Local History – Michigan City Public Library

Due to COVID-19 precautions, appointments to use the microfilm readers must be scheduled in advance.

Please call 219-873-3044 to schedule an appointment. Appointments must be made at least one day in advance. No same-day appointments will be accepted.
Appointments are limited to one session (of up to one hour) per person per day.
Due to social distancing guidelines, only one person is allowed to use the microfilm readers at a time, and only one appointment is allowed per slot.
Masks are required in the library, including at the microfilm readers.
Microfilm reels will be quarantined for three days following use. We cannot guarantee that a specific reel will be available at the time of your appointment.

Major Isaac C. Elston purchased the land for Michigan City in 1830. The town was officially incorporated on February 8, 1836. In the years since its birth, it has served as a grain center, lumber and shipping port, railroad city, recreational area and tourist attraction, industrial center, arts and cultural center, and All America town.

Local History Resources

Local History Books & Materials

The Indiana Room and non-fiction collections contain many local histories, atlases, maps, city directories, memoirs, church records, military records, and more.

The Portable LaPorte County (c.1978)

The Portable LaPorte County introduces the reader to the history of LaPorte County. It was written around 1978 as part of a larger LaPorte County History Project.

Oral History Collection

In the late 1970s, local residents were interviewed to collect their memories of life in our community. Read transcripts of the oral history tapes, containing the reminiscences and beliefs of common citizens.

Military Monuments & Historic Sites Tour

Take a self-guided tour of Michigan City’s military & historic sites with this guide to their history and location.

Michigan City Newspapers

Past issues of the Michigan City News Dispatch and earlier newspapers are available on microfilm at the library. Click here to learn more about our collection. Looking for an obituary? Try the library’s obituary index.

Pamphlet Files

The library’s pamphlet files contain newspaper clippings, pamphlets, and other miscellanea related to the city’s history. The files can be read in the Indiana Room at the library.

Local History Websites

Historical societies, Indiana Memory, Indiana State Digital Archives, Hoosier State Chronicles, Chronicling America, and more.

Our Heritage (1976)

The Michigan City News-Dispatch published Our Heritage in installments between June 29, 1976 and July 3, 1976. It is reproduced here with their permission.

Historical Slide Collection

The library holds a collection of over 6,000 slides containing historical photos of Michigan City.

Timeline of Michigan City History

A chronology of important dates in Michigan City history. Updated regularly.

City Directories

Michigan City and LaPorte city directories are available for use within the library. Click here to see the editions held by the library.

Land Records, Atlases & Maps

Information on Sanborn maps, property records, local atlases, and more.

Yearbooks

Yearbooks from Elston, Rogers, Marquette, Michigan City, and more schools can be used within the library. Click here to find a complete list of yearbooks held by the library.

Other Local Historical Organizations

Additional local resources for information about the history of Michigan City.