Editing Crown Point, Indiana

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Crown Point, Indiana
| settlement_type    = [[City]]
| nickname           = Hub of Lake County
| image_skyline      = Old Lake County Courthouse, Crown Point Indiana. Located in the Courthouse Square Historic District.jpg
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = Lake County courthouse in Crown Point
| image_flag         = 
| image_seal         = CrownPointINseal.png
| image_map          = Lake County Indiana Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Crown Point Highlighted 1816138.svg
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location of Crown Point in Lake County, Indiana.
| image_map1         = 
| mapsize1           = 
| map_caption1       = 
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{USA}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{flag|Indiana}}
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Indiana|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Lake County, Indiana|Lake]]
| subdivision_type3  = [[List of townships in Indiana|Townships]]
| subdivision_name3  = [[Center Township, Lake County, Indiana|Center]] and [[Ross Township, Lake County, Indiana|Ross]]
| government_type    = City Council
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = Pete Land ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
| area_note          = 
| established_title  = Established
| established_date   = October 31, 1834
| established_title1 = Incorporated (town)
| established_date1  = June 3, 1868
| established_title2 = Incorporated (city)
| established_date2  = June 6, 1911
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_18.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=March 16, 2022}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 46.58
| area_land_km2      = 46.44
| area_water_km2     = 0.14
<!-- Population -->| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_est     = 
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 33899
| population_density_km2 = 729.98
| population_density_sq_mi = 1890.63
| population_note    = 
| timezone           = [[North American Central Time Zone|CST]]
| utc_offset         = -6
| timezone_DST       = [[North American Central Time Zone|CDT]]
| utc_offset_DST     = -5
| area_total_sq_mi   = 17.98
| area_land_sq_mi    = 17.93
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.05
| elevation_m        = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft       = 717
| coordinates        = {{coord|41|24|05|N|87|21|22|W|region:US-IN|display=inline,title}}
| website            = {{URL|http://crownpoint.in.gov}}
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]s
| postal_code        = 46307-46308
| area_code_type     = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
| area_code          = [[Area code 219|219]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 18-16138<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 2393682<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2393682}}</ref>
| footnotes          = 
| unit_pref          = Imperial
}}
'''Crown Point''' is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Lake County, Indiana|Lake County]], [[Indiana]], [[United States]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=2011-06-07|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|archive-date=2011-05-31}}</ref> The population was 34,884 at the [[2023 United States census|2023 census]]. The city was incorporated in 1868. On October 31, 1834, [[Solon Robinson]] and his family became the first settlers to an area that later became Crown Point. Due to its location, Crown Point is known as the "Hub of Lake County".

The city is surrounded by [[Merrillville, Indiana|Merrillville]] to the north, [[Winfield, Indiana|Winfield]] to the east, [[Cedar Lake, Indiana|Cedar Lake]] to the southwest, [[St. John Township, Lake County, Indiana|St.&nbsp;John]] to the west, and unincorporated [[Schererville, Indiana|Schererville]] to the northwest. The southern and southwestern parts of Crown Point border some unincorporated areas of [[Lake County, Indiana|Lake County.]]

==History==
On October 31, 1834, [[Solon Robinson]] and his family became the first settlers to stake a claim in the area that would eventually become Crown Point.<ref name=CPH>Crown Point Network,''[http://www.crownpoint.net/history.htm Crown Point Indian History]'' (last accessed 31 Aug 2006)</ref> In February 1837, Lake County was incorporated, with [[Liverpool, Indiana]], as the county seat. Later that year, Solon Robinson funded a [[US$]]500 project to build a new wooden county courthouse in Crown Point, and the legislature was delighted to designate it as the county seat. It was not until 1868 that Crown Point was incorporated as a town.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=HISTORICAL TIMELINE |url=https://crownpointlibrary.org/research/indianaroom/historical-timeline/ |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=crownpointlibrary.org}}</ref>

In 1878, construction began on a new, larger county court house and clock tower. This new court house, now known as the ''Grand Old Lady'', was built in the center of town and became the dominant feature of Crown Point (further additions to this courthouse would be made from 1907 to 1928). Campaigning for the presidency of the United States, [[William Jennings Bryan]] addressed a crowd from the steps of the courthouse in 1896. In 1897 a crowd of 4,000 gathered to watch a winning harness racing horse bred by noted Chicago theater manager Will J. Davis and his famous wife, contralto [[Jessie Bartlett Davis]]. The Davises bred trotters and dogs at their Crown Point farm c. 1885–1917.<ref>''Chicago Daily Tribune'', August 8, 1897, p. 7</ref>  Crown Point was the site of the first [[Cobe Trophy Race|Cobe Trophy]] automobile race, won by [[Louis Chevrolet]] in 1909.

