! E E R F
2017 FACT BOOK
Special Publication of Kankakee Valley Post News
Page 2 •Crown Point Fact Book 2017
Table of Contents Crown Point Facts . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 City Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Office of Special Events . . . . . . . 6 Parks and Recreation . . . . . . . . . . 7 Crown Point Schools . . . . . . . . . . 8 Grand Old Lady . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 CP Native in Space . . . . . . . . . . .10 History of Crown Point . . . . . . .11
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Page 4 • Crown Point Fact Book 2017
CROWN POINT FACTS
DID YOU KNOW? • In 1834, Solon Robinson and his family are believed to be the first to settle in the area that became Crown Point. • Crown Point was incorporated as a city in 1868. • Among Crown Point’s historic landmarks is the Lake County Courthouse built there in 1878. Additions would be made to the courthouse in 1907 and 1923. • In 1909, the first Cobe Cup race, believed to be the first major auto race, was held in Crown Point. • Rudolph Valentino, star of the silver screen during the silent era, and Winifred DeWolfe were married at the Lake County Courthouse in March, 1923. • In 1934, notorious outlaw John Dillinger escaped from the Lake County Jail located in Crown Point. • In 1998, Crown Point native Jerry Ross flew his first of seven
missions into space via space shuttles. • Crown Point is the county seat of Lake County, Indiana, named for its location on Lake Michigan, and home to over 490,000 residents, according to the US Census Bureau. It is Indiana’s second most populous county. • Crown Point has a population of 27,879 (2015), according to the US Census Bureau. The city’s population has grown over 42 percent since 2000. • As of 2015, the median household income for residents of Crown Point was $63,754, well above the Indiana average of $49,255 (2011-2015). • Crown Point is ideally located 34 miles southeast of the Chicago metropolitan center with rural farmlands situated to the south. • There are 22 parks and sports fields in the city of Crown Point including the domed Sportsplex.
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Crown Point Fact Book 2017 • Page 5
GOVERNMENT
Crown Point City Hall
The City of Crown Point is governed by a mayor and city council. The group meets the first Monday of each month at the City Hall, located at 101 N. East St. David Uran is the current mayor of Crown Point. The council is made up of seven members who are elected. Five of the members are elected by districts and two are at-large members. Current council members are: District 1- Chad Jeffries; District 2- Robert Clemons; District 3- Andrew Kyres; District 4- Laura Sauerman; District 5- Carol Drasga; and at-large members, Chris Retson and Scott Evorik. City departments include ClerkTreasurer, City Court, Cemetery, Emergency Management, Engineering, Fire and Rescue,
Human Resources, Legal, Media/ IT, Parks and Recreation, Planning and Building, Police, Public Works, and Special Events. The Clerk Treasurer is Kristie Dressel. Employees of the office help residents with questions regarding water bills, building permit payments, parking ticket payments, and can provide certain public information documents. The Public Works Department offers a wide variety of services to the citizens of Crown Point, including streets, utilities, and waster water. The Planning and Building Department oversees all land planning developments, construction of new homes, commercial development and inspections of all new construction.
See CITY HALL, page 18
Mayor David Uran
Clerk Treasurer Kristie Dressel
Council, Dist. 1 Chad Jeffries
Council, Dist. 2 Robert Clemons
Council, Dist. 3 Andrew Kyres
Council, Dist. 4 Laura Sauerman
Council, Dist. 5 Carol Drasga
Council, At-Large
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Scott Evorik
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Page 6 • Crown Point Fact Book 2017
SPECIAL EVENTS
Mayor’s Office of Special Events plans family friendly fun The Mayor’s Office of Special Events is now located at 11065 Broadway, Suite F in Crown Point. The office is responsible for organizing and providing family friendly events for the residents and guests of the city. Special Events Administrator Diana Bosse said the office organizes yearly events including the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, City Wide Picnic, Oktoberfest, Tour of Lights and Winter Market, all of which were started with Mayor David Uran’s administration. The special events department was begun by former Mayor Dan Klein, and continues to grow as the city grows. Besides Bosse, Marie Pittman and Katelyn Cecich are part time special event assistants. The office was moved to its new location when the Public Works Department built a new campus with room for the city’s engineering and planning departments as well as the special events office. The Parks Department also moved to the new location. Currently, the Office of Special Events is in the process of building an outdoor event center on West St., where there will be many opportunities for entertainment and fun family events. While planning the events, the Special Events office secures sponsorships by working with local businesses to partner with the office and to promote the events through advertising. “St. Patrick’s Day Parade is our largest event bringing thousands of people to Crown Point,” Bosse said. Another popular program are the sculptures that are placed strategically around the downtown and other public areas. Last year, a giant statue of Abraham Lincoln talking to a young man stood on display at the Sportsplex to honor Indiana’s Bicentennial. Statues will again grace the walkways of Crown Point in the summer and fall.
