ReferencesPrimary source materials related to Porter County . . . .

A multitude of reference materials concerning Porter County have been published. Most of these publications are available in the public libraries located throughout Porter County, as well as through interlibrary loan services at most libraries throughout the United States. As can be seen below, many of the publications are also available online.

Porter County Histories

American Revolution Bicentennial Committee of Porter County. 1976. A Biographical History of Porter County, Indiana. Valparaiso, Indiana: American Revolution Bicentennial Committee of Porter County, Inc. 180 p.
Notes: Besides biographical information, this book also contains historical information concerning Porter County.

Ball, Timothy H. 1900. Northwestern Indiana from 1800 to 1900: A View of Our Region Through the Nineteenth Century. Chicago, Illinois: Donohue & Henneberry. 570 p.
Notes: Timothy H. Ball was a historian of Lake County and Porter County during the 1890s and early 1900s. Ball's knowledge of the history of the region was quite extensive, and he was a prolific writer of the region's history. This is perhaps one of the best works concerning the history of the Calumet region, which embraces Porter County. Complete volumes include fold-out maps of Indiana, Northwestern Indiana, and Lake County. Unique in Ball's history is the coverage to topics not covered in other histories, such as the history of City West on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Cannon, Thomas H., H. H. Loring, and Charles J. Robb. 1927. History of The Lake and Calumet Region of Indiana: Embracing the Counties of Lake, Porter and LaPorte (two volumes). Indianapolis, Indiana: Historian Association Publishers.
Notes: Volume I, containing 840 pages, covers the history of the three counties, while Volume II, containing 827 pages, provides biographical information.

Drury, John. 1956. This is Porter County, Indiana. Chicago, Illinois: Inland Photo Company. 355 p.
Notes: Although rather limited in historical information concerning Porter County, this book contains an extensive number of aerial photographs of residences, homesteads, farms, and town throughout the county. The book's contents are broken out by township. Also included are several maps of the county. Similar books were published for adjacent counties.

Faulkner, Charles H. 1972. "The Late Prehistoric Occupation of Northwestern Indiana: A Study of the Upper Mississippi Cultures of the Kankakee Valley," Indiana Historical Society, Prehistory Research Series. Volume V, Number 1. 222 p.
Notes: A book covering the prehistory of Porter County. Includes detailed information concerning the Griesmer Site located north of the Sumava Resorts in Lake County and the Fifield Site located in Liberty Township, Porter County (south of the intersection of 900 North and 150 West along Damon Run).

Goodspeed, Weston A., and Charles Blanchard. 1882. Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana: Historical and Biographical, Illustrated. Chicago, Illinois: F. A. Battey & Company. 771 p.
Notes: This is the first comprehensive written history of Porter County. It contains numerous biographical sketches of Porter County pioneers; all Porter County biographical sketches from this book have been transcribed and are available on the Biographies page of this website. An Index to Part I of this book (covering Porter County) is also available.

Goodspeed Brothers, Publishers. 1894. Pictorial and Biographical Record of LaPorte, Porter, Lake and Starke Counties, Indiana. Chicago, Illinois: Goodspeed Brothers, Publishers. 569 p.
Notes: The number of biographies pertaining to Porter County pioneers and residents is somewhat limited in this book, although those contained within the book are quite interesting. All Porter County biographical sketches from this book have been transcribed and are available on the Biographies page of this website.

Lewis Publishing Company. 1912. History of Porter County, Indiana: A Narrative Account of its Historical Progress, its People and its Principal Interests (two volumes). Chicago, Illinois: Lewis Publishing Company.
Notes: Volume I, containing 357 pages, covers the history of Porter County, while Volume II, containing 524 pages, provides biographical information.

McAllister, J. Gilbert. 1932. "The Archaeology of Porter County," Indiana History Bulletin 10(4):1-96.
Notes: A book-length article covering the pre-Columbian period of Indiana history. Provides very specific information concerning locations throughout the county where Native American artifacts have been discovered.

