South Shore Blog

This week, May 5-11, 2019, is National Travel and Tourism Week! Wednesday, May 8th, is Wayback Wednesday which is a day to celebrate Indiana’s historical destinations. To honor #WayBackWednesday here are 9 historical places around our area, many you can visit year-round.

Heavy rain was expected Saturday, so we got up early to get as much fun into our day as possible. After enjoying a delicious and relaxing breakfast at our hotel, we loaded up the car and headed a little bit south to Lowell, Indiana. Our first stop was Buckley Homestead. Buckley Homestead is described as a living history farm. It’s spread out over quite a few acres but is very walkable and so interesting that you cover quite a bit of ground without realizing it.

Photo from the Lake County Historical Museum: Couples standing in line at the Clerk's Office in the courthouse waiting to obtain their marriage licenses (c1930).

Years ago, Crown Point was known for its quickie no-wait weddings. Crown Point was aptly named the Marriage Mill, because it turned out countless weddings between 1915 and 1940. The reason? There was no wait for a marriage license. Couples from all over the nation came to the Marriage Mill, much like they do Vegas today and the Crown Point Courthouse is bringing the Mill back to life.

“The Crossroads of America,” is Indiana’s official motto, and the old adage is ever apparent through most cross streets in Griffith. In fact, Griffith is called, “The Town that Came to the Tracks,” because the town’s location was specifically chosen because of the number of railroads that crossed through its streets. It’s well known nationwide that Indiana’s railways hum with freighters, tankers and electric commuters moving precious cargo, business folk and travelers alike day and night. More than 180 trains roared through Griffith during the town’s peak periods. But what defines Northwest Indiana? In a sense, we’re a region Built by Steel.

UPDATE: The John Dillinger Museum permanently closed its doors in Crown Point on August 31, 2017.

One quarter is all you need for the entire month of February

Crime doesn't pay, and to learn that, all you need is a quarter. For the entire month of February 2017, the admission is only 25 cents to all visitors. John Dillinger, the infamous Depression Era gangster met his demise outside of the Biograph Theater in Chicago. The movie? Manhattan Melodrama. The cost? A quarter. Learn the story of Dillinger, his gang and the rise of the FBI who took Dillinger and a number of other criminals down during the mayhem of the 1930s.

Did you know that the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore turns 50 this year? Talk about a fine wine. Special events are occurring along the lakeshore to commemorate Indiana’s favorite national park. We’ve put together five ways for you to celebrate the wonder of Lake Michigan. From Century of Progress Tours to a festival inspired by Johnny Appleseed, you’ll find fun for the whole family.

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