HISTORY OF EAST CHICAGO, INDIANA
A Rich History
The City of East Chicago was incorporated in 1893, the same year as the great Columbian Exhibition on the south side of Chicago. Born of railroad and steel, East Chicago was one of Northwest Indiana’s first truly industrial cities designed to meet the needs of workers and industry. The city was originally known as the Twin City, with the East Chicago (western section) separated from the Indiana Harbor section by a vast rail yard that served as the rail gateway to Chicago and the west.
During the peak of the great Industrial Revolution East Chicago was known as the most industrialized municipality and America’s ultimate melting pot where four out of five of its citizens were foreign-born. It was during this period in our city's history that more than seventy nationalities, each with it's own ethnic based church, neighborhoods and stores, lived, worked and flourished for generations.
During World War I East Chicago was known as the "Arsenal of America" and as the noted South-Shore Railroad poster proclaimed, it was the "Workshop of America." The history of this great city can best be defined through the images and definitions of the City Seal and the flag of East Chicago
East Chicago is a city in Lake County, Indiana. The population was 32,414 at the 2000 census.
Contents
Geography
Demographics
Transportation
Neighboorhoods
Notable People from East Chicago
School City of East Chicago
Geography
East Chicago is located at 41°38′20″N, 87°27′44″W (41.638885, -87.462140)GR1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.6 square miles (40.5 km²), of which, 12.0 square miles (31.0 km²) of it is land and 3.7 square miles (9.5 km²) of it (23.35%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 32,414 people, 11,707 households, and 7,937 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,706.3 people per square mile (1,044.7/km²). There were 13,261 housing units at an average density of 1,107.2/sq mi (427.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 36.54% White, 36.08% African American, 0.51% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 23.98% from other races, and 2.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 51.61% of the population..
There were 11,707 households out of which 35.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.8% were married couples living together, 26.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.2% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.41.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.5% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 91.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $26,538, and the median income for a family was $31,778. Males had a median income of $32,588 versus $21,678 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,517. About 22.5% of families and 24.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.3% of those under age 18 and 15.6% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
The nearest commercial airport to East Chicago is the Gary/Chicago International Airport in neighboring Gary. The South Shore Line (NICTD) has a station in East Chicago, and the city operates a free bus system. Indiana State Road 912, the Cline Avenue Expressway, connects East Chicago with the Indiana Toll Road and Borman Expressway, and serves the casino and steel mills on the lakefront.
Neighboorhoods
Indiana Harbor
Washington Park
Prairie Park
Sunnyside
Carey / Drummond
Lakeside
East Chicago
Northside
Southside
Calumet
Roxana Park
New Edition
Marktown
Notable People from East Chicago
Derek Bailey, Singer and songwriter
Junior Bridgeman, NBA basketball player
Emilio A. De La Garza, Medal of Honor recipient USMC
Eric Flint, Science fiction author
John M. Ford, Science fiction writer
Katherine Jackson, Mother of pop superstars Michael and Janet Jackson
Kenny Lofton, MLB baseball player
Angel Manfredy, Junior Welterweight Boxer
Gregg Popovich, NBA Head Coach
Andy Prieboy, Singer, songwriter, author and playwright
George Reedy, White House press secretary for Lyndon Johnson
Frank Reynolds, American Broadcasting Company Television anchor
Steve Stojan Tesich, Oscar winning screenwriter
Tim Stoddard, Retired MLB Pitcher
School City of East Chicago
East Chicago Central High School (EC Central Cardinals)
Joseph L. Block Jr. High (Block Jr. High Chargers)
West Side Jr. High (West Side Jr. High 76ers)
Carrie Gosch Elementary (Carrie Gosch Cougars)
Field Elementary (Field Lakers)
Franklin Elementary (Franklin Flyers)
Harrison Elementary (Harrison Hawks)
Lincoln Elementary (Lincoln Warriors)
McKinley Elementary (McKinley Mustangs)
Washington Elementary (Washington Senators)