On June 6, 1911, Crown Point was reincorporated as a city.<ref name=":0" />

The Old Lake County Courthouse was placed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1974, and the new Lake County Government Center opened on the north side of the city the next year.
 
Because Crown Point had no waiting period for marriage licenses, the city became a popular place for couples to marry; it became known as the "Marriage Mill". Many famous people came to Crown Point to marry, including [[Tom Mix]], [[Rudolph Valentino]], [[Muhammad Ali]], and [[Jackson 5]] patriarch [[Joseph Jackson (manager)|Joseph Jackson]] and their wives.  Certain online sources claim that [[Ronald Reagan]] and [[Jane Wyman]] were married in Crown Point.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crownpoint.net/history.htm|title=Crown Point Indiana History|work=crownpoint.net|access-date=17 April 2015}}</ref> But Reagan and Wyman were married in [[Glendale, California]], according to sources such as [[Fox News]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/oscar-winner-jane-wyman-ronald-reagans-first-wife-dead-at-93|publisher=Fox News|title=Oscar-Winner Jane Wyman, Ronald Reagan's First Wife, Dead at 93|date=September 10, 2007}}</ref> ''[[The Washington Post]]'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A18329-2004Jun5.html|newspaper=The Washington Post|title=Actor, Governor, President, Icon|date=June 6, 2004|access-date=April 30, 2010}}</ref> and the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Locations Range from the Exotic to the Pristine|last=Oliver |first=Marilyn|work=Los Angeles Times|date=March 31, 1988}}</ref>

The [[Walter Allman House]], [[Wellington A. Clark House]], [[Crown Point Courthouse Square Historic District]], [[Lake County Courthouse (Indiana)|Lake County Courthouse]], [[Lake County Tuberculosis Sanatorium, Nurses Home and Superintendent's House]], [[Lake County Sheriff's House and Jail]], [[Albert Maack House]], and [[William Whitaker Landscape and House]] are listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref><ref name="nps">{{cite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/nr/listings/20110701.htm|title=National Register of Historic Places Listings|date=2011-07-01|work=Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 6/20/11 through 6/24/11|publisher=National Park Service}}</ref>

Locally designated residential historic districts include:

* '''Sunnyside Historic District''', includes St. Mary's Church and School and surrounding homes.
* '''Holley Historic District''', includes 20 homes and one church, including former Sheriff [[Lillian Holley]]'s home at the southeast corner of South and East streets.

===Gangster era===
{{Unreferenced section|date=January 2018}}

On March 3, 1934, [[FBI]] "Public Enemy #1" [[John Dillinger]] escaped from the "escape-proof" (as it was dubbed by local authorities at the time) Lake County Jail, which was guarded by many police and national guardsmen. Dillinger apparently escaped while brandishing a hand-carved wooden gun blackened with shoe polish, although this was disputed by some witnesses.  Dillinger further embarrassed the city, as well as the 42-year-old female sheriff [[Lillian Holley]], by driving off in her brand new [[Ford F-Series|V-8 Ford]]. The press augmented her chagrin with such headlines as: "Slim woman, mother of twins, controlled Dillinger as sheriff." Incensed, Holley declared at the time, "If I ever see John Dillinger again, I'll shoot him dead with my own gun. Don't blame anyone else for this escape. Blame me. I have no political career ahead of me and I don't care."  Furthermore, Holley made certain the Dillinger name would have no standing in Crown Point up until Holley's death in 1994 at 103.

===''Public Enemies'' (film)===
In March 2008, a [[Universal Pictures|Universal Studios]] team, under the direction of [[Michael Mann (director)|Michael Mann]], visited Crown Point to film parts of the movie ''[[Public Enemies (2009 film)|Public Enemies]]'' at the former county jail facility from which Dillinger escaped. The crime drama is set during [[The Great Depression]] with the focus on FBI agent [[Melvin Purvis]]' attempt to stop criminals John Dillinger, [[Baby Face Nelson]], and [[Pretty Boy Floyd]]. [[Christian Bale]] plays FBI agent Purvis, and [[Johnny Depp]] plays Dillinger. Actress [[Lili Taylor]] portrayed Sheriff Holley in the film. The shoot took three days to complete and involved a number of scenes inside the former Sheriff's house and jail.  A scene was constructed for filming the exterior. Depp was on the set for all three days and stayed late into the evenings each night to shake hands with hundreds of fans who stood for hours to see him and the film shoot.<ref>{{cite web|last=Woulfe|first=Molly|title=Johnny Depp|url=http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/johnny-depp-as-dillinger/article_e23d0619-f2ba-5316-a1ab-e73af5278c60.html|publisher=NWI Times|access-date=22 October 2013}}</ref> The movie was released in June 2009.

