Gary, Indiana

indiana.htm"--> Gary is a city in Lake County, Indiana, about 25 miles from the city center of Chicago. Gary covers 57.24 sq mi (148.3 sq km) and has a population of 80,000. Despite the small population, it is in fact the 7th largest city in Indiana. Gary observes the Central Standard Time (UTC-6) and in summer the Central Daylight Time (UTC-5).

Gary City Hall, Gary, Indiana
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gary_City_Hall,_2009.jpg
Author: Chris Light


Gary is located on the southern coast of Lake Michigan. The city, which is shaped like the letter T, sits on a base of good quality sand that was mined for the manufacture of glass. It experiences a continental climate similar to Chicago. The warmest month here is July, when the average high temperature touches 83.9°F (28.8°C). January is the coldest month with average low temperature of 13.9°F. June is the wettest month with 4.469 in (113.5 mm) of precipitation.

Gary, Indiana, was founded in 1906 and named after Elbert H. Gary, the chairman of U.S. Steel. As would therefore be expected, the city was established as a steel manufacturing center, and its early growth was directly impacted by the industry.

Chapel of the Dunes in Miller Beach, Gary
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dunes_Chapel_frontal.jpg
Author: Visviva


The steel industry in Gary suffered a decline in the 1960s in the face of overseas competition, resulting in many lay offs and an increase in crime. At the same time, the population composition of the city evolved as White Americans moved away while African Americans moved in. By the turn of the 21st century, blacks account for 84% of the city's population, the highest percentage of African Americans for a city bigger than 100,000. The city was one of the first to elect an African-American mayor.

Visiting Gary

Interstate 90 connects Gary with Chicago across the border. If you are flying in, the Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) provides the best flight options. The Gary/Chicago International Airport (GYY), to the east of the city, presently does not receive any scheduled commercial flights.

Places of Interest in Gary, Indiana

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