Introduction
The city of Hammond has a rich history and a diversity of architecture unique among the Calumet Region cities of Northwest Indiana. However, this heritage often goes unnoticed or is overlooked as the city continues to develop and focus on the future. It is vitally important as a city to be aware of our past development and heritage. The buildings and neighborhoods highlighted here offer the chance to view the architecture and history of our past and learn its value for present and future generations. This guide is presented in an attempt to inform residents and visitors of the importance of special neighborhoods in Hammond. Hammond is a fine city, one to be explored, preserved and enjoyed.
Downtown Hammond:
Location
This historic area is bounded by the Illinois state line on the west, Sohl Avenue on the east, The Conrail and Indiana Harbor Belt Railroads to the north and Douglas Street to the south. The downtown area is easily accessible via Hohman Avenue.
Historic Significance
PHOTO: Bird's eye view south from court house circa 1909. The development of the downtown is tied closely to the history of Hammond and urban America. In 1852 the first permanent settlers, Ernest and Caroline Hohman built a home and Inn on the north bank of the Grand Calumet River near present-day Hohman Avenue. A small farming community named Hohmanville developed near the Hohman Inn. In 1869, George H. Hammond chose a tract of land between the Grand Calumet River and the Michigan Central Railroad, which had crossed the area in 1852, to build a slaughterhouse and meat packing plant. After purchasing the land from Hohman, Hammond built what was to become one of the largest meat packing plants in the world on the site. Hammond's plant brought workers to the area; all of whom needed housing. Marcus M. Towle, Hammond's business partner, felt a permanent town was necessary to properly serve the influx of laborers. Hammond, however, wished to use the "impermanency" of the plant and its workers as a bargaining agent with the railroads. In 1875, on his own, Towle platted the town of State Line, Indiana (later renamed Hammond) along present State Street between Hohman Avenue and just east of the Illinois State Line. This early settlement grew rapidly as the packing plant expanded, and new additions occurred to the north, east and south of the original plat. The arrival of the Monon, Nickel Plate and Erie Railroads in the early 1800's divided the downtown into segments - a state which exists today. The railroads provided an additional asset to the downtown, as it became a major railroad junction as well as a commercial center. The town of Hammond was incorporated in 1883, becoming a city the next year.
The initial center of the downtown was State Street and Hohman Avenue. As the city grew, the downtown expanded in two directions; south down Hohman Avenue and east along State Street. The downtown, though separated by railroad lines, was unified by the railroad passenger stations and related hotels which surrounded the area. Hohman Avenue eventually became the "Main Street", although State Street remained an important commercial and entertainment center.
The 1920's radically altered the face of the downtown. During this period, much of Hohman Avenue's Victorian-era buildings were replaced by larger retail and commercial buildings. The 400 block of State Street managed to retain many of its earlier structures, as new construction occurred in the 500 block to the east. After a period of stability in the 1930's - 1950's, suburban growth and demand to parking altered the face of the downtown. Smaller commercial buildings and homes were demolished to create needed parking, while retail stores began to leave the downtown for new shopping malls in the suburbs.
Architecture
PHOTO: Old Hotel Mee - Hohman Avenue circa 1914. In looking at the architecture of the downtown, the detailing and material used should be carefully noted as there are two distinct variations to be found. Most of the downtown's noteable buildings were built during two specific eras: Turn-of- the-century and The 1920's along east State Street, and to a lesser degree on Hohman Avenue, buildings still remain from the 1980-1910 period. The Minas building, Henderson building, the NBD Bank and the former Michigan Central Railroad Station reveal the scale and materials of the era. Rusticated stone, finely carved limestone, glazed terra cotta and brass fittings are used. The buildings maintain the architectural composition of storefronts that include the main facade (window area) and cornice (top decoration). The cornice details are of corbelled brick or dentiled molding which extend off the facade. Attention to detail and smaller scale denote these types of storefronts. Buildings which date from the 1920's era of notably different detailing. Glazed terra cotta, sometimes multicolored, large and elaborate details are typical of these structures. The former Goldblatt building, the former Indiana Hotel on Hohman Avenue and the Lincoln Hotel and Seifer Building on State Street are examples in the downtown. Of special note; the scale of these buildings is larger then earlier buildings. The exuberance of detailing displays the sophistication the city gained by this time as well as the confidence the businessmen had in the downtown. The idea of the cornice, although present, began to take a somewhat lesser role. Facades were often constructed of one type of material, unlike the alterations of materials used in earlier structures.
Residential construction has few examples in the downtown area however Along the state line and Rimbach Street, vestiges of the residential character remains. Houses here are generally large Queen Anne homes or simply designed two-story walk-ups. Irregular roof lines and massing. Leaded glass, unusual windows and turrets can be found on these buildings. The intricate surface detailing has been largely obscured by false siding.
Later construction often used "curtain wall" techniques, which treated the building as a solid wall, either largely glass, or in the case of storefront remodeling, often of aluminum or stucco. New structures often were designed to blend with older buildings, while remodeling did not. View Downtown Buildings
Of Special Note
This self-guided tour gives you a sample of the architectural styles prevalent in the downtown. As you enjoy and use your guide to tour the area, please respect the privacy of the owners of those buildings that are not publicly accessible.
