Tremont, Indiana, Porter County is a fascinating ghost town that once thrived in Indiana. Once a bustling hub, it has since faded into obscurity, leaving intriguing remnants of its past. Below is detailed information about the town.
County: Porter County
Zip Code: Not available
Latitude / Longitude: 41.6325° N, 87.0725° W
Elevation: Approximately 630 feet
Time Zone: Central Time Zone (CTZ)
Established: Mid-19th century
Disestablished: Early 1970s
Comments: Tremont was once a vibrant community with a strong sense of local culture and industry. The town experienced growth during the 19th and early 20th centuries, largely due to its proximity to transportation routes and natural resources.
However, by the mid-20th century, industrial shifts and infrastructural changes led to its decline.
Remains: Today, the area where Tremont once stood is largely overgrown, with only a few scattered foundations and building remnants hinting at its past existence.
The surrounding land has been integrated into Indiana Dunes National Park, preserving the region’s natural beauty. The park was first established in 1833, located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 12 and County Road 100 East, near Indiana 49.
The community is named after three massive dunes that are now contained within State Park. They are Mount Tom (200 feet (61 m) above the surrounding area), Mount Holden 170 feet (52 m), and Mount Green 160 feet (49 m).
Current Status: Tremont is now considered a ghost town, with no active residents or operational businesses. It is part of the Indiana Dunes National Park, which attracts visitors interested in hiking, nature, and history.
Tremont was always an unincorporated community but grew to some extent during the early twentieth century and had its commuter railroad station on the South Shore. The creation of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in the 1960s and subsequent land condemnation proceedings caused the remaining community to disperse.
Remarks: Tremont poignantly reminds us of the transient nature of human settlements and the enduring power of nature to reclaim its domain.
The town’s incorporation into the Indiana Dunes National Park guarantees that while its history may be partially obscured, its legacy endures through preserving the natural landscape that once sustained it.
Tremont was initially established as New City West after City West, a settlement on the nearby shore of Lake Michigan that seemed prosperous in the mid-1830s. City West intended to become a large harbor settlement to rival Chicago, a small town that had not yet been incorporated.
However, after the Panic of 1837, City West was abandoned, becoming a ghost town without a single resident, and subsequently burnt to the ground. Despite the end of its namesake, New City West still maintained the City West Post Office and City West School. About 20 houses were built in the new city after City West collapsed, and a sawmill, cooper shop, and brickyard were established.
