Gary, Indiana
Gary, Indiana is a popular moving destination for those looking to avoid the hustle of big city living, yet still enjoy accessibility to various employment opportunity and community growth. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, Gary, Indiana is the largest city in Indiana's Lake County and situated only 30 miles southeast of Chicago, Illinois. Recognized for the city’s immense steel mills, and as the birthplace of the legendary Jackson Five, Gary has long been known as an industrial city and economic hub, offering affordable living and an advantageous setting.
Economy:
Steel manufacturing has been the largest contributor to Gary, Indiana’s economy. Although the city experienced a decline in employment, the decline was due in large part to recent automation, and today the steel industry remains an essential part of Gary, Indiana’s economy. Although the city experienced a decline in employment, the decline was due in large part to recent automation, and today the steel industry remains an essential part of Gary, Indiana’s economy. Factories have expanded to more light manufacturing such as paper products, chemicals, plastics and even food processing. The most recent industry to jolt the local economy is tourism, offering visitors casino boats, restaurants and entertainment venues available at the newly renovated Buffington Harbor at the lakefront. With all of these exciting job opportunities, it's no wonder why Gary moving companies are so busy.
History:
Founded in 1906, the city of Gary was chosen as the site for the location of what was intended to become the world's largest steel plant. The project lasted three-year, resulting in the creation of a big industry and the establishment of a city that would soon be named after the area's great visionary. The city quickly became the residence of thousands of steel workers and their families. Throughout the following years, Gary's fortunes reflected the challenges of its principal industry. Plant layoffs in the early 1960s led to a decline in the city's economic and cultural production. Today, the city continues to be a major steel producer; however, Gary is still faces economic challenges, which have been somewhat alleviated by the formation of two casinos opening along the Gary lakeshore in the early 1990s.
Tourism:
Gary is home to several arts and cultural centers. Founded in 1996, The West Side Theatre Guild offers a mixture of traditional and contemporary productions to visitors. Gary's Genesis Convention Center is a striking example of modern architecture. And the historical buildings in Gary include the Gary Bathing Beach Aquarium. Constructed in 1921 as an elaborate bathhouse, the building is one of the world's first examples of modular block construction. Indoor recreation in Gary is at its best at Buffington Harbor on the city's lakefront, where casinos are housed on two gaming boats named the Majestic Star I, and Majestic Star II. These boats are docked at a large, spacious pavilion, which includes restaurants, stores and offices. For outdoor recreation, Lake Etta Park offers 70 acres of open space, which includes a stocked fishing lake, picnic shelters, a beach for swimming, walking trails and paddleboats. The city is also blessed with dozens of smaller parks, including North Gleason Park, Marquette Park and Beach and the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Park. These parks offer guest experiences in fishing, hiking, swimming, picnicking and horseback riding along one of Lake Michigan's beaches. Catch a baseball game at the Gary's Steel Yard Stadium, where the RailCats—an independent minor league baseball team—show off their talents to the city.
Colleges/Universities:
• Indiana University Northwest
• Ivy Tech Community College
• Brown Mackie College
Interesting Facts:
• The Jackson family was all born and raised in Gary.
• The Gary sports scene revolves around two local teams: the Gary SouthShore Rail Cats and the Gary Steelheads.
• The American author Gary Hoisington publishes his books and magazine articles under the pseudonym of Gary Indiana.
Helpful Links:
• City of Gary
• Gary Dental Offices
• Gary Storage Facility
• Gary Moving Guide