Palmer, Indiana
Encyclopedia
Palmer is an unincorporated town in Winfield Township
, Lake County
, Indiana
. A 2003 article in The Times
described the town as "home to 57 residents, 19 homes". A sign on Randolph street near the entrance to the town describes the population as "Just The Way We Like It". Palmer lies along the site of a railroad line that has since been torn up. It is located approximately one-quarter mile south of the southwestern corner of the Lakes of the Four Seasons
housing development, and is bordered on the west and south by the incorporated town of Winfield
.
, bought land in section 16 of Winfield Township
, near the border with neighboring Porter County
. He began to raise grain and livestock on the land. By 1882, the Chicago and Atlantic Railroad
had been built through Lake County
. On November 20th of that year, Palmer platted
a town on his land, which was promptly adopted as a station by the railroad. By 1915, Palmer was an active station for the shipment of milk, livestock, and grain, and the town had grown large enough to accommodate a small schoolhouse, called the Palmer School. By mid-century, Palmer had a small business district which included a pool hall, two general stores, a telephone company, and a blacksmith shop.
The decline of Palmer coincides with the decline of the use of railroads in the area and the founding and growth of Lakes of the Four Seasons
in the 1960s. Palmer Elementary School closed in 1966. The general store in Palmer closed in the early 1970's due to competition from the newer and larger stores built to service the growing Lakes of the Four Seasons
community. Railroad service on the tracks through Palmer was discontinued in the late 1970s (by what was then the Erie Lackawanna Railway
), and the tracks were torn up altogether in 1983.
Winfield Township, Lake County, Indiana
Winfield Township is one of eleven townships in Lake County, Indiana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 10,054.-External links:* *...
, Lake County
Lake County, Indiana
Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. In 2010, its population was 496,005, making it Indiana's second-most populous county. The county seat is Crown Point. This county is part of Northwest Indiana and the Chicago metropolitan area. The county contains a mix of urban,...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
. A 2003 article in The Times
The Times of Northwest Indiana
The Times of Northwest Indiana is a daily newspaper headquartered in Munster, Indiana. The Times is the second largest of Indiana's 76 daily newspapers, The Indianapolis Star being the largest...
described the town as "home to 57 residents, 19 homes". A sign on Randolph street near the entrance to the town describes the population as "Just The Way We Like It". Palmer lies along the site of a railroad line that has since been torn up. It is located approximately one-quarter mile south of the southwestern corner of the Lakes of the Four Seasons
Lakes of the Four Seasons, Indiana
Lakes of the Four Seasons is a census-designated place in Lake County and Porter County, Indiana, United States. This private gated community's population was 7,033 at the 2010 census.-Geography:...
housing development, and is bordered on the west and south by the incorporated town of Winfield
Winfield, Indiana
Winfield is a town in Winfield Township, Lake County, Indiana, United States. The population was 4,383 at the 2010 census. The town was incorporated 1993, making it one of newest towns in the county. Prior to that time it had been part of Winfield Township as an unincorporated town. Winfield is...
.
History
In 1860, David Palmer, who had emigrated from Ohio in 1854 to what is now the town of WinfieldWinfield, Indiana
Winfield is a town in Winfield Township, Lake County, Indiana, United States. The population was 4,383 at the 2010 census. The town was incorporated 1993, making it one of newest towns in the county. Prior to that time it had been part of Winfield Township as an unincorporated town. Winfield is...
, bought land in section 16 of Winfield Township
Winfield Township, Lake County, Indiana
Winfield Township is one of eleven townships in Lake County, Indiana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 10,054.-External links:* *...
, near the border with neighboring Porter County
Porter County, Indiana
Porter County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2010, the population was 164,343. Much of the population growth has to do with the expansion of the Chicago Metropolitan Area eastward into Indiana. The county seat is Valparaiso...
. He began to raise grain and livestock on the land. By 1882, the Chicago and Atlantic Railroad
Chicago and Atlantic Railway
The Chicago and Atlantic Railway, later the Chicago and Erie Railroad, was a railway in the United States which existed from 1871 to 1941, and was an important connection between the Columbus, Ohio metropolitan area and Chicago, Illinois....
had been built through Lake County
Lake County, Indiana
Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. In 2010, its population was 496,005, making it Indiana's second-most populous county. The county seat is Crown Point. This county is part of Northwest Indiana and the Chicago metropolitan area. The county contains a mix of urban,...
. On November 20th of that year, Palmer platted
Plat
A plat in the U.S. is a map, drawn to scale, showing the divisions of a piece of land. Other English-speaking countries generally call such documents a cadastral map or plan....
a town on his land, which was promptly adopted as a station by the railroad. By 1915, Palmer was an active station for the shipment of milk, livestock, and grain, and the town had grown large enough to accommodate a small schoolhouse, called the Palmer School. By mid-century, Palmer had a small business district which included a pool hall, two general stores, a telephone company, and a blacksmith shop.
The decline of Palmer coincides with the decline of the use of railroads in the area and the founding and growth of Lakes of the Four Seasons
Lakes of the Four Seasons, Indiana
Lakes of the Four Seasons is a census-designated place in Lake County and Porter County, Indiana, United States. This private gated community's population was 7,033 at the 2010 census.-Geography:...
in the 1960s. Palmer Elementary School closed in 1966. The general store in Palmer closed in the early 1970's due to competition from the newer and larger stores built to service the growing Lakes of the Four Seasons
Lakes of the Four Seasons, Indiana
Lakes of the Four Seasons is a census-designated place in Lake County and Porter County, Indiana, United States. This private gated community's population was 7,033 at the 2010 census.-Geography:...
community. Railroad service on the tracks through Palmer was discontinued in the late 1970s (by what was then the Erie Lackawanna Railway
Erie Lackawanna Railway
The Erie Lackawanna Railway , known as the Erie–Lackawanna Railroad until 1968, was formed from the 1960 merger of the Erie Railroad and the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad...
), and the tracks were torn up altogether in 1983.