Shults-Gay, Deborah H. 1923. One of the Earliest Authentic Histories of Porter County, Indiana, from 1832 to 1876. Publication location not provided: Deborah H. Shults-Gay. unpaged.
Notes: This small pamphlet was published as a fundraising effort for the American Legion. It is believed that it was published in 1923. The early history of the county is written quite well, although there are numerous errors in the spelling of names and locations. Note that this history is believed to have been written at different time periods and then compiled into a final pamphlet for publication. A significant portion of the history was written in 1875, another portion written in the mid-1880s or early 1890s, and the final portion written in 1923.

Regional Histories (Embracing Porter County)

Moore, Powell A. 1959. The Calumet Region: Indiana's Last Frontier. Indianapolis, Indiana: Indiana Historical Bureau. 654 p.
Notes: A comprehensive history of the settlement and growth of the Calumet region, including Porter County.

Schoon, Kenneth J. 2003. Calumet Beginnings: Ancient Shorelines and Settlements at the South End of Lake Michigan. Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press. 247 p.
Notes: A fascinating book covering the creation of the physical geography of the Calumet region and its effect on settlement patterns. This book also provides rather extensive historical information.

Smith, Polly, and Jennifer Mrozowski. 1999. Times Capsule: The Times' History of the Calumet Region During the 20th Century. Crown Point, Indiana: Northwest Indiana Newspapers. 280 p.
Notes: A history of the Calumet region written in a format somewhat akin to a newspaper. Includes extensive use of photographs to provide visual context to the history.

Porter County Local Histories

Anonymous. 1991. The City of Valparaiso, 1866-1991. Valparaiso, Indiana: Star Printing. 12 p.
Notes: A souvenir program for Valparaiso's 125th anniversary of incorporation..

Anonymous. 1936. Porter County Centennial. Valparaiso, Indiana: Lorenzo D. Smith. 15 p.
Notes: A souvenir program for the Porter County centennial celebration that took place from August 16 through August 21, 1936.

Anonymous. 1990. A Quarter Past One: 125th Anniversary, Kouts, Indiana. Kouts, Indiana: Star Printing. 100 p.
Notes: A souvenir program for Kouts' quasquicentennial celebration. The first 61 pages of this booklet is material taken directly from the Kouts centennial souvenir program.

Anonymous. 1955. 75th Anniversary, 1880-1955, St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Kouts, Indiana. Unknown printer. 15 p.
Notes: A souvenir program for the 75th anniversary of the founding of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Kouts. The majority of the program contains historical photographs of the church, pastors, and congregation.

Anonymous. 1980. St. Paul Lutheran Church, Kouts, Indiana, 1880 - 1980. Unknown printer. 47 p.
Notes: A souvenir program for the 100th anniversary of the founding of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Kouts. Contains considerable historical information and photographs of the church, pastors, and congregation.

Beach, Vernon L., and A. G. Kinne. 1936. History of Center Township on the Occasion of the First Centennial of Porter County, Compiled by the Schools of Center Township. Valparaiso, Indiana: privately printed. 50 p.
Notes: A rather thorough history of Center Township, largely taken from other sources materials.

The Chesterton Centennial, Inc. 1952. Chesterton Centennial 1852-1952. Chesterton, Indiana: The Chesterton Centennial, Inc. 104 p.
Notes: A program booklet published for the Chesterton centennial celebration in 1952. Very little local history is contained in this publication. Includes some photographs and extensive advertising.

Chesterton Retail Merchants' Association. 1948. The Chesterton Retail Merchants' Directory. Chesterton, Indiana: The Chesterton Tribune. 112 p.
Notes: Although this publication contains considerable advertising of retail merchants in Chesterton, it also contains quite a bit of Chesterton and Porter history not found elsewhere. Includes numerous photographs and a fold-out map.

Eggleston, Larry G. 2004. Porter County Lakes and Resorts. Chicago, Illinois: Arcadia Publishing. 128 p.
Notes: Extensive use of photographs visually representing the historical development of lakes and resorts in Porter County extending from Lake Michigan to the Kankakee River.

Greater Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce. 1979. Popcorn Festival: Orville Redenbacher Recognition Day. Valparaiso, Indiana: Greater Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce. 48 p.
Notes: Commemorative program published for the first Popcorn Festival in Valparaiso, Indiana, that took place on September 15, 1979.