The Mayor’s Office of Special Events is located at 11065 Broadway and organizes events such as the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Oktoberfest and the Tour of Lights. The office is busy planning the 2017 events. Events are listed on page 17. “We will continue to provide quality family friendly events to our residents and guests,” Bosse said. To see what the office has planned, visit the city’s website at www.crownpoint.in.gov or call 219-662-3290.
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PARKS AND RECREATION
Crown Point Parks and Recreation Crown Point offers 19 parks, including a municipal pool, skate park and seasonal ice rink. • Bowtie Park, located at the intersection of Arthur St. and 94th Avenue, is situated on 1.5 acres and offers a playground and a basketball court. • Arthur Street Park is located at Arthur Street and 96th Avenue. Its 1.5 acres offers a playground. • Sauerman Woods Park offers a gazebo, walking trail in the woods, a basketball court and four sand volleyball courts. The Hub swimming pool is also here. It is located at 1000 E. South Street and the pool opens May 27. Pool rental is available. • Collins Park offers a tennis court, playground and a softball field. It is located at the intersection of 3500 Merrillville Road and 95th Avenue and spreads out over four acres. • Erlenbach Park is located at 9650 Van Buren St. and offers a
The domed Sportsplex has two indoor fields for soccer, football and lacrosse. It also offers a skate park in the winter.
playground. • Keller Park, which offers a playground, is located at the intersection of Merrillville Road and W. 97th Place. • Willow Tree Park at McKinley St. and Arthur Place, encompasses
four acres and features a playground. • White Hawk Park at White Hawk Drive near the White Hawk Country Club course offers a playground. • Brookside Park is situated on 1
acre and offers a playground and picnicking opportunities. • Thomas Street Park at 700 Thomas Street has a playground and shelter rental. • Jerry Ross Park at 399 W. North St., offers playground fun as well as a shelter. • Prairie View Park at North Heather Lane has a playground. • Solon Robinson Park, located at Dexter Drive, offers nine acres of recreation, including a sand volleyball court, two basketball courts and a pavilion. • Penn Oak Park is located on nearly one acre at South Madison St. and Chessington Dr. and offers a playground. • High Meadow Park, located at High Meadow Drive, has a playground. • Bluebird Park at 117th Place has a playground on 1 acre. • Kaiser Park at S. Main Street has a playground and shelter op See PARKS, page 22
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Page 8 • Crown Point Fact Book 2017
EDUCATION
Crown Point Schools recognized for academic excellence The Crown Point Community Schools Corporation presides over public education in Crown Point. The corporation’s office is located at 200 E. North St., Crown Point and Dr. Teresa A. Einerman is the Superintendent of Schools. The school board of trustees is made up of Scott Angle, president; Jerry Caravana, vice-president; Tom Hoffman, secretary; Karen Schram, member; and David Warne, member. The Crown Point Schools are recognized as being among the top in the state having received a grade of “A” for exemplary academic achievement by the Indiana Dept. of Education. Crown Point High School has grown from its modest origins to one of the largest comprehensive high schools in Indiana. The current facility, which was featured in American School and University Architectural Portfolio as an Outstanding High School Design, opened to students in
the fall of 2003. Due to expansive growth, the high school opened a new academic wing in 2009 that increased the school’s capacity to 3,000 students. Today Crown Point High School is home to over 2,600 students from grades 9 through 12 and employs 120 full time faculty who actively participate in many state and national organizations. Crown Point High School, an Indiana Chamber of Commerce Best Buy School, offers its students numerous educational, extracurricular and athletic opportunities and its performance is often ranked with the best in the state and nation. It was selected by the Washington Post as one of the nation’s “Most Challenging High Schools” and U.S. News and World Report named it a “Top U.S. High School.” Crown Point Schools Crown Point High School Principal: Chip Pettit
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9-10th Grade Principal: Mark Gianfermi Guidance/Student Services Principal: Robert McDermott 11-12 Grade Principal: Russ Marcinek Address: 1500 Main St. Phone: 219-663-4885 Robert A. Taft Middle School Principal: Michael Hazen Address: 1000 S. Main St. Phone: 219-663-1507
Solon Robinson Elementary School Principal: Barbara L. Merrill Address: 601 Pettibone St. Phone: 219-663-2525 Winfield Elementary School Principal: Jillian Alonzo Address: 13128 Montgomery St. Phone: 219-663-2287
Col. John Wheeler Middle School Principal: Dave Vode Address: 401 W. Joliet St. Phone: 219-663-2173
