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A brief local’s guide on what to see in Valparaiso. This small city in Northwest Indiana is a great place to spend a day. It’s full of amazing restaurants, nice shops, and is family-friendly.
Courthouse Square
The focal point of downtown Valparaiso is Courthouse Square. It’s surrounded by historic buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many of the buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places.
Porter County Courthouse
The Porter County Courthouse, which was built between 1883 and 1885, occupies the center of the square. It replaced an older courthouse built in 1838. The courthouse was built with a clock tower standing 168 feet tall but it was lost in a fire on December 27, 1934. The building we see today is from a restoration completed in 1937.
Porter County Museum
On the south side of the square is the Porter County Museum (PoCo Muse), which contains exhibits related to the history of Porter County, Indiana. The museum was founded in 1916 and officially opened in the old county jail and sheriff’s house on May 11, 1975. It remained there until 2020 and reopened across the street in a much smaller space on May 19, 2022.
The Porter County Museum is typically open Tuesday through Sunday from 11am to 5pm. Admission is free but donations are encouraged (as of February 2024). The museum maintains one rotating and one permanent exhibit as well as programs and activities throughout the year. It’s one of the finest small museums I’ve ever visited.
Permanent Collection of the Porter County Museum
The permanent collection features a rotating exhibit of some of the most interesting and important artifacts significant to local history. They include furniture, tools, photos, clothing, musical instruments, furniture, and strange items belonging to former Porter County residents.
One of the most peculiar items is Daisy, the pet dog of Helen Slanger of Portage Township. Daisy was hit by a car and killed in the early 1930s, but was preserved by a local taxidermist. She was donated to the museum in 1974 and restored by taxidermist Jim Phares of Westville in 2017.
A silk wedding dress worn by Virginia Lee Lamb of Valparaiso is another interesting artifact. She wore it at her wedding on September 12, 1948, to John Jefferson Miller Jr. of Chesterton. Miller served in the US Navy during World War II, and the dress was made from parachutes brought home from the war as a souvenir.
An original 1893 Hillstrom organ also belongs to the collection. C. O. Hillstrom was born in Sweden and moved to Chicago in 1869. He established the Hillstrom Organ Company in Chesterton in 1880. His organs were popular in homes and churches. According to posted information, they were advertised as “mouse-proof and light-weight”.
Another item of note is perhaps one of the most historic. An account book belonging to Joseph Bailly, a fur trader, lists all items bought and sold between 1799 and 1802 at Fort Michilimackinac in northern Michigan. Bailly was born in Quebec in 1772 and was the first white settler in Porter County. He established a homestead and trading post along the Little Calumet River in 1822. The book was written entirely in French.
Robert Cain Gallery
The small Robert Cain Gallery, just opposite the entrance, contains a seasonal collection of works by local artists. The gallery honors M. Robert Cain (1930-2022), a respected Valparaiso High School art teacher.
Lowenstine WWII Roll of Honor
Hidden in a hallway leading to the storage area is the Lowenstine WWII Roll of Honor. It was erected in November 1943 by members of the Charles Pratt Post #94 of the American Legion to honor Valparaiso residents who contributed to the war effort during World War II. Local business owner Mandel Lowenstine was the main benefactor. The memorial stood on the northeast lawn of the Porter County Courthouse from 1943 to 1973 and has been on display at the Porter County Museum since May 1975. It contains 1,146 names.
Temporary Exhibits at the Porter County Museum
I’ve had the opportunity to visit two temporary exhibits at the Porter County Museum. The first was in winter 2022-23 and consisted of fossilized mastodon bones. They were dug up by Myron Benedict on his farm in Boone Grove in 1949. The tusk was prominently on display at the former location across the street.
Another temporary exhibit running between October 2024 and April 2025 covered the Valparaiso and Northern Railway (V&N). This electric interurban train line began service in 1910 and was intended as a feeder line to the Chicago New York Electric Air Line Railroad. It connected Valparaiso to Chesterton with stops at the lake resorts between the two towns, serving until 1938.
Exhibits at the Old Location
The following photos are of the exhibits and artifacts at the old location. That space was much bigger and contained several themed rooms, including natural history and fossils in the former jail. Some of the items pictured here have been on display at the current location.
Other rooms covered the history of Porter County, which was founded on February 5, 1836, and named for Commodore David Porter (1780-1843). There was information about the life of David Porter, the arrival of the railroad, women’s suffrage, and the struggle between the steel mills and dunes.
Hundreds of artifacts once belonging to locals were kept in other rooms. Each artifact has an interesting back story, and some were unique to the area.
Another room highlighted the contributions of locals to World War II. Uniforms, items captured from Nazi and Japanese enemies, photos, and newspaper clippings were all on display.
Finally, a section of the museum was dedicated to some famous locals. They included astronaut Mike Brown, originally from Valparaiso, and comic strip artist Dale Messick (1906-2005).