History Committee. 1990. Charter Centennial: Hebron, Indiana, 1890-1990. Hebron, Indiana: Star Printing. 120 p.
Notes: The commemorative booklet published for the Hebron charter centennial celebration that took place on in 1990. This is the most comprehensive publication covering the history of the town of Hebron.

Kouts Centennial Committee. 1965. Kouts Is Five In Score -- Ready For A Hundred More. Kouts, Indiana: Kouts Centennial Committee. 181 p.
Notes: The commemorative booklet published for the Kouts centennial celebration that took place on September 3-6, 1965. This is the most comprehensive publication covering the history of the town of Kouts.

Lane, James B. (editor). 1991. A History of Portage from Indian Days to Contemporary Times. Steel Shavings, Volume 20. Indiana University Northwest. 96 p.
Notes: Embraces information concerning the formation, development, and history of Portage, Indiana. Includes interviews and photographs.

Meister, Dick, and Ken Martin. 2014. Ogden Dunes. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing. 127 p.
Notes: Numerous images with associated text covering the historical development of the community of Ogden Dunes.

Morrow, Jim. 2001. Beverly Shores: A Suburban Dunes Resort. Chicago, Illinois: Arcadia Publishing. 127 p.
Notes: A rather comprehensive history of Beverly Shores, Indiana, as well as an extensive use of photographs.

Mullins, Lanette. 2002. Valparaiso: Looking Back, Moving Forward. Chicago, Illinois: Arcadia Publishing. 127 p.
Notes: A photographic history of Porter County that tends to cover more modern times than early development of the county. This is a excellent complement to the history of Valparaiso published by George E. Neeley in 1989.

Neeley, George E. 1989. Valparaiso: A Pictorial History. St. Louis, Missouri: G. Bradley Publishing, Inc. 200 p.
Notes: A superb book covering the history of Valparaiso, Indiana. Includes the extensive use of photographs to provide visual context to the city's history. A limited run of 2,000 copies of this book were published.

Newman, James, and Margaret Doyle. 1998. Dune Acres 75th Anniversary Celebration: The History of Dune Acres. Publication location not provided: Dune Acres Historical Commission. 36 p.
Notes: A small booklet published for the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Dune Acres.

Norman, Dennis, and James Wright. 2003. Portage Township. Chicago, Illinois: Arcadia Publishing. 127 p.
Notes: Extensive use of photographs visually representing the historical development of Portage Township in Porter County.

Porter County Sesquicentennial Commission, Inc. 1986. Porter County Sesquicentennial: 1836-1986. Publication location not provided: Porter County Sesquicentennial Commission, Inc. 110 p.
Notes: A commemorative souvenir book published for the 150th anniversary of the creation of Porter County. Includes an extensive number of photographs, as well as brief histories an a variety of subjects.

Thomas, Joseph (editor). 1976. A History of Ogden Dunes. Chicago, Illinois: Ad-Craft Printers. 40 p.
Notes: A history of Ogden Dunes published approximately 50 years after the community's founding. Also includes historical information regarding the surrounding area prior to the community's founding.

The Valparaiso Bicentennial Committee. 1976. The Vale of Paradise, Valparaiso, Indiana: Photographic History of Valparaiso, Indiana from the Turn of the Century. Valparaiso, Indiana: Boy-Conn Printers, Inc. unpaged.
Notes: A photographic history of Valparaiso, including many "then and now" photographs.

Westchester Public Library. 1999. Westchester Township. Chicago, Illinois: Arcadia Publishing. 124 p.
Notes: A photographic history of Westchester Township in Porter County, embracing the towns and villages of Chesterton, Porter, Baillytown, Dunes Acres, and Waverly.

Williams, Nettie Dowdell. 1916. Porter County's Celebration of Indiana's Centennial of Statehood. Publisher unknown. 38 p.
Notes: A souvenir program of Porter County's celebration of Indiana's Centennial. The program contains numerous pieces of music and songs apparently played and sung during the week-long celebration.