Douglas MacArthur Elementary School Principal: Marian Buchko Address: 12900 Fairbanks Ave., Cedar Lake Phone 219-662-3600
Timothy Ball Elementary School Principal: Nick Ciochina Address: 720 Summit St. Phone: 219-663-0047
Eisenhower Elementary School Principal: Mary Ann Chapko Address: 1450 E. Main St. Phone: 219-663-8800
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Crown Point Fact Book 2017 • Page 9
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN
Grand Old Lady is jewel in the crown
The red bricked “Grand Old Lady,” dubbed the jewel in the crown of Crown Point is the center point for the city’s historic shopping district. The former Lake County Courthouse is now home to shops, a rental ballroom, a theater, offices, The John Dillinger Museum and the Lake County Historical Museum. Around the courthouse square, visitors will find a variety of restaurants to choose from including Greek, Italian, Chinese and Mexican, as well as American cuisine. Several of these restaurants occupy restored buildings such as The Safe House, Cafe Fresca, SIP Coffee House and Artisan Cafe, The Zombie Club and the Registry, a bar and grill housed in what was the first newspaper, the Register, in Crown Point. Noka’s is located across from the Dillinger Museum in the Old Lake County Courthouse. Lucretia’s Restorante occupies the historic Fifield Mansion. Other restaurants on the courthouse square are Martoni’s, Tequila Restorante and 12 Islands. In the Grand Old Lady, there are professional offices including the Crown Point Chamber of Commerce and the The rotunda of the Grand Old Lady shines in its marbled splendor. The Lake County Lake County Courthouse Foundation. Not far off the square, the Sheriff’s House, built in 1882, Historical Museum is located on the 2nd floor beyond the rotunda. is being restored. It was home to Lake County sheriffs for 76 consecutive years. The back portion of the building was efforts has been listed on the National State Registers of Historic the jail, from which John Dillinger escaped in 1934. Places. The home was built in 1847. A self-guided walking tour is The Old Homestead Preservation Project, a partnership between the City of Crown Point and the Old Homestead Preservation Society available from the Chamber of Commerce, located inside the old courthouse. restored the Wellington A. Clark Homestead, which through their
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Page 10 • Crown Point Fact Book 2017
LIVING LEGEND
CP native earns frequent flyer status in space By Cheri Shelhart editor@kvpost.net
Astronaut Jerry Ross is a native of Crown Point and NASA’s record holder for his seven space missions. Ross was born in Crown Point on Jan. 20, 1948, and graduated from Crown Point High School in 1966. He earned his Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University, where his accomplishments are celebrated. Growing up, Ross heard about the “space race” between the United States and the Soviet Union. “It totally captured my imagination,” he said. Ross said aunts and uncles saved their “Life” and “Look” magazines whenever the space program was mentioned. Before he could read, his mother read the articles to him. From the moment he saw the first rocket launch into space, he was hooked. After receiving his master’s degree in 1972, Ross began his active duty in the United States Air Force. During his years at Purdue he was an Air Force ROTC student. In 1976, he graduated from the flight test engineer school. He flew more than 20 different types of aircraft with more than 4,000 hours of flight.
In 1979, Ross was assigned to NASA at the Johnson Space Center in Houston,Texas, where he has resided ever since. He became a payload officer and flight controller and then was selected to be an astronaut. He logged more than 58 days in space on seven different missions. He was a missions specialist on those flights, which included work on the International Space Station (ISS). “I decided the best place to be is the top of a rocket,” he said. And again he set his goal to become one of those men who ride into space at the top of a rocket. “It was awesome to look at the earth from that perspective,” he said. Ross’ first mission, STS-61B, left the Kennedy Space Center on Nov. 26, 1985, in the Space Shuttle Atlantis. During his first space flight, Ross took two six hour space walks to demonstrate space station construction technique experiments. Walking in space Ross said gave him a feeling of freedom. “I was in my own space craft. I could look in any direction, to the edges of the universe or back at the earth,” he said. In 2003, the Jerry Ross Elementary School opened in the Town of Winfield as a part of Crown Point Community Schools. He said having the school named after him was an honor, especially to have it named after him while he is still alive. During one of his space missions he spoke with students in Crown Point’s Lake Street Elementary School via ham radio. Ross said he comes back to Crown Point several times a year. His sister taught in the Crown Point school system and his parents lived in Crown Point.
