Porter

Overview | Demographics | Economic Development | Beverly Shores | Burns Harbor | Chesterton | Dune Acres | Porter

In 1822 with permission of the local Pottawattomie Chief and a permit from the United States Government, Joseph Bailly, fur magnate and entrepreneur, brought his family here and built a fine home overlooking the Calumet River in what is now the town of Porter. Bailly saw the area's great natural beauty and the importance of its position on the south shore of Lake Michigan. He dreamed of a city and harbor in the future. In 1834 Bailly platted the first subdivision and named it Baillytown. In the years that followed, more than 40 subdivisions were platted by others within the 5.7 square miles that are now the town of Porter. In 1851 arrival of railroads begin.