Historical Publications Related to Porter County

Anonymous. 1971. The Guide to Valparaiso. Valparaiso, Indiana: Unknown. 32 p.
Notes: A booklet concerning Valparaiso and the surrounding area likely published by the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce. The booklet includes a directory of area businesses.

Anonymous. 1959. Trinity Lutheran Church 25th Anniversary. Valparaiso, Indiana: Trinity Lutheran Church. 12 p.
Notes: A small booklet covering the history and current status of Trinity Lutheran Church in Valparaiso, Indiana, on the occasion of its 25th anniversary.

Black, Harry G. 1985. Historic Tales and Trails in Northwest Indiana. Hammond, Indiana: HMB Publications. 63 p.
Notes: Provides brief details concerning the history of several communities in Northwest Indiana, as well as some information concerning historical figures. 

Bowers, John O. 1922. The Old Bailly Homestead. Gary, Indiana: John O. Bowers. 13 p.
Notes: Historical information concerning the Bailly family and Bailly Homestead located in Westchester Township.

Clemenson, A. Berle, Kenneth W. Bennett, and Catherine H. Blee. 1976. Historic Structure Report, Bailly Cemetery: Historical, Architectural, and Archeological Data, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Indiana. United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Historic Preservation Division. Denver, Colorado: United States Department of the Interior. 85 p.
Notes: A government report concerning the history of the Bailly family and Bailly Homestead located in Westchester Township.

Dodge, George M. 1926. Announcement of Dodge's Telegraph, Railway Accounting and Radio (Wireless) Institute. Valparaiso, Indiana: Dodge's Telegraph, Railway Accounting and Radio (Wireless) Institute. 48 p.
Notes: A detailed booklet promoting the telegraph, accounting, and radio institute owned and operated by George M. Dodge of Valparaiso. The booklet contains considerable information about Valparaiso.

Doty, G. W. (editor). 1898. The College Current: Souvenir Number Dedicated to the N.I.N.S. In Memory of Silver Anniversary. Valparaiso, Indiana: Wade Brothers and Wise. 35 p.
Notes: The College Current was a publication of the Northern Indiana Normal School, a predecessor of Valparaiso University. This is the August 6, 1898 (Volume 1, Number 16), souvenir issue of the publication commemorating the 25th anniversary of the normal school. There is a considerable amount of biographical information contained in this issue, as well as information concerning local businesses.

Gar, Hubert. undated. East Hall: A Story of the Northern Indiana Normal School. Publication location not provided: J. M. Traughber. 504 p.
Notes: A rare book believed to be published between 1890 and 1899, it provides rather detailed observations of life at the Northern Indiana Normal School, which later became present day Valparaiso University.

Erickson, Charles Gotthard. 1904. Local Poems. Publication located no provided: Charles Gotthard Erickson. 109 p.
Notes: A rare book of poems, self-published by the author, concerning collegiate life at Valparaiso University. The author was a student of Valparaiso University at the time when the poems were penned. Many of the buildings of the university, special locations (e.g., Sager's Lake, Lover's Repose), and well-known faculty members and administrators are mentioned in the poems. Numerous photographs of Valparaiso and Valparaiso University are also contained in this book.

Historical Landmarks Foundation of Indiana. 1991. Porter County Interim Report: Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Inventory. Indianapolis, Indiana: Pierson Printing Company. 108 p.
Notes: An excellent source of information of historic sites and structures throughout Porter County. While the book is titled as an interim report, no final report is known to have been published.

Hoffman, Charles Ferno. 1835. A Winter in the West. By a New Yorker (two volumes). New York, New York: Harper & Brothers. 683 p.
Notes: Numerous publishers have reprinted this classic travelogue. Of particular interest are pages 224 through 241 in Volume I, which details Hoffman's travel through the northern portion of Porter County. This is one of the earliest accounts published regarding Porter County.

Howe, Frances. 1881. Memoir of Rose Howe. Chicago, Illinois: Fergus Printing Company. 64 p.
Notes: Provides a an examination into the life of Rose Howe, granddaughter of Joseph Bailly. Joseph bailly was the first permanent white settler of Porter County, Indiana. A significant amount of material in this book represent letter written to Frances Howe, Rose's daughter, expressing condolences related to the Rose's death.