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Crown Point Fact Book 2017 • Page 11
HISTORY
Crown Point has rich history as county seat Solon and Mariah (Evans) Robinson came to the Crown Point area from LaPorte in 1834. By 1835, the small settlement had a population of 21. The first post office was later opened with Solon Robinson as the first post master. He called the Post Office “Lake Court House.” After Lake County was organized in 1837, a new building was built of hewn logs to house the county courthouse on the south side of what is now the courthouse square in downtown Crown Point. It became the temporary courthouse in 1838. Lake Court House, Liverpool and West Point were contenders for the designation as the county seat. Liverpool was named the county seat in 1839 by the county commissioners. The Lake County The old Lake County Historical Society reports that so many people were dissatisfied with this choice that the Indiana jail. legislature stepped in and ordered the county seat to be relocated to Lake Court House. It became the permanent county seat in 1840. The log cabin courthouse was replaced around 1849 with a wood frame structure built on the north side of the courthouse square at a cost of $10,000. It housed the courtroom, sheriff ’s office and a basement jail. The Historical Society says this courthouse, by 1876, was “too small and out of character” for the growing community. A prominent Chicago architect, J.C.Cochran, designed the courthouse that still stands on
the square today. The central portion of the building with a clock tower was begun in 1878 and designated in 1880. It cost $52,000. The hand kilned bricks came from the Henry Wise brickyard in Crown Point. As the county continued to grow, additions were added to the courthouse on both the north and south sides starting in 1907 and dedicated in 1909. These additions cost $160,000. By the early 1970s, the county had again outgrown its courthouse. Instead of adding onto the current Romanesque/Georgian style building, a new modern complex was built two miles north of the square. The old courthouse, dubbed the “Grand Old Sheriff’s house and Lady” was set to be demolished for a parking lot. A group of “concerned citizens” formed a non-profit foundation to save the building from destruction. The foundation used the $70,000 the county had set aside for demolition as seed money to restore and save the building. It was added to the National Register of Historical Places on May 17, 1973. It now has shops and museums inside. Historical happenings in Crown Point In the early 20th century, Crown Point was called a marriage mill. See HISTORY, page 22
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Page 12 • Crown Point Fact Book 2017
INTERACTIVE ART
Last year, Abe Lincoln, this year, a giant tooth!
Interactive Art brings visitors to Crown Point for 3rd year By Cheri Shelhart editor@kvpost,net
For the third year, the City of Crown Point will bring the life-size and larger than life statues that bring visitors to the county seat. Last year, a very tall Abraham Lincoln stood next to a tall young man at the city’s Sportsplex, an indoor sports complex. Smaller, life size statues graced the sidewalks along the square downtown and around the square. This year, there will be a different kind of statue by artist Seward Johnson, a giant tooth (right), a baby tooth no less, and two life-sized statues looking rather perplexed by the sight of the large tooth. “It’s just crazy art, just kiche,” said Carol Drasga, city councilwoman and organizer of the statues. When she tells people what’s coming this year, she said, they laugh. “I think it will be a really great hit,” she said. One of the sponsors of “the tooth” is a dentist. The statues for the downtown area will arrive the first of May. The tooth and the two perplexed statues will arrive around May 24 - 25,
and will be set up at the Sportsplex, in an area where visitors and residents can walk under and around the tooth, and get some fun pictures to share on social media. With the life size statues coming to downtown, Drasga said the size of foot traffic in the square has dramatically increased and has been good for Crown Point merchants and restaurants. She said people come to the square, park and stroll around the downtown area looking at the statues, finding stores to shop and places to eat as they go along. Visitors can participate in a scavenger hunt. A person can find a particular statue by using clues and when the map is filled out, they drop it off at the Crown Point Library. There is also a photo contest and the winners are awarded with gift certificates from Crown Point merchants. The statues will be in place for six months, usually until the end of October, early November. “They’re so much fun,” Drasga said. “I love to sit on a bench and watch people.” The tooth will be leaving the east coast for the She said people can interact with the statues, first time to appear in Crown Point. taking pictures and having fun with it. PHOTO BY SEWARD JOHNSON ATELIER (ALSO THE CREATOR OF THE PIECES)
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Page 14 • Crown Point Fact Book 2017
PUBLIC SAFETY
Crown Point Police and Fire & Rescue answer the call 24/7 The Crown Point Police Department serves the entire city limits. The police department is under the direction of Crown Point Police Chief Pete Land. Divisions within the department include administration, detective bureau, uniformed patrol, communications, records, K-9 Unit, motor unit, DARE and SWAT. The department can help residents with VIN checks, state crash reports, arrest reports, offense reports, archived reports, fingerprinting and local records check. All of the services have a fee that must be paid. The Crown Point Police Department is located at 124 N. East Street in Crown Point. To contact the department for a nonemergency dial 219-663-2131. Remember to dial 9-1-1 for all emergencies. Crown Point Fire & Rescue The Crown Point Volunteer Fire Department was established in