==Geography==
Crown Point lies on the [[Valparaiso Moraine]].

According to the 2010 census, Crown Point has a total area of {{convert|17.725|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|17.71|sqmi|sqkm|2}} (or 99.92%) is land and {{convert|0.015|sqmi|sqkm|2}} (or 0.08%) is water.<ref name="census-g001">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1816138
  |title=G001 - Geographic Identifiers - 2010 Census Summary File 1
  |access-date=2015-07-28
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213060510/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1816138
  |archive-date=2020-02-13
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

Crown Point is situated approximately 40 miles southeast of Chicago's [[Chicago Loop|Loop]].

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 1708
|1890= 1907
|1900= 2336
|1910= 2526
|1920= 3232
|1930= 4046
|1940= 4643
|1950= 5839
|1960= 8443
|1970= 10931
|1980= 16455
|1990= 17728
|2000= 19806
|2010= 27317
|2020= 33899
|footnote=Source: US Census Bureau
}}

The estimated racial makeup of the city was 85.9% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 8.0% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.1% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 2.0% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 2.6% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.3% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were estimated to be 6.2% of the population.<ref name="Archived copy">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |title=U.S. Census website |access-date=2015-10-25 }}</ref>

The estimated median income for a household in the city in 2013 was $63,121 while the mean income for a household in the town was $78,090. Additionally, the median income for a family was $75,112 and the mean income for a family was $90,507. The estimated per capita income for the town was $31,177. About 4.3% of families and 7.0% of the population were estimated to be below the poverty line.<ref name="Archived copy"/>

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-12-11}}</ref> of 2010, there were 27,317 people, 10,394 households, and 7,001 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1542.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 10,976 housing units at an average density of {{convert|619.8|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 88.2% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 6.3% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.2% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.8% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 1.9% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.6% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 8.1% of the population.

There were 10,394 households, of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 32.6% were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.01.

The median age in the city was 39.6 years. 21.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.7% were from 25 to 44; 26.9% were from 45 to 64; and 16.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.0% male and 50.0% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 19,806 people, 7,824 households, and 5,359 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,191.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 8,166 housing units at an average density of {{convert|491.3|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 95.32% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.41% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.18% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.98% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.04% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.02% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.04% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 4.00% of the population.

There were 7,824 households, out of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.1% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.5% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $52,889, and the median income for a family was $64,274. Males had a median income of $50,090 versus $26,669 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $24,568. About 2.1% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 3.9% of those under age 18 and 3.2% of those age 65 or over.

==Government==
The government consists of a mayor and a city council. The mayor is Pete Land, the former chief of police . The city council consists of seven members. Five are elected from individual districts. Two are elected at-large.

==Education==
Crown Point residents who live in Center Township are served by the [[Crown Point Community School Corporation]].  Residents who live in Ross Township are served by the [[Merrillville Community School Corporation]].

Public schools in Crown Point are administered by the Crown Point Community School Corporation:<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cps.k12.in.us/schools.htm |title=CPCSC Schools<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2008-03-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080401065628/http://www.cps.k12.in.us/schools.htm |archive-date=2008-04-01 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Crown Point High School]]
* Robert A. Taft Middle School
* Colonel John Wheeler Middle School
* Timothy Ball Elementary School
* Eisenhower Elementary School
* Lake Street Elementary School
* Solon Robinson Elementary School
* Crossroads Alternative Achievement Center

Private schools:
* Pathway Christian School
* Trinity Lutheran School
* [[St. Mary Catholic Community School]]
* Avicenna Academy<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avicennaacademy.org|title=Avicenna Academy|author=Avicenna Academy|work=avicennaacademy.org|access-date=17 April 2015}}</ref>
Private Colleges:
*[[Hyles-Anderson College]]
*[[University of Saint Francis (Indiana)|University of Saint Francis]]

Public library:
The city has a lending library, the Crown Point Community Public Library with two branches.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.in.gov/library/files/countyindex13.pdf | title=Indiana public library directory | publisher=Indiana State Library | access-date=10 March 2018 | archive-date=February 18, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218220414/http://in.gov/library/files/countyindex13.pdf | url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Transportation==