Howe, Frances R. 1907. The Story of a French Homestead in the Old Northwest. Columbus, Ohio: Press of Nitschke Brothers. 131 p.
Notes: Written by Frances R. Howe, a direct descendant of Joseph Bailly, this book outlines the history of the Baillytown area along the Little Calumet River. Numerous publishers have reprinted this book; these later editions include a genealogy of the Bailly family, as well as maps and diagrams not published in the original.

Lane, James B. (editor). 1998. Tales of Lake Michigan and the Northwest Indiana Dunes. Steel Shavings, Volume 28. Indiana University Northwest. 144 p.
Notes: Embraces information concerning the development and use of the Indiana Dunes from a historical perspective. Includes interviews and photographs.

Latrobe, Charles Joseph. 1836. The Rambler in North America: MDCCCXXXII.-MDCCCXXXIII. Volume II. London, England: R. B. Seeley and W. Burnside. 336 p.
Notes: LETTER X of this book recalls Latrobe's trip from Detroit to Chicago. In particular Latrobe provides a somewhat detailed description of the southern shore of Lake Michigan and the Calemeck River (Calumet River). In one paragraph, Latrobe writes: "We now got on five miles further to the Calemeck Creek, where we had another halt, and a feud, arising from one of the party wishing to remain here all night, rather than commence at that period of the day, the passage of a tract which we were told would be upwards of thirty miles of most dreary road along the southern margin of Lake Michigan, without the possibility of shelter."

Longest, David E. 2007. Railroad Depots of Northern Indiana. Chicago, Illinois: Arcadia Publishing. 125 p.
Notes: Predominantly a book of photographs of railroad depots situated in northern Indiana, including numerous depots from Porter County.

Miller, Martha. 1980. Joseph Bailly, Dunes Settler. Chesterton, Indiana: Millar Publications. Unpaginated.
Notes: A brief historical sketch of the life of Joseph Bailly and the fur trading enterprise he operated in Westchester Township. Booklet is targeted toward young readers.

McClure, Samuel S. 1914. My Autobiography. New York, New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company. 266 p.
Notes: Samuel S. McClure's youth was spent in Porter County; he later became the founder and publisher of McClure's, a rather well-known illustrated monthly magazine focusing on political and literary content that was a primary rival of The Atlantic Monthly. The magazine began publication in June 1893, and ceased publication in March 1929. Due to financial problems and pressure from creditors, Samuel S. McClure sold his interest in the magazine in 1911. Pulitzer Prize winning author Willa S. Cather was editor of McClure's, and she has long been suspected as being the "ghost writer" of Samuel S. McClure's autobiography. Chapters two through four of McClure's autobiography discuss his youth in Porter County. He briefly discusses his time spent teaching at a country school in Liberty Township in chapter two. This school was the Phares School, which was located on the northwest corner of present day Meridian Road and County Road 700 North.

Ogorek, Cynthia L. 2003. Along the Calumet River. Chicago, Illinois: Arcadia Publishing. 128 p.
Notes: This book provides a historical coverage of the history of the Calumet and Little Calumet Rivers in Porter County and Lake County.

Redenbacher, Orville. 1975. The Popping Corn Book: Orville Redenbacher's Authorized and Complete Popcorn Lover's Guide. Valparaiso, Indiana: Hunt-Wesson Foods, Inc. 30 p.
Notes: A short book describing the history of popping corn and, in particular, Orville Redenbacher popping corn. A short biographical sketch of Orville Redenbacher is included near the end of the book.

Schiemann, Olga Mae. 1955. From a Bailly Point of View. Duneland Historical Society 1(5):1-95.
Notes: Schiemann provides a detailed overview of Joseph Bailly and his descedants. Joseph Bailly was the first permanent white settler of Porter County, Indiana. Additional information concerning the Bailly Homstead is included in Schiemann's paper.

