] History
Michigan City's origins date to 1830, when the land for the city was first purchased by Isaac C. Elston.
The city became incorporated in 1836, by which point Michigan City had 1500 residents, along with a post office, a newspaper, a church, and a commercial district.
[edit] Points of interest
On clear days it is possible to see the Chicago skyline across Lake Michigan. In 1996 Mayor Sheila Brillson introduced a new logo for Michigan City, which featured the Chicago Skyline. Many residents rebelled at this proposal, so the official logo was changed.
Michigan City Area Schools, the city's public school system, includes one high school (Michigan City High School), three middle schools, and nine elementary schools. Michigan City also has three parochial high schools - Marquette, La Lumiere, and Duneland Lutheran. There are several parochial elementary schools in the city, including St. Paul Lutheran School, St. Stanislaus Kostka School, Queen Of All Saints, and Notre Dame Catholic School. At one time Michigan City had two public high schools, M.C. Elston High School (Red Devils)(Elston is now the name of one of the middle schools located in the city and is located at the former Elston High School), and M.C. Rogers High School (Raiders). The two schools combined after the 1994-1995 school year and now constitute the present day Michigan City High School. The school is located at the former Rogers High School site.
Michigan City is the home of the Old Michigan City Light, one of Indiana's few lighthouses. Michigan City's largest shopping center, Lighthouse Place Outlet Mall, which was built in the mid 1980s, pays homage to the lighthouse. Marquette Mall, constructed in 1965, is Michigan City's sole conventional shopping mall. St. Anthony Memorial Health Center is Michigan City's sole hospital.[4]
Michigan City has one daily newspaper, The News-Dispatch. It also has one FM radio station, WEFM, and one AM radio station, WIMS, together with one government access cable TV station, Access LaPorte County. Michigan City is in Chicago's Area of Dominant Influence. Radio and Television broadcasts from both Chicago and South Bend reach most of the population. There are also a couple of websites which offer information and gathering points to the community in We are MC [2] and City by the Lake [3]
Michigan City also houses a zoo, and art center, and also is the home of the Indiana State Prison.[5]
Known for its many talented musicians, Michigan City also has one of the nation's oldest active municipal bands. Free concerts are performed for the public every Thursday evening at the Guy F. Foreman Amphitheatre located in Washington Park.
The eastern edge of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is also located in Michigan City. Features include Mount Baldy, a large wandering dune. A larger dune, Hoosier Slide, sat at the site of the current electrical generating station. This dune was mined for its sand in the late 19th century. The sand found on the beaches in and near Michigan City is nicknamed "singing sand" because of the sound it produces.[6]
In recent years, Michigan City has added a riverboat, The Blue Chip Casino. This casino is the largest riverboat in Indiana. The Blue Chip just finished building the biggest building in all of northwest Indiana by adding a 22 story hotel to its offerings in 2009. [4] Michigan City has also added a new skatepark at Pullman Field to its tourism offerings.[7]
Going forward Michigan City is looking to revitalize much of its north end. One plan that has been discussed is the Andrews Plan [5] The Andrews Plan also won an award for 2008 CNU Charter Award of Excellence [6]. Most discussion centers on maintaining and expanding open and accessible park areas on Lake Michigan and along Trail Creek.
Michigan City Power Plant lies along the shore of Lake Michigan west of the center of town.
[edit] Government
Mayor Chuck Oberlie was sworn in as Michigan City’s 39th mayor on January 1, 2004.[8] Michigan City has a Council with nine members. Six are elected from geographic wards and three are elected as at-large members.[9]
The following are the City Council members
Richard Murphy First Ward
Marc Espar Second Ward
Ron Meer Third Ward
Patricia Boy Fourth Ward
Willie Milsap Fifth Ward
Phillip Jankowski Sixth Ward
Joseph Doyle Councilman At-Large
Angela Nelson Councilwoman At-Large
Robert McKee Councilman At-Large
[edit] Famous People From Michigan City
- John Barker, Sr., Industrialist, Founder of Haskell & Barker, which later merged with the Pullman Company
- Anne Baxter, an Academy Award-winning American actress.
- Don Larsen, a Major League Baseball pitcher for 14 seasons.
- John Huppenthal, a Republican State Senator in the Arizona Legislature.
- Achy Obejas, an American writer and journalist
- Anita King, an American racecar driver, actress, and thoroughbred racehorse owner.
- Mike LaRocco, a professional Supercross and Motocross racer.
- Daniel D. Bruce, a United States Marine who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in Vietnam in March 1969.
