Rensselaer

Jordan serves as the midway point between Chicago and Indianapolis on Interstate 65. It has much more to offer than a bathroom break and meal stop. This quiet rural community features uncrowded living, a burgeoning arts scene and shared respect for hard work, self-sufficiency and honest living. While Jordan has a small-town feel, its location in the corn belt of Indiana has a multi-state appeal. “Cincinnati, Detroit, Saint Louis – our customers come from all over. We also get a lot of folks from Illinois because the state line is just 7 miles west,” says Kirstyn Rentschler, a tasting room associate at Carpenter Creek Cellars. Most properties in Jordan sit on wide-open lots off the main roads, with long lanes or gravel paths leading to homes. Animal corrals, barns, and storage sheds are standard. The price for a completely renovated ranch-style home with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, an attached garage and a private pond is $379,000. On average, homes in Jordan, Rensselaer sell after 8 days on the market compared to the national average of 38 days. Quality public schools serve the area. Van Rensselaer Elementary School has an overall B-plus grade on Niche. It is committed to promoting high student achievement through high expectations, a positive, safe learning environment and a staff dedicated to students. Rensselaer Middle School has an overall B grade on Niche and a student-to-teacher ratio of 12-1. Niche gives Rensselaer Central High School a B-minus overall grade and reports that 100% of students agree that they feel safe at their school. While Jordan residents need cars to get around, plenty of parks and attractions are nearby. Fair Oaks Farm delivers family fun with a heaping side of knowledge and education. This agrotourism destination features a birthing barn to view new calves and piglets, a range of interactive exhibits, a ropes course and an orchard where visitors can pick their own fresh produce. Brookside Park has several sports fields, a well-maintained playground and three large shelters for picnics and gatherings. One of northwest Indiana’s premier golf experiences, Curtis Creek Golf Course is known for its towering oak trees over 100 years old. The Rensselaer Art Walk features more than 30 murals and creative displays celebrating the area’s past, present and future. Fenwick Farms Brewing Company in Rensselaer is a popular spot to grab a beer, enjoy a hearty meal, and catch up on local conversation after an honest day’s work. Visitors are greeted with an authentic smile, a firm handshake and genuine hospitality. Embers Station, east of Potawatomi Park in downtown Rensselaer, is a brick oven bistro and craft bar that takes pride in highlighting local flavors. There is a Walmart about 5 miles away on US Route 231 for everyday shopping. Adjacent to the Walmart is Strack & Van Til food market for convenient grocery shopping.

With open fields and farmland as far as the eye can see, Newton Township, Indiana is for those who want to slow down and enjoy the simple things. One of Jasper County’s 13 townships, just east of Newton County, Newton is a spread-out, rural community with around 300 homes dotting its 35 square miles. Folks move here for the large lots and stay for the quiet atmosphere. No two homes are the same here, with modern ranch-style builds on the same street as late 19th-century farmhouses and charming log cabins. For less than $250,000, homebuyers will find three-bedroom ramblers with 1,500 square feet and half-acre lots. On the higher end of the market, there are 3,000-square-foot homes on private 10-acre lots listed for $600,000, and those looking to build will find 50-acre properties for $500,000. Seclusion and privacy are on the table here, and while residents may not be able to quickly run next door to borrow a cup of sugar, the city of Rensselaer is just a 10-minute drive away and is home to amenities, local eateries and public transportation options. Folks can pick up their groceries at the local Walmart or Strack & Van Til before grabbing a cup of Joe from The Baked Bean, where patrons can get their coffee with or without hemp infusions. A few doors down is eMbers Station, a warehouse-turned-bistro serving up pub-style fare, with menu options including spicy Italian beef sandwiches, wood-fired salmon and plant-based burgers. To satisfy their sweet tooth, guests can order a serving of s’mores casserole or a delectable slice of cake from the rotating sweets menu. Closer to home, Newton residents will find a small selection of fast-food chains at the intersection of I-65 and Route 114. Students of Newton Township can attend the public schools of the Rensselaer Central Schools Corporation, which earns a B overall grade from Niche. Rensselaer Central Primary School serves local prekindergarten through Fifth-grade students, earns an A-minus teacher rating from Niche and has a student-to-teacher ratio of 15-1. Rensselaer Middle, also with an A-minus teacher rating, provides students with a small selection of extracurricular activities to choose from, including clubs centered around science and drama. To finish out their k-12 careers, learners will head across the street to Rensselaer Central High. With a B-minus overall grade from Niche, the high school serves 550 students. Here, learners take college and career pathway courses to explore future career options that align with their interests. Local golfers can head to County Road 180 to Curtis Creek Golf Course, a premier northwest Indiana course that has been serving the community for 100 years. Century-old oak trees and verdant fairways match the township’s peaceful vibe, while challenging greens and water features bring a sense of excitement to the course. Interstate 65 runs north and south through the township, which can take them 80 miles north to Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. Rensselaer is also home to an Amtrak station, allowing for easy travel to Chi-town and Indianapolis.