1873 and was one of the first organized fire departments in the area. At that time the fire department numbered 40 members, most of whom were business and professional men of the town. Today, the Crown Point Fire-Rescue Department has 28 full-time employees and 42 paid-on-call firefighters. There are 18 pieces of equipment out of one central fire station that serves the citizens of Crown Point and other parts of Center Township. Crown Point Fire-Rescue has an ISO rating of 4 for areas within the city. All personnel are cross trained and certified as firefighter/paramedics. Eight paid firefighter/paramedics are assigned per shift with three shifts rotating on a 24/48 work schedule. The department also specializes in technical rescue incidents. CPFR has two elements of the Special Operations Division, Technical Rescue & Water Rescue/Dive teams. The members
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of these teams must train above and beyond the normal firefighter and paramedic trainings. All of the three shifts have a rescue diver and several technical rescue members on duty. Technical rescue includes: trench collapse, structural collapse, rope rescue and confined space. The Crown Point Fire Chief is Greg DeLor and Assistant Chief is Gerard Abraham. Fire Inspector is
Lake County Sheriff’s Office The Lake County Sheriff ’s Department is comprised of over 500 employees who make up a number of different divisions. These divisions include county police, corrections, court security and animal control. The sheriff ’s office maintains several programs to benefit the community including a DARE program, Safe Place, Internet safety, Neighborhood Watch, programs for senior citizens and a bicycle registry. The sheriff ’s office is located at 2293 N. Main St., Crown Point. To contact the Sheriff ’s administration office call 219-755-3400. To reach the office’s “Report a Crime Hotline” call 800-7502746. Remember to dial 9-1-1 for all emergencies.
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Crown Point Fact Book 2017 • Page 15
PUBLIC ENEMY #1
Visit the Dillinger Museum; learn why crime doesn’t pay The John Dillinger Museum opened in the old Lake County Courthouse on July 22, 2015, on the 81st anniversary of the criminal’s death in Chicago. The museum had been housed at the Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond since 1999 but was moved to the former Lake County Courthouse on the square in downtown Crown Point, where the collection, that once belonged to Joe Pinkston of Nashville, Indiana, will now reside. The museum features interactive displays with information about the life of Dillinger, once declared Public Enemy No. 1 by FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover. The exhibit is meant to show that crime doesn’t pay. Dillinger’s life is not glamorized. Visitors will learn about his death and the life he lead that brought him to an early grave. Visitors can enjoy a historical adventure through the life and times of John Dillinger, the infamous
New to the museum is the original indictment for John Dillinger and his cohort John Hamilton for the murder of E. Chicago police officer William P. O’Malley as the two men were robbing a bank in the city. Depression Era gangster, as well as the rise of the FBI during the 1930’s. The museum is an educational and historic experience featuring artifacts and interactive
displays using Dillinger and other gangsters as examples of what happens to people who engage in criminal activity. Pinkston put together a collec-
tion of Dillinger items, including the pants, still encrusted with his blood, that he wore when shot down outside the Biograph Theater in Chicago on July 22, 1934. After Pinkston’s death, his son Randy sold the collection to the Lake County Convention and Visitors Bureau (now the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority) in March 1998. The exhibit opened at the Indiana Welcome Center in 1999. Visitors to the Dillinger exhibit in Crown Point will see some of the same items on display, but in a new format. The wax figure of Dillinger on a table at a Chicago morgue, the bloody pants, his death mask and the fake wooden gun he used to escape the Crown Point jail in March 1934 are all on display. New to the museum since its relocation is the Fallen Officer Memorial Wall, honoring the brave See MUSEUM, page 22
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Page 16 • Crown Point Fact Book 2017
CROWN POINT COMMUNITY LIBRARY
Something for everyone at the Crown Point Community Library
The Crown Point Community Library serves the residents of Center and Winfield Townships in Lake County. The main branch is located on Main Street just north of the square in downtown Crown Point and a new location in Winfield in the Double Tree Plaza serves the eastern section of the library district. Both libraries are community centers, serving all the people in either township. Library board meetings are held the fourth Monday of each month at 5 p.m. in the Library Board Room, third floor at the Crown Point branch. The public is welcome and should request access to the third floor at the circulation desk. The 2016 members of the Crown Point Library Board are President Patrick Schuster, Vice President Vicky Klein, Treasurer Fiona McCarroll, Secretary Mary MalloyRhee, Trustee Janet Katich, Trustee Rose Ann Kendall and
p.m. Friday, Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday: 1 to 5 p.m.