Stephens, Theodore. 1956. Bailly Cemetery -- Roman Style. Duneland Historical Society 2(4):1-6.
Notes: Stephens was directly involved in a complete transformation of the Bailly Cemetery, which was directed and funded by Frances R. Howe, great granddaughter of Joseph Bailly. Bailly was the first permanent white settler of Porter County, Indiana.

Stimpson, George W. 1921. The Story of Valparaiso University: Including an Account of the Recent Period of Turbulence. Hammond, Indiana: W. B. Conkey Company. 167 p.
Notes: A book concerning the history of Valparaiso University. A brief history is also included of the Valparaiso Male and Female College and the Valparaiso Normal School, predecessor institutions of Valparaiso University.

Strietelmeier, John. 1959. Valparaiso's First Century: A Centennial History of Valparaiso University. Valparaiso, Indiana: Valparaiso University. 191 p.
Notes: This book provides a history of Valparaiso University, from its origination as the Valparaiso Male & Female College through its present condition in 1959.

Sullivan, James R. 1958. Historic Site Survey: The Bailly Homestead, Porter County, Indiana. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: United States Department of the Interior, National Parks Service, Region Five. 40 p.

Valparaiso Woman's Club. 1945. 50th Anniversary, Valparaiso Woman's Club, 1895-1945. Valparaiso, Indiana: Lorenzo D. Smith. 47 p.
Notes: A commemorative booklet describing the history of the Valparaiso Woman's Club. It appears that the booklet was provided at a celebration of the club's fiftieth anniversary on February 14, 1945.

Vetter, Lillian Nickel. 1956. A Nickel's Worth. New York, New York: Vantage Press. 48 p.
Notes: Chronicles the story of an American family, the Nickels, moving from Germany to Chesterton, Indiana.

Wolf, John D. 1999. With Captain David Porter or How We Got Our Name. Valparaiso, Indiana: Home Mountain Publishing Company. 10 p.
Notes: A pamphlet detailing the life of Admiral David Porter and connecting him to the naming of Valparaiso, Indiana.

Porter County Plat Books

A. I. Silander and Company. 1928. Plat Book: Porter County, Indiana. Rockford, Illinois: The Thrift Press. 58 p.

County Plat and Directory Company, Inc. 1969. Porter County, Indiana: Official Farm Plat Book and Directory. LaPorte, Indiana: County Plat and Directory Company, Inc. 36 p.

George A. Ogle and Company. 1906. Standard Atlas of Porter County, Indiana: Including a Plat Book of the Villages, Cities and Townships of the County. Chicago, Illinois: George A. Ogle and Company. 55 p.

George A. Ogle and Company. 1921. Standard Atlas of Porter County, Indiana: Including a Plat Book of the Villages, Cities and Townships of the County. Chicago, Illinois: George A. Ogle and Company. 61 p.

Hardesty, A. G. 1876. Illustrated Historical Atlas of Porter County, Indiana. Valparaiso, Indiana: A. G. Hardesty. 90 p.

Lee and Lee. 1895. Lee and Lee's Atlas of Porter County, Indiana. Chicago, Illinois: Lee and Lee. 81 p.

Porter County Abstract Company, Inc. Circa 1938. Plat Book of Porter County, Indiana. Valparaiso, Indiana: Porter County Abstract Company, Inc. 20 p.

Town and Country Publishing Company, Inc. 1973. Porter County, Indiana: Plat Book and Index of Owners. LaPorte, Indiana: Town and Country Publishing Company, Inc. 48 p.

Town and Country Publishing Company, Inc. 1976. Porter County, Indiana: Plat Book, Index of Owners, City Street Maps. LaPorte, Indiana: Town and Country Publishing Company, Inc. 56 p.

Town and Country Publishing Company, Inc. 1979. Porter County, Indiana: Plat Book, Index of Owners, City Street Maps. LaPorte, Indiana: Town and Country Publishing Company, Inc. 56 p.

Town and Country Publications, Inc. 1988. Porter County, Indiana: Official Plat Book 1988. LaPorte, Indiana: Town and Country Publications, Inc. 64 p.