Located in the heart of the Midwest, Barkley in Rensselaer, Indiana presents a distinctive fusion of rural tranquility, natural beauty and small-town allure. Characterized by expansive green pastures and fertile farmland, Barkley is conveniently located approximately 10 miles from Rensselaer and 45 minutes from Valparaiso. Residing in Barkley offers a harmonious blend of country living and urban conveniences. The town exemplifies a commitment to historic preservation while embracing modern amenities, fostering a strong sense of community togetherness. “What I appreciate is the quaintness of our small town and knowing everyone,” says lifelong resident and Clerk-Treasurer Shelby Keys. “We have the motto ‘love where you live,’ and that’s something we try to push.” Long stretches of grasslands and woodlands border the main thoroughfares, including Indiana State Road 49 (IN-49) and Indiana State Road 14 (IN-14) which both span the length of the township. A drive down the residential streets display stately homes that sit on large lots, with some resting on sprawling acreage. The diverse styles include Grand Victorian, farmhouses, bungalows, unique dome homes and spacious ranch-style homes surrounded by sprouting foliage, and mature oak and American sycamore trees. Because of the rural nature of the community, residents primarily rely on personal vehicles to navigate the area. Home prices cost approximately $250,000 to $375,000. For those seeking a property to put their stamp on, ranch-style homes, farmhouses and Cape Cods have a starting price of $115,000. Plots of land are also viable buying options and cost upwards of $25,000. There are numerous green spaces near downtown Rensselaer, including Iroquois Park, which runs next to the Iroquois River, and has a mulched play area and spiral-enclosed slides. During winter, residents use the snow-covered fields to create snow angels. Rensselaer Dog Park is a fenced-in space with play and agility features for your furry friends. During the summer, kids and adults stay cool by dipping into the La Rue Swimming Pool at Brookside Park. The park has tennis courts and hosts events during Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day. Resting along the Iroquois River, Laird's Landing/Indiana DNR Iroquois River Access is a retreat for fishing enthusiasts and canoeing aficionados alike. The 1.6-acre park provides a quiet sanctuary to launch a canoe, offering a peaceful setting to explore. With the river as a backdrop, it also serves as a spot for leisurely strolls along naturally worn pedestrian paths, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the surrounding countryside. The park features a designated picnic area. The entertainment, dining and retail hub is located in downtown Rensselaer. “My favorite restaurant is eMbers,” says Keys. “I enjoy the entire experience, from the atmosphere and food to the staff and outdoor seating in the summer.” eMbers Station Bistro & Bar has an eccentric, yet rustic décor, with its industrial ceilings, private outdoor dining igloos and the art wall made of vinyl records. The menu is just as eclectic as the furnishings. Artisan wood-fired pizza is a favored dish, with quirky pizza names such as Meat Your Maker, Transylvania 90210 and The Italian Job. For retail shopping, residents can visit College Square Plaza, which has K&G’s Overstock Outlet, Rensselaer Bowling and other shops in downtown Rensselaer. For everyday grocery needs, Strack & Van Til provides fresh and organic produce and common pantry food items, while Walmart provides additional grocery shopping and household needs. Like the dining scene, residents take their festivals, parks and art seriously. “One of the most popular festivals is the Little Cousin Jasper Festival, which happens downtown in Courthouse Square,” says Keys. The annual event is held near Potawatomi Park, with line dancers, the Lil’ King and Queen competition, and a ventriloquist as usual parts of the lineup, as well as the JC Cruisers Car Show & Cruise Night. After the car show competition, car aficionados hop into their Corvettes, street rods, muscle cars and motorcycles to ride through town in a car parade called Cruise Night. Every Thursday, car and bike enthusiasts gather at eMbers for the Cylinders and Snacks meet-up. Another anticipated festival is OktoberFest. Main Street radiates with energy on this fall night, with local eateries providing American and German dishes as well as locally sourced wine from Carpenter Creek Cellars and craft beer from Fenwick Farms Brewery. Barkley residents can send their school-age children to private and public schools. Rensselaer Central Primary School and Rensselaer Middle School, which both earn an overall Niche score of a B, provide a strong educational foundation before moving on to Rensselaer Central High School, which earns an overall Niche score of B-minus, with teachers and diversity earning the highest accolades. Rensselaer Central High celebrates a student-led podcast and media club, called Bomber TV, which also has its own YouTube channel.