- Abe Gibron, Chicago Bears American football player.
- John G. Roberts, Jr. U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice 2005-present
- Jim Kaiser, local radio talk show host
- Chris Bootcheck, A baseball player.
- Debra Dale, News anchor for WBBM 780
- Raymond Schaefer, Mr. America, 1956
- Jason Caldwell, 2-time Golden Glove boxing champion 1997,1998
- Ted Thorne, Chicago News Anchor Local Radio Host
- David Lilienthal, Chairman of the Tennessee Valley Authority 1941-1946; Chairman, U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, 1947-1949
- Doug Elenz, Orthopedic surgeon to Lance Armstrong[10] and seven-time NCAA All American swimmer
[edit] Notable Inmates at Indiana State Prison, located in Michigan City
- Steven Timothy Judy: was a convicted murderer executed in the U.S. state of Indiana. He was 1st murderer executed in U.S. in 1981, 4th murderer executed in U.S. since 1976, 1st murderer executed in Indiana since 1976.
- VanDyke Grigsby: confined for sixty-six years at the M.C. Prison for murder (Country Music star Johnny Cash would subsequently write a song about Grigsby entitled "Michigan City Howdy Do."
- Gregory Scott Johnson: controversial inmate who wanted to donate his liver after his execution.
- Alan Matheney: was a convicted murderer executed in the U.S. state of Indiana.
- Zolo Azania: is an artist and New Afrikan activist.
- James Clark (criminal): was a Depression-era outlaw and bank robber.
- Homer Van Meter: was an American criminal and bank robber active in the early 20th century, most notably as a criminal associate of John Dillinger and Baby Face Nelson.
- John Hamilton (gangster): was a Canadian criminal and bank robber active in the early 20th century, most notable as a criminal associate of John Dillinger.
- John Dillinger: was an American bank robber.
- D. C. Stephenson: former Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan
- Charles Makley: was an American criminal and bank robber active in the early 20th century, most notably as a criminal associate of John Dillinger.
[edit] Transportation
Michigan City is a major stop along the South Shore Line, one of the last interurban rail lines in the U.S. The train runs directly through on 11th Street (it has no separate right-of-way, and shares the street with automobiles and other road traffic), making two stops in Michigan City's downtown area (11th Street and Carroll Avenue). This rail line connects Michigan City with downtown Chicago westward as well as the South Bend airport to the east.
Amtrak also serves the city with trains running from Chicago to Detroit, Port Huron & Grand Rapids daily.
Michigan City operates a bus service[11]. Formally known as Michigan City Municipal Coach, it is made up of four routes that run on Monday-Saturday. All routes originate at Michigan City Public Library and travel around the city in loops until they return back to the library. Route 3 connects to Carroll Avenue South Shore Line station, while other routes connect to the 11th street station. In addition, Route 1 passes near the Amtrak station on the way to Washington Park. Michigan City also operates a Dial-a-Bus service.
Michigan City Municipal Airport has a 4100-foot runway and averages 118 operations per week.
Options for commercial air service include the Gary/Chicago International Airport in Gary, and the South Bend Regional Airport in South Bend. The South Shore Line has a station at the latter airport.
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ Indiana 2009 Travel Guide; State of Indiana; Indianapolis, Indiana; 2009
- ^ ibid; Indiana 2009
- ^ "Best Beach: Washington Park Beach". Lake Magazine (electronic version). July 2005. http://www.lakemagazine.com/magazine/article.asp?articleid=LID-627-4UY97-20053155. Retrieved on 2006-04-29. See also [1]
- ^ ibid; Indiana 2009
- ^ http://www.in.gov/dnr/lakemich/board/NIRPC.pdf
- ^ Michigan City, Indiana : Online City Hall : City Council
- ^ A Doctor to Champions http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=22090
- ^ http://emichigancity.com/cityhall/departments/coach/index.htm
[edit] External links
- Michigan City, Indiana is at coordinates 41°42′34″N 86°53′13″W / 41.709389°N 86.886928°WCoordinates: 41°42′34″N 86°53′13″W / 41.709389°N 86.886928°W
- City of Michigan City, Indiana website
- City by the Lake.org The Michigan City Message Board
- WeAreMC - The Online Community for Michigan Cityzens Past And Present
- Michigan City Area Schools
- The News-Dispatch
- The South Shore Line
- Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets' website
- Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
- Washington Park Zoo
- Lubeznik Center for the Arts
- The Washington Park Zoological Society
- The Blue Chip Casino
- Access LaPorte County
- MC Library Historical and Biographical Reference
- The North End Plan
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