Messick, born Dalia Messick in South Bend, grew up in Hobart and worked out of Ogden Dunes. She created Brenda Star, Reporter, which she illustrated and scripted from June 30, 1940, until her retirement from illustration in 1980. Messick continued scripting for another two years, and the comic ran until January 2, 2011.
Broncho John Sullivan Exhibit
One of the most intriguing exhibits was a room dedicated to John Harrington Sullivan (1859-1951), better known as Broncho John Sullivan. He was originally a scout in the West, joined Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show as a stuntman, and eventually started his own show. Sullivan settled in Valpo in the early 1900s and donated his entire collection to the Porter County Historical Society 2 years before his death.
Old Sheriff’s House and Jail
On the southeast corner of the square is the old Porter County sheriff’s house and jail. The sheriff’s house was a private residence built in 1860 for Franklin Hunt, a wealthy local merchant. The Porter County Sheriff lived there from March 1872 to January 1975. After that, it served as the Porter County Museum from May 1975 to 2020.
The jail was added to the house in 1871 and opened in March 1872. Before that, from 1850 to 1871, prisoners were taken to LaPorte County. In 1974, a new county jail opened and this jail officially closed. Because the sheriff’s house was attached to the jail, the sheriff had to be on duty 24 hours a day. His wife was required to cook meals for the prisoners and act as matron when female prisoners were present.
Memorial Opera House
Next door to the museum is the Memorial Opera House. It was built in 1893 and has had a colorful history. William Jennings Bryan (1860-1925) spoke there in 1896, John Philip Sousa (1854-1932) led a concert there in 1898, and the Marx Brothers performed there in 1919. Beulah Bondi (1888-1981), the woman who played the mother of Jimmy Stewart (1908-1997) in It’s a Wonderful Life, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, and two other films, was from Valpo and started her acting career at the Opera House at the age of seven. Visit the official website for a calendar of events.
Central Park Plaza
To the west of the square is Central Park Plaza. It has a band shell used for summer concerts, outdoor movies, and during the town’s Popcorn Festival, held annually the first Saturday after Labor Day since 1979. The festival is one of the best in the state, offering several events, a parade, contests, booths with crafts and food, and live music throughout the day.
The area in front of the band shell contains a splash pad. It’s a popular place to bring kids in the summer. There are also several other events that take place throughout the year, including markets and fitness classes.
On the north end of the park is a statue of Orville Redenbacher (1907-1995), the popcorn magnate who was based in Valparaiso with his business partner, Charlie Bowman (1919-2009). A small plaque on a brick column tells their story.
Urschel Pavilion
Urschel Pavilion is across the street. It hosts ice skating in the winter and has picnic tables in the summer.
Bill Costas Family Plaza
Next to the pavilion is the Bill Costas Family Plaza. It’s a small but pleasant area with benches and tables. Locals often go there to have their lunch breaks outside.
Historical Markers
In front of the Valparaiso City Hall on Lincolnway is an original marker from the Lincoln Highway. The Lincoln Highway was dedicated on October 31, 1913, and runs coast-to-coast for 3,389 miles, from Times Square in New York City to Lincoln Park in San Francisco. In 1928, the Boy Scouts of America placed concrete markers along the route. Only a handful of these original markers survive, and this one was gifted to the city in 2006 as a reminder of Valparaiso’s connection to the road.
To the right of the Lincoln Highway marker is a historical marker for the Old Sac Trail. It was dedicated in 1916 by the William Henry Harrison chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The Old Sac Trail ran east to west across northern Indiana and Illinois. Native Americans used the trail for trade, settlers used it to head west, and the military used it for troop movement.
Mural
A block east of the square on Michigan Avenue is a huge mural created by Wayne Sydni in 2004. It’s fun to walk by and features some comedic scenes and local humor.
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso University is a private Lutheran university east of downtown. It’s most famous for its men’s basketball team. The university was founded by the Methodist Church in 1859 as Valparaiso Male and Female College. It was one of the first coeducational colleges in the nation. Because many of the male students enrolled in the army during the Civil War, and a bill providing state support for education passed in 1867, the school couldn’t stay competitive and closed down in 1871.
Henry Baker Brown reopened the school in 1873 as the Northern Indiana Normal School and Business Institute. It was renamed Valparaiso College in 1900 and was granted university status in 1906. In 1907, Valparaiso University was the second largest school in the nation behind Harvard. Due to its economical enrollment fees, it gained a positive national reputation and was dubbed “The Poor Man’s Harvard”. Unfortunately, the death of Brown and World War I, among other factors, forced the school into bankruptcy.
The next president, Horace Evans, tried to settle the school’s debts but was unsuccessful. He asked the Indiana State Legislature to make Valparaiso University public but his request was denied. A dubious point in school history came in 1923, when the Ku Klux Klan made an offer to buy the school and expand it. Fortunately, the deal was stopped due to so-called “legal technicalities”.
The Lutheran Church ended up purchasing VU and took over in July 1925. Under their leadership, the school purchased more land, built more buildings, and expanded enrollment as well as international collaboration. On an unfortunate note, the once-famous law school was censured by the American Bar Association in 2016 and permanently closed in October 2018.