Winfield Branch Address: 10771 Randolph St. (in the Double Tree Plaza) Phone: 219-662-4039 Hours: Monday and Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed Sunday Trustee Chris Mallers. The Friends of the Crown Point Community Library meet the second Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. in meeting room 2. The Friends of the Library have supported special programs and help to purchase items not generally covered in the library’s regular operating budget. Their mission is
to enhance and promote the use and enjoyment of the library. Learn more about the library at crownpointlibrary.org. Crown Point Public Library Address: 122 N. Main Street Phone: 219-663-0270 Hours: Monday-Thursday: 9 a.m. to 8
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Crown Point Fact Book 2017 • Page 17
CROWN POINT EVENTS
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Page 18 • Crown Point Fact Book 2017 Roberts. Plan Commission meets the second Monday of the month at 7 p.m. in council chambers. Members are Chad Jeffries, Laura Sauerman, Mike Conquest, Rick Day, John Marshall, Dan Rohaley and Carol Drasga. Redevelopment Commission meets the second Monday of the month at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers. Members are Aaron McDermitt, Brad Bosse (appointed by the mayor), Tom Keelman (appointed by the mayor), Carol Drasga ((appointed by the council), David H. Nicholls (city attorney). Storm Water Advisory Board meets as needed. Members are Bob Bieker, Jake Boender, Wendell Baize, Tim Grzych, Todd Klevin, Cory Kreith and Ken Ziese Tree Board members are Matt Lake, Lorraine Keilman, Russell Hodge, Carol Drasga, Todd Klevin.
City Hall contined from Pg. 5 To contact city hall, call 219-662-3240 or visit www. crownpoint.in.gov. City hall office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Boards and Committees
Board of Public Works meets the first and fourth Monday of each month at 2 p.m. in council chambers. Board members are Mayor David Uran, Robert Clemons, Mike Conquest, Tim Grzych and Jim Crook Board of Zoning Appeals meets the fourth Monday of each month in council chambers. Board members are Chairman Dan Rohaley, Vice-chairman John Marshall, Christopher Meyers, Nick Nochevich and Alda Veluttini Historical Preservation meets the second Wednesday of the month. Members are Chairman Paul Bremer, Vice-chairman Jim Kendall, Dan Rohaley, Jim Crisman, Todd Kabella, Richard Osterle, Jolene Bolenger, Tiffany Tolbert, Garry Knesek and Bette
City Departments
Building Department 219-662-3229 Plumbing Inspector:
Dave LaMere, ext. 4 HVAC Inspector: Keith Anderson, ext. 5 Electric Inspector: Kitt Kabella, ext. 7 Building Inspector: Richard Hulen, ext. 3 Administrator: Joe Cash Administrative Assistant: Jenni Pause City Court 219-662-3243 City Court holds hearings and trials every Tuesday afternoon beginning at 1:30 p.m. It is located in the old Hall of Justice building on S. Main St., south of the square. The Crown Point City Court hears cases involving criminal misdemeanors, traffic tickets (infractions) and city ordinance violations. The City Court Clerk’s office is open to the public weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon. The clerk’s office is located in the historic Carnegie Library building across the street from the Hall of Justice, 223 S. Main St. City Court Judge is Kent M. Jeffirs and the City Attorney is David H. Nicholls (219-662-3258). Emergency Management
Director: Quinn Wentz, qwentz@ crownpoint.in.gov Engineering 219-661-2280 Mayor’s office 219-662-3240 Fax: 219-662-3262 101 N. East St. Mayor David Uran Secretary Marsha Essary Mayor’s Office of Special Events 219-662-3290 11065 Broadway, Ste. F Director Diana Bosse Parks Department 219-661-2271 11035 Broadway, Ste. E Director Jennie Burgess Administrative Assistant: Cathi Grzych Recreation Manager: Dale Gurgel Sportsplex manager: John Stroia Maintenance: Jeff Knesek Planning and Zoning 219-661-5039 Anthony Schleuter Administrative Assistant: Jenni Pause: 219-662-3239 Administrative Assistant: Chrissy Barron: 219-662-3239 Public Works 219-662-3252 Director Scott Rediger
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DEVELOPMENT & PROMOTION Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce The Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce works for the betterment of Northwest Indiana businesses and communities by promoting economic development, quality business practices, a voice in public policy and civic pride. The chamber accomplishes this through the active involvement of its members to provide business leadership, a forum for the exchanges of ideas, business-to-business opportunities and support of community events. — Information from crossroadschamber.org
Address: 9101 Taft Street Merrillville, IN 46410 Phone: 219-769-8180 Web: crossroadschamber.org
South Shore Convention & Visitors Authority The South Shore Convention and
Visitors Authority is a sales and marketing organization that leads the hospitality industry and aids its partners through the development and support of attractions throughout the region. The SSCVA markets the South Shore as a centrally located, reasonably priced destination for business and leisure travelers. The organization also draws conventions, meetings, sporting events and group tours from around the nation and has maintained the image of the ideal “weekend getaway” for those traveling within a 250-mile radius. The growth of tourism in the last several years has stabilized the region’s economy and has provided many new jobs. There are current-
ly more than 14,000 hospitality related jobs in Lake County. The Lake County Convention and Visitors Bureau was created by the Indiana General Assembly in 1983. The Bureau has grown from a staff of only two in loaned-out offices at the Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville to operating out of the 23,000 square foot Indiana Welcome Center located in Hammond. — Information from by SSCVA
Address: 7770 Corinne Drive, Hammond, IN 46323 Phone: 219-989-7979 Web: southshorecva.com Lake County Economic Development Department
The Lake County Community Economic Development Department provides business finance services through a variety of programs. It provides access to business capital through the Lake County Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) and a number of other business finance and business assistance programs. This can be direct assistance or indirect assistance via referral. Funding sources include: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Loans, the Indiana Department of Commerce (IDOC), Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and Industrial Development Revenue Bonds (IDBs), and loan participation with the Commercial Banking Community.
