La Porte, Indiana, June 11, 2007
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All Photographs Copyright © 2007-2012 by Robert E Pence
La Porte's depot stands beside the tracks once traveled by the New York Central Railroad's legendary Twentieth Century Limited. It had becomedecrepit, and a few years ago it looked like a sure candidate for one of the railroad's midnight raids, where they come in with a bulldozer and a backhoe
in the wee hours of the morning in order to not attract attention from preservationists. The building's red clay tile roof has been restored and the exterior
and surroundings have been cleaned up and refurbished and work is ongoing to renovate and update the interior and mechanicals. It will become home
for the Chamber of Commerce and possibly offices and public events.
The historic district has some impressive homes and a pleasant character with big trees.
A.J. Rumely Sr. was the last surviving child of company founder Meinrad Rumely. He died in 1963.
This nicely-detailed place is a work in progress. I spoke briefly with the owner; he said it's sometimesslow going, but they'll get there.
I love the windows, the tile roof and the general style of this place. If it were mine, though, I'd be concerned about the damage those vines are doing to the stucco.
La Porte has a strong German heritage.
Soldiers Memorial Park encompasses 556 acres of mostly-natural land and fronts on Stone Lake. The park offers a swimming beach, a picnic shelter,and Cummins Lodge, an enclosed building.
Goodnight from the ducks at Stone Lake.
Memorial Day, 2010
I spent most of Memorial Day holed up in my motel in La Porte, waiting out a relentless soaking rain. After the rain stopped in late afternoon, I set out toexplore some residential and industrial parts of the city that I hadn't yet seen. The one-time New York Central rails, once the route of the Twentieth
Century Limited and now owned by Norfolk Southern, cross the north side of La Porte. Railroads appear to be recovering from the effects of recession,
and there's a lot of traffic on this line.
Polish National Alliance - Mmmm! Fish fry! Does one have to be Polish to attend?
Former Evangelical Lutheran Church, now a community playhouse.
Across the street, Evangelical Lutheran School.
This house looks like it may be quite old by Midwestern US standards, possibly wiht an addition that is old, too.
