Welcome to Dune Country
Early Beginnings
By the late 1800s, the south shore of Lake Michigan, along the whole coast between the city of Gary and the border of Michigan, was coined "Dune Country" by the many ecologists, botanists, geologists and others who came to study it.
Then, as today, those visitors were fascinated with the region's wild beauty, stunning beaches, diverse flora and fauna, unique geography, and sense of freedom.
These world-renown sand dunes are located in Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties. For 43 linear miles, the southern beach line of Lake Michigan that is found in these counties forms the northern boundary of the state, as well as the northern boundary, or “beach side,” of Dune Country.
The “country side” of Indiana's Dune Country stretches as far south as the Valparaiso Moraine, which is a mass of earth, stones and boulders deposited by glacial action. This land formation's name was derived from the city of Valparaiso, which sits upon it.
This part of Dune Country is equally as interesting as that on the beach. For example, Henry Cowles, the noted University of Chicago professor for whom Cowles Bog was named, wrote that Chesterton was "the most interesting place in the vicinity of Chicago, since it [showed] nearly all plant societies - from ravine to flood plain; from pond to prairie; from spring brooks to morainic forests."
A Growth in Popularity
By the early 1900s, the varied and mysterious landscapes of the sand dunes had captured popular interest. Articles about Indiana's Dune County began to appear in magazines such as National Geographic. Numerous books were published that extolled the beauty and charm of the area.
This interest was fueled in great part by the activities of the Prairie Club of Chicago. In 1911, the Prairie Club set up its first overnight camp in the Dunes; and by 1912, began bringing hundreds of visitors to the lakeshore year after year.
For those visitors from Chicago, the South Shore Line railroad – which is the last remaining electric commuter train in the US - made Dune Country easily accessible. Consequently, some of our country's earliest "adventure travellers" came to visit its beaches, hike its dunes, camp in its woods and enjoy its many diverse pleasures.
The "Roaring" Twenties
During the 1920s, Indiana's Dune Country became a fashionable summer destination, especially for those who enjoyed "camp life."
In and around the communities now known as Miller Beach, Ogden Dunes, Dune Acres, Porter Beach and Beverly Shores, summer colonies were established. Some residents built small homes while others stayed in tents right on the beach.
Michigan City and the nearby communities of Long Beach and Michiana Shores became the weekend destination for many of Chicago's elite. Long Beach's "Millionaire Row" is lined with stylish "summer cottages" while Michiana Shores is known for its many "log cabins."
With this influx of summer visitors came great growth. A number of the summer colonies became formally incorporated towns. Some towns, like Dune Acres and Beverly Shores, involved extensive community development, including clubhouses, marinas, golf courses and much more. While others, like Ogden Dunes and Porter Beach, were more informal in their approach. Nonetheless, these communities were here to stay.
A Changing World
The Great Depression, World War II and the ensuing years brought numerous changes to Indiana’s Dune Country.
The rapid growth of these beachfront communities slowed and their development took a different direction. While each of these towns remained a summer destination for many, others began to make them their permanent home.
The summer tents and cottages made way for larger, year-round homes, many of which were designed by noted architects such as Keck & Keck, Richard Neutra and John Lloyd Wright, son of Frank.
Increasingly strict planning, development and building ordinances were put in place to protect the unique environmental nature of these towns.
Many of the grander public works of the past, such as marinas, golf courses and so on, were either not built or returned to parkland.
Also during this time, industrial growth encroached into the region. This growth forever changed Dune Country and many feared that Indiana's unique sand dunes would soon be lost forever.
By the 1950s, many area residents, both part and full-time, realized that the sand dunes of Indiana had to be protected. As a result of their many years of hard work, and with the tireless effort of the Saves the Dunes Council, the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore was established in 1966.
With the establishment of the National Park, Indiana's Dune Country became a popular destination for day-trippers during the 70s, 80s and early 90s. Yet, during these years, the region never regained the widespread popularity it once enjoyed as a fashionable resort destination.
Instead, its sleepy beachfront communities turned into the well-kept secret of those who lived there. Quite often, people would be surprised when they discovered that these towns even existed.
A Region Rediscovered
Today, however, Indiana's Dune Country has been rediscovered. With its beautiful beaches, extensive parks, charming towns, relaxing privacy and fascinating history, we are surprised it took so long.
Nonetheless, Chicagoans and many others are once again calling Dune Country home. They also are calling it a number of other things: some refer to it as the “Casual Coast”; and the Chicago Tribune even called it the "Hamptons of the Midwest."
Today's new residents are also discovering the joys of the country side of Dune Country - Chesterton with its small town, country-club living; Valparaiso with its expansive country estates; and LaPorte County with its small farms, sprawling estates, private lakes and quaint country towns such as Hesston, Rolling Prairie, Mill Creek, Hudson Lake and Fish Lake.
So, whether one enjoys the beach or the country, Indiana's Dune Country continues to give its residents the freedom to get away from it all, whether full-time, on weekends or just for the summer. Perhaps it is time to discover Dune Country for yourself!