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Marktown (East Chicago, Indiana)

USA / Indiana / East Chicago / East Chicago, Indiana
 district, NRHP - National Register of Historic Places, draw only border, residential neighbourhood, historic landmark

Marktown Historic District (Listed on Historic Landmarks Foundation 10 Most Endangered since 2006)
www.marktown.org/
Located in East Chicago Indiana. Marktown is a
workers village designed by Howard Van Dorin Shaw. It is
based on the garden city concept and built in 1917.

Early in the 20th century, staggeringly high turnover in industrial jobs provoked studies and surveys. Lack of quality housing in industrial areas emerged as a primary reason for the costly labor force turnover. Industrialist Clayton Mark commissioned famed Chicago architect Howard Van Doren Shaw to create housing that addressed the needs and desires of his steel workers. Shaw designed Marktown, a complete village. An intact English Garden City sandwiched between giant steel mills and refineries, the 1917 planned community retains all 218 of the original structures. A unique and unexpected place, Marktown’s European-patterned streets are so narrow that cars park on the sidewalk and people walk in the roadway.

The threat: Marktown faces a dual threat to its unique character. The deteriorated condition of many of its structures points to a declining level of investment in the village. Two of the three original commercial buildings have been vacant for more than 30 years. Without local preservation protection and a sensitive development plan, the district faces the loss of its distinctive architecture and intimate scale. Fences, additions and driveways in yards have already diminished the village’s quaint European atmosphere. Because of Marktown’s self-contained nature, many in the region are unaware of its existence and the need for preservation.

Progress in the past year: The East Chicago Redevelopment Commission has engaged BauerLatoza Studio, a noted architectural firm, to work with residents on a revitalization plan that will include historic preservation and land use guidelines.
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www.historiclandmarks.org/news/2007_10Most/10most07-6.h...
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   41°39'31"N   87°28'3"W
This article was last modified 1 year ago