— Information from .lakecountyin.org
Address: 2293 North Main Street; Crown Point, IN 46307 Phone: 219-755-3225 Web: lakecountyin.org
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Page 20 • Crown Point Fact Book 2017
LAKE COUNTY GOVERNMENT
Crown Point, the seat for Lake County government
The Lake County Government Complex opened in 1974, two miles north of the old courthouse in downtown Crown Point. It houses the Lake County Jail as well as the court rooms. The address is 2293 N. Main St., Crown Point. The first floor of the Administration Building (Building A) houses courtrooms, the clerk of the traffic division, child support and small claims. The prosecuting attorney’s office, clerk of the court’s office and probation offices are located on the first floor of Building B. The second floor of Building A contains the Assessor, Recorder, Auditor and Treasurer’s offices. The voters registration election board can also be found on the second floor. The Lake County Government Complex houses the government entities, courtrooms and jail in Courtrooms occupy the second floor three buildings on N. Main St. in Crown Point. of Building B, along with court offices PHOTO BY CHERI SHELHART and the public defenders’ office. The third floor of Building A houses offices of the townships assessors, county surveyor, building and planning commission, Veterans services, Health Dept., Economic Development and the county commissioners and council, as well as their meeting chamber. The Lake County Jail sits to the west of Building A and B. The sheriff ’s offices are located between Building B and the jail. Animal Control sits on the northwest corner of the complex, with entrances off of W. 93rd Ave.
Crown Point Fact Book 2017 • Page 21
COLLECTING HISTORY
Antique cash registers is a passion for Crown Point lawyer By Cheri Shelhart
Kankakee Valley Post News
A young boy of 10 wanders into an estate sale and purchases a cash register for $1 and the desire to collect more continues to this day. Crown Point Attorney Michael Lambert was that 10year old boy, and his collection is far more sophisticated than that first metal cash register he bought for fun. In an historic building in the city, Lambert has a portion of his 60 piece collection on display. His office holds just two of the bronze and brass ornamented cash registers from his collection. Another room in what was once the city’s Carnegie Library has been turned Crown Point Attorney Michael Lambert, an into a banquet room antique cash register collector, explains the where several more of workings of one of his largest machines, which the shining National has multiple cash drawers to keep track of multiCash Register Company’s old machines ple cashiers. It was made in the early 1900s for add brightness to the a department store. room. PHOTOS BY CHERI SHELHART Some of his collected machines have been restored, others are as he bought them, dull with age. The machines he collects are mostly from the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th. In those days, the cash register reflected the business’s personality and decor. The widest machine has 40 keys and has been completely refurbished. Its keys have clear glass with blue glass depicting the amount or type of key on its buttons. It shines with bright bronze imprinted with a unique artistic style and was built in 1895. One of the cash registers sat in a bar, with keys for beer and ale with $.10 levers for the different types sold at the time. The name of the proprietor is molded into the shining bronze. Some businesses that were well off would choose to have the name of the establishment on the register. Some of the machines have multiple drawers and a way to keep track of each of the clerks who used their respective cash drawers for the larger stores. Other cash registers are slim and were found in smaller stores such as a barber shop or candy store. The candy store register keys have amounts from $.01 to $.50, while the larger store keys range from a nickel to larger amounts of paper money. Some of the lower end cash registers are plated with nickel, others have marble stands, some on wood stands, others that attached to the counter. One of Lambert’s collection has a wood casing with intricate inlaid designs. The register came from a collector who sold the registers from the national archives. The National Cash Register company delivered this particular machine to John Davidson in Kansas on Dec. 27, 1887, at a cost of $200. Davidson owned a farm mercantile company that sold farm
machines and wagons that were sent out west during the Indian wars. The serial number on this machine is 3112. The cash register company built the machines, then gave each a consequential serial number for the registers it built. Each register was serialized the day it shipped and would have the date and serial number also on the bottom of the cash drawer. The serial number would be placed on the center of the machine. Lambert said he has always been interested in history and received a degree in history in college. “I had a natural affection for this building and for Crown Point. When it came The inlaid wood custom made cash up for sale, my wife and I bought it.” register was built for a John Not all of his collection is stored Davidson, who owned a mercantile in the old library. His first cash register, the one he bought when he store in Kansas. It was delivered on was 10, sits in the museum in the December 1887 and cost $200. old Lake County Courthouse along with other historical artifacts of the town and its county. Over the years, Lambert has met other collectors who share his interest in the antique cash registers, which range in value depending on the metal market and the rarity of the machine. Lambert is always on the look out for a new machine to add to his collection.