Publications Related to the Indiana Dunes

Bailey, E. Stillman. 1917. The Sand Dunes of Indiana: The Story of An American Wonderland Told by Camera and Pen. Chicago, Illinois: A. C. McClurg & Company. 165 p.
Notes: Includes brief historical information concerning the Indiana Dunes, but is largely a natural history of the area.

Brennan, George A. 1923. The Wonders of the Dunes. The Geographic Society of Chicago, Bulletin Number 8. Indianapolis, Indiana: The Bobbs-Merrill Company. 326 p.
Notes: A fairly comprehensive history of the Indiana Dunes covering the prehistoric period, Native Americans, the French occupation, Joseph Bailly, early settlers, and the promotion of the creation of a national park.

Cottman, George S. 1930. Indiana Dunes State Park: A History and Description. Indianapolis, Indiana: State of Indiana, Department of Conservation. 67 p.
Notes: A rather comprehensive history of the Indiana Dunes area..

Cressey, George B. 1928. The Indiana Sand Dunes and Shore Line of the Lake Michigan Basin. The Geographic Society of Chicago, Bulletin Number 8. Chicago, Illinois: The University of Chicago Press. 80 p.
Notes: A detailed study of the geography and geologic development of the Indiana Dunes region.

Department of Conservation. 1932. Trails in Indiana Dunes State Park. Indianapolis, Indiana: State of Indiana, Department of Conservation. 2 p.
Notes: Large foldout publication describing the trails located within the Indiana Dunes State Park.

Doeserich, Emma, Mary Sherburne, and Anna B. Wey. 1941. Outdoors with the Prairie Club. Chicago, Illinois: Paquin Publishers. 354 p.
Notes: Provides historical context to the Prairie Club of Chicago, including information related to Baillytown and the Indiana Dunes.

Maloney, Cathy Jean. 2001. The Prairie Club of Chicago. Chicago, Illinois: Arcadia Publishing. 128 p.
Notes: A history of the Prairie Club of Chicago, which includes their use of the Indiana Dunes.

Outdoor and Recreation Bureau. 1927. Descriptive Map of the Famous Dunes of Indiana: The Wonderland of America. Chicago, Illinois: Poole Brothers, Inc. 6 p.
Notes: A multifold brochure about the Indiana Dunes published by the Outdoor and Recreation Bureau. This bureau was maintained by the Chicago, South Shore and South Bend Railroad; The Peoples Gas, Light and Coke Company; Commonwealth Edison Company; Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Railroad Company; Chicago, Aurora and Elgin Railroad; Public Service Company of Northern Illinois; Chicago Rapid Transit Company; South Shore Motor Coach Company; and Midlands Utility Company.

Schoon, Kenneth J. 2013. Dreams of Duneland: A Pictorial History of the Indiana Dunes Region. Bloomington, Indiana: Quarry Books. 286 p.
Notes: Extensive information concerning the historical development of the Indiana Dunes region, as well as information concerning natural history. Extensive use of photographs and other images that enhance textual information.

Schoon, Kenneth J. 2016. Shifting Sands: The Restoration of the Calumet Area. Bloomington, Indiana: Quarry Books. 298 p.
Notes: A rather extensive historic overview of the Calumet Region located in Northwest Indiana. In particular, this book focuses on the industrial development of the area, the resulting environmental impacts that this development wrought, and the restoration programs that have taken place (and are taking place) to improve the environmental quality of the area.

Stevens, Thomas Wood. 1917. The Dunes Under Four Flags: An Historical Pageant of the Dunes of Indiana. Chicago, Illinois: The Dunes Pageant Association. 40 p.
Notes: This booklet is a program, similar to a play program, that was published for the Pageant of the Dunes that took place outdoors on May 30 and June 3, 1917, at the Indiana Dunes.

Publications Related to the Kankakee River

Bartlett, Charles Henry. 1904. Tales of Kankakee Land. New York, New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. 232 p. [New York Times book review]
Notes: A historical account of the Kankakee River, predominantly from the period of Native American occupation to first settlement.