Chapel of the Resurrection
The Chapel of the Resurrection, built between 1956 and 1959, is the largest chapel on a college campus in the country and the second largest in the world. It was designed by Charles Stade and Associates of Park Ridge, Illinois. Concerts and commencement ceremonies are held there in addition to religious services. The chapel has a capacity of about 2,000.
The Chapel of the Resurrection features 95 foot high stained glass windows known as the Munderloh Windows. They were designed by German artist Peter Dohmen (1904-1977) and donated by Mr. and Mrs. Alfred C. Munderloh of Detroit, Michigan. The Redemption Window in the center tells the stories of the New Testament and was dedicated on February 6, 1951. The Creation Window, which tells the stories of the Old Testament, is to the right. The Sanctification Window, which covers symbols from the early church to modern Christian life, is to the left. The flanking windows were dedicated on January 10, 1965.
The Reddel Organ is a pipe organ built by Herman Schlicker of Buffalo, New York. It was dedicated on September 27, 1959, and enlarged from 1995 to 1996 by Dobson Pipe Organ Builders of Lake City, Iowa.
Brauer Museum of Art
VU has an excellent art museum, the Brauer Museum of Art, which has over 2,500 pieces in its collection. Works include pieces by Andy Warhol (1928-1987), Ansel Adams (1902-1984), and Georgia O’Keeffe (1887-1986). It also contains the largest known collection of works by Junius R. Sloan (1827-1900). The museum is typically open Monday through Friday and admission is free (as of January 2025).
Valpo Basketball
Valparaiso University’s Beacons have built a solid reputation in the college basketball world with several successful seasons. One of the most unforgettable buzzer-beaters in NCAA Tournament history occurred in 1998, when Bryce Drew hit a miracle shot to send Valpo into the 2nd round. The Beacons, formerly the Crusaders until 2021, play at the Athletics Recreation Center. Check the official website for schedules and to learn about other sports.
Gabis Arboretum
Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest (formerly Taltree Arboretum) is one of Northwest Indiana’s hidden gems. It’s an oak preserve full of gardens, wetlands, prairies, and trails. It was founded in 1997 by Damien and Rita Gabis and gifted to Purdue University Northwest in 2018.
Admission is US$10 per carload (as of December 2024). Members and anyone entering on foot or bicycle are admitted free of charge. The arboretum hosts numerous events and activities throughout the year, many catering to families and children. Check the official website for more information.
Depot and Railway Garden
The first place we visited is the depot, which features a model railroad behind the building. The Railway Garden features model trains that travel from the early days of the American railroad until around the 1920s, with scenes from the Civil War, Lincoln’s funeral train, a limestone quarry, and cities and towns. Several bridges add to the scenery.
We visited in early October and got to see lots of Halloween decorations around the Railway Garden. Staff told us it’s decorated differently every season. There were also displays near the parking lot.
Trails at Gabis Arboretum
With over five miles of trails through natural and restored habitats, Gabis Arboretum is a great place to go hiking, running, birdwatching, or to walk your dog. Each trail is an extension of the main Bluebird Trail, which is a 1.63 mile loop around a prairie and past wetlands.
Other trails are named for birds, some of which can be found in the habitats the trails go through. Notable are the Heron Trail, which surrounds a pond ideal for spotting herons, and the Owl Trail, featuring one of the most diverse oak collections in the world.
Gardens at Gabis Arboretum
Not too far from the parking lot are some of Gabis Arboretum’s special gardens. The Rose Garden has several colorful flowers but there were no roses during my visit.
The Adventure Garden features musical instruments, goats and chickens, and encourages environmental awareness. The Native Plant Garden displays plants native to the region and attracts monarch butterflies.
Valparaiso Fire Museum (Permanently Closed)
The Valparaiso Fire Museum was a great place to learn about the history of firefighting. It was located at the lobby of Task Force Tips and had free admission. The museum was outside the downtown area but worth a visit.
The museum displayed artifacts dating back to firefighting in the 1700s as well as historic fire wagons. Among the vehicles in the collection are a 1923 Seagrave Engine from the Valparaiso Fire Department; an 1890 Silsby Steam Engine from Cliftonville, Wisconsin; and an 1883 Piano Style Engine from Westville, Indiana.
Other displays included historic items such as firefighting uniforms, tools, breathing apparatuses, and personal protective equipment. There was also a display chronicling the history of fire service in Valparaiso.
One of the items that caught my eye was an original fire mark from the Insurance Company of North America. Founded in 1792, the Insurance Company of North America were the third company to offer fire insurance in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. By 1794, it was optional for policyholders to purchase a fire mark. These marks were used as a guide for the company’s private firefighting brigades in the days before municipal fire services were formed.
Other items of interest were historic helmets hanging from the staircase. They included an English Cromwell country-style F135 London Fire Brigade helmet; a Napoleonic wargamer ceremonial French dragoon and 7th cuirassier calvary helmet; and a Soviet firefighter’s helmet from the 1980s.