[[Gary Public Transportation Corporation]] provides bus service along the 93rd Avenue corridor; with plans to expand bus service within the city along the Broadway corridor from 93rd Avenue to the north terminating at US-231 to the south. These plans are known as the "Livable Broadway Plan" that aims to allow easy travel by public transportation between Gary, Merrillville, and Crown Point and to encourage [[transit-oriented development]] at each hub. The first steps of this plan were realized with the ''[[Broadway Metro Express]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.livablebroadway.com|title=Livable Broadway|access-date=17 April 2015}}</ref>

The Pennsylvania Railroad's Chicago to Columbus line and the Erie Lackawanna's Jersey City to Chicago line served Crown Point and had commuter service to and from Chicago. Both rail lines have been abandoned.

==Lake County Court House==
The [[Lake County Courthouse (Indiana)|old Lake County Court House]] is prominently situated in the center of Crown Point, which is commonly referred to simply as the square. The first portion of the court house was erected in 1878,<ref name="Crown Point Lake County Courthouse">{{cite book|last=Counts|first=I.W.|title=The Magnificent 92 Indiana Courthouses|year=1991|publisher=Rosebud Press|location=Bloomington, Ind.|isbn=0253336384}}</ref> with portions being added on all the way up to 1928. Inside the "Grand Old Lady", there are gift shops,a record shop, and a museum which is located on the second floor.

==Lake County Fairgrounds==
[[Image:Coverend Bridge 151.jpg|thumb|The [[Crown Point Bridge, Indiana|Crown Point Bridge]]]]
The Lake County Fairgrounds are located near the southern portion of Crown Point.  The fairgrounds include historic brick exhibition buildings, tree covered hills, rambling walking paths and a historic grandstand near the retired swimming area at Fancher Lake. The [[Crown Point Bridge, Indiana|Crown Point Bridge]], an 85-foot, single span Burr Arch Truss bridge, is the county's only covered bridge. It was originally built in 1878 near [[Milroy, Indiana|Milroy]] in [[Rush County, Indiana|Rush County]] and relocated to the northwest area of the fairgrounds over a gully in 1933.

== Crown Point Sportsplex ==
The Crown Point Sportsplex is a 95-acre multi-use outdoor sports and event destination conveniently located off I-65. The facility currently features two [[synthetic turf]] multi-purpose fields, 10 natural grass, illuminated fields, and champion field with stadium seating. Accompanying these sports amenities, are two fully equipped support buildings that include restrooms, concessions and storage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Crown Point Sportsplex {{!}} Crown Point, IN |url=https://www.crownpoint.in.gov/321/CP-Sportsplex |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=www.crownpoint.in.gov}}</ref>

==Events==
The Lake County Fair, the 2nd-largest county fair in the state of Indiana, is held on the fairgrounds each year in early August for 10 days. The Lake County Fair always boasts monster trucks, demolition derby, and an entire arena for horse shows.

The Corn Roast and the Taste of Crown Point, annual festivals featuring food and entertainment, are held downtown around the historic courthouse.

There are also parades held on [[Memorial Day]], Independence Day, and St. Patrick's Day.

==Notable people==
* [[Logan Gomez]], Racing driver
* [[William G. Haan]], [[World War I]] general
* [[Ambrose Stephen McDonald]], Wisconsin state legislator and businessman
* [[Dan Plesac]], Former Major League pitcher and [[MLB Network]] analyst
* [[Zach Plesac]], Los Angeles Angels pitcher
* [[Richie Roberts]], Wide receivers coach
* [[Jerry L. Ross]], Astronaut
* [[Sasha Stefanovic]], Former Purdue basketball guard
* [[Thelma Strabel]], Novelist
* [[John Wheeler (colonel)|John Wheeler]], Civil War officer
* [[Dean White (businessman)|Dean White]], entrepreneur and billionaire
* [[Ralph H. Young]], former head football coach at [[Michigan State Spartans football|Michigan State]]

==See also==
*[[Lake County Indiana Sheriff's Department|Lake County Sheriff's Department]]
*[[Indiana State Police]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Crown Point, Indiana}}
*[http://www.crownpoint.in.gov/ City of Crown Point, Indiana website]
*[http://www.crownpointguide.com/ Greater Crown Point Chamber of Commerce]

{{Lake County, Indiana}}
{{County Seats of Indiana}}
{{Chicagoland}}
{{Indiana}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Indiana]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1834]]
[[Category:Cities in Lake County, Indiana]]
[[Category:County seats in Indiana]]
[[Category:Northwest Indiana]]
[[Category:1834 establishments in Indiana]]