Indiana Department of Conservation. 1942. The Old Kankakee: The Kankakee Basin Plan. Publication location not provided: Indiana Division, Izaak Walton League of America. 15 p.
Notes: Overview of plan to restore portions of the Kankakee River basin to its original condition to support fish and wildlife conservation, particularly migratory birds.

Isaacs, Marion C. 1964. The Kankakee: River of History. Publication location not provided: publisher not provided. 91 p.
Notes: A historical account of social life and customs along the Kankakee River believed to have been published in the 1960s.

The Kankakee Valley Historical Society. 2005. The Kankakee River Almanac. St. John, Indiana: R&B Fine Printing. 100 p.
Notes: Expansive coverage of Kankakee River sites, events, and people associated with the river.

Meyer, Wesley. 1979. The Story of Kankakee Township: A Bicentennial Look. Rensselaer, Indiana: Kurtz Printing Company. 64 p.
Notes: Excellent source of information concerning the history of Kankakee Township in Jasper County, Indiana. Includes information concerning the Kankakee River and Dunn's Bridge.

Nichols, Fay Folsom. 1965. The Kankakee: Chronicle of an Indiana River and Its Fabled Marshes. Brooklyn, New York: T. Gaus' Sons. 209 p.
Notes: A comprehensive history of the Kankakee River, including information about trappers, hunters, settlers, and Native Americans. Several tales concerning the river are also included in the book.

Reed Earl H. 1920. Tales of A Vanishing River. New York, New York: John Lane Company. 266 p.
Notes: A collection of thirteen interwoven stories that are both humorous and historical in content.

Schmal, Richard C. 2009. Tales of the People and Places of the Olde Kankakee River. Kouts, Indiana: The Kankakee Valley Historical Society. 88 p.
Notes: Excellent source of information concerning the individuals and events associated with the Kankakee River prior to the 1920s.

Werich, J. Lorenzo. 1920. Pioneer Hunters of the Kankakee. Logansport, Indiana: Chronicle Printing Company. 197 p.
Notes: An excellent account of stories related to hunting, fishing, and trapping along the Kankakee River. Includes several photographs.

Wilcox. 2003. The Diary of a Kankakee River Guide. Kouts, Indiana: The Kankakee Valley Historical Society. Unpaginated.
Notes: The diary entries of George Wilcox from January 1916 through June 1917 provide a glimpse of early activities that took place on the Kankakee River.

Historical Fiction Publications

Altrocchi, Julia Cooley. 1940. Wolves Against the Moon. New York, New York: The MacMillan Company. 572 p.
Notes: Altrocchi traces the life of of Joseph Bailly, the first permanent white settler of Porter County. A significant amount of factual information in this novel is true. However, Altrocchi fails to mention that Bailly had been previously married prior to his marriage to Marie Lefevre. In addition, the death of Bailly's son, Robert, is factually incorrect. The novel indicates that Robert was accidentally stabbed by a toy sword being wielded by his sister when in fact he died as a result of contracting typhoid fever.

Norton, Roy, and William C. Hallowell. 1904. Guilty: The Magazine-Gun Tragedy. Chicago, Illinois: Laird & Lee. 259 p.
Notes: A fascinating historical dime store novel based on the real "car barn bandits" of Chicago. The bandits were eventually captured in a dugout hideout in the Indiana Dunes of Porter County. The book covers the three bandit's capture, trial, verdict, and hangings.

Reed, Earl H. 1916. The Dune Country. New York, New York: John Lane Company. 288 p.
Notes: Tales of set in the Indiana Dunes country.

Reed, Earl H. 1918. Sketches in Duneland. New York, New York: John Lane Company. 281 p.
Notes: A interesting book of tales of various individuals set in the Indiana Dunes country.

Reed, Earl H. 1926. The Silver Arrow and Other Indian Romances of the Dune Country. Chicago, Illinois: Reilly & Lee. 237 p.
Notes: Tales of Indiana romances set in the Indian Dunes country are told in this book.

Porter County Public Library, Microfilm Collection

The Genealogy Department of the Porter County Public Library has an extensive collection of microfilmed material available regarding Porter County. Below is a list (not comprehensive) of Porter County related microfilm available at the library.

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