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History contined from Pg. 11 Justice of the Peace Howard Kemp advertised in Chicago, offering to marry couples any time of day or night, seven days a week. Silent film star Rudolph Valentino married Winifred DeWolfe in Crown Point by Judge Kemp on March 16, 1923. Word quickly spread around town the famous movie star was getting married, and a crowd quickly gathered. The newspaper, “Lake County Star” wrote the couple was given an “impromptu ovation” and was “showered with congratulations” as the wedding party headed back to Chicago after the ceremony. Ronald Reagan married Jane Wyman in Crown Point. Muhammed Ali, Tom Mix and Joe and Kathryn Jackson, parents of the Jackson 5, Janet and LaToya Jackson were also married there. The marriage mill contin-
ued until a new law was enacted in 1940 requiring blood tests before marriage requiring a three day waiting period. In 1909, the first major auto race was held in Crown Point. Named the Cobe Cup Race, it was held south of the courthouse and was a grueling 25 mile course from Crown Point to Lowell, with the first turn at the Lake County Fairgrounds. It was the forerunner of the Indianapolis 500. Louis Chevrolet, founder and creator of the Chevrolet Motor Co., took the first winner’s cup of the race. One of the most famous historical events occurred on March 3, 1934, when the infamous criminal John Dillinger escaped the Crown Point Jail where he was being held for the murder of an East Chicago police officer after having robbed a bank there.
Parks contined from Pg. 7
Museum contined from Pg. 15
portunities. • Sportsplex offers two FieldTurf fields for soccer, football and lacrosse play. It is located at 1313 North St. The skate park is also located here. There are three fields including a championship field that features stadium seating for 750, press box, PA systems and observation deck, there are lighted turf fields marked for football, soccer and lacrosse, and paved parking for more than 1,000 vehicles. There is also an on-site playground, walking path and batting cages. In addition to Crown Point Parks, there are many other parks within Lake County, including Deep River Park, Gibson Woods Nature Preserve, the Grand Kankakee Marsh Nature Preserve, Lake Etta, Lemon Lake, Oak Ridge Prairie, Stoney Run, Three Rivers, and Whihala Beach.
men, women and K9’s of Lake County, who have died in the line of duty dating back to the 1910’s. The John Dillinger Museum is located inside the historic Lake County Courthouse (1 Courthouse Square in Crown Point). Normal hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday-Saturday and Sunday: 12 to 4 p.m., closed Mondays. Regular adult admission $4; Seniors: $3 and children 6-12, $2. Children under 6 are free. Discounts offered for groups. Free admission for active fire, EMS, military and Hoosier Helpers, as well as active or retired police officers. Visit online at www.dillingermuseum.com or www.facebook.com/JohnDillingerMuseum.
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Crown Point Fact Book 2017 • Page 23
MICHAEL LAMBERT ATTORNEY AT LAW
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Page 24 • Crown Point Fact Book 2017
The Carnegie Banquet Room The Carnegie Banquet Room is available for your all of your private party needs located in the heart of historic Crown Point, Indiana. An elegant venue for up to fifty persons.
The Carnegie Banquet Room, housed in the former Carnegie Library, captures the elegance of the early twentieth century in both its architecture and interior decor. The Dining Room’s high ceilings along with its large windows crowned with stained glass while accented with old-world drapery, brings out the true elegance intended for the room. No matter the occasion, your event will feel just right at The Carnegie Banquet Room. Events held at the Carnegie Banquet Room included Weddings, Anniversary Parties, Birthday Parties, Holiday Parties, Baby Showers, Renunions, as well as Corporate Events and Business Meetings or all Types. Call today for Details.
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