History, recreation and civic pride in Indiana’s “best kept secret”
La Porte, Indiana, is a proud city. “We like to think of ourselves as Indiana’s best-kept secret,” says Jessica Bruder Spoljaric, the City of La Porte’s Director of Communications. “Our mayor’s slogan is ‘La Porte Proud,’ and our residents have immense pride in this community. It’s unmatched.” Its downtown, which was added to the National Register of Historic Districts in 1983, centers around a historic courthouse with surrounding streets full of antique stores and dining options, while farther out, half a dozen lakes and accompanying parks provide recreational opportunities, offering the city's 22,000 residents a small-town alternative to Chicago and South Bend.
Manufacturing has historically been a primary industry in and around La Porte. Current major employers include Northwest Health, which operates a hospital in town, the county office, and Howmet Aerospace.
Prioritizing new development for all price ranges while maintaining history
The median price for a single-family home in La Porte is $255,000, significantly lower than the national median of $420,000 and close to Indiana’s median of $260,000. “Housing is a huge priority,” Spoljaric says. “We are working with developers to try to bring more options. We want affordable. We want high-end. We want everything so we can meet community needs.” One project will put new townhomes and single-family residences on the east side. At the same time, Victorian and Craftsman homes in historic districts near downtown continue to be preserved.
Lake living in La Porte, on waters great and small alike
La Porte is only 15 miles from Lake Michigan and Indiana Dunes National Park. “We do love our third coast,” says Laura Konieczny, a Realtor with Re/Max and City Councilor in La Porte. “And no sharks.” There are also six lakes within La Porte where residents can rent kayaks and jet skis, swim, hike and fish. “Kessling Park has an outdoor gym walking trail, pickleball, sledding hill and disc golf,” Konieczny says. “A multitude of free activities just at that one place.” There is plenty of other neighborhood greenspace. “There’s a park in every neighborhood,” Spoljaric says.
Friday Night Live and LakeFest among growing community events
La Porte has prioritized community events. “The city’s committed to providing fun things to do,” Spoljaric says. “Friday Night Live events happen monthly. We close the street and have music, food trucks, artists and vendors. It’s a great way to gather and celebrate what makes our downtown great.” LakeFest is another summer tradition. “We celebrate our lakes because they are part of what makes us unique,” Spoljaric says.
History is prevalent downtown. The La Porte County Courthouse, built from Lake Superior sandstone in the 1890s, is notable for its Romanesque revival architecture. It still serves a variety of judicial functions today. Residents can also explore local history at the La Porte Historical Society Museum . “There’s a deep history here but also room for growth and progress as we preserve and honor where we came from,” Konieczny says.
The Chessie Trail connects residents to lakes and culture around town
The city has built and expanded upon a significant trail system linking downtown to other neighborhoods, parks and lakes, increasing walking and biking options for residents. “A few years ago, we completed the Chessie Trail, which connected our lakes to downtown. We recently expanded it, and there are plans to take it even farther,” Spoljaric says. “It’s a great asset to our community.”
U.S. Highway 35 runs through the center of La Porte and connects to Interstate 90 about 5 miles north. The South Bend International Airport is 26 miles east. Chicago is about 70 miles northeast. “If you’re yearning for the buzzing metropolis, it’s about an hour away,” Konieczny says.
Winning baseball tradition at La Porte High School
The La Porte Community School Corporation is the local school district, serving over 6,000 students. It earns a B grade from Niche. La Porte High School has won 8 state baseball titles, the most of any Indiana high school. “There is lots of support for the schools and local athletics,” Spoljaric says. “It’s a very tangible thing.” Purdue University Northwest has a campus 11 miles from La Porte in Westville.
A side of lake views from the rooftop of Drift on Pine
Boutiques and restaurants dot La Porte’s historic downtown. “Trattoria Enzo is right in the heart of downtown,” Spoljaric says. “That’s a favorite for plenty of people.” Residents can enjoy views of Pine Lake along with fine dining fare from the rooftop of Drift on Pine, eat wood-fired pizza at the Red Door or go antiquing downtown. “La Porte is an antiquer’s dream,” Spoljaric says. “There are so many antique shops to check out.” Big-box stores are available on East Lincoln Highway and West State Road 2.
Lake effect weather can bring the snow
According to the FBI's Crime Data Explorer, La Porte’s violent crime rate tends to be higher than the national average. Property crime rates tend to be close to the national average.
La Porte’s climate is influenced by its proximity to Lake Michigan. “We do get that Lake effect weather,” Spoljaric says. Summer temps can reach the 90s. Winters can be cold, with an average annual snowfall of about 65 inches.
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