Hammond, Indiana, once a thriving city with a peak population of 111,000, now faces decline and decay, especially in its downtown area. Despite this, the city has aggressive plans to revitalize its core. Hammond's unique borders with Illinois, including historical markers and a controversial wall separating it from Calumet City, reflect its complex history and challenges, including crime and flooding concerns.
Hammond, Indiana, is a city with a rich history and some unusual characteristics, especially when it comes to its borders. However, it is also a city that has seen better days. Once home to a peak population of 111,000, Hammond now has about 76,000 residents. Its downtown area appears eerie and decaying, reflecting a broader trend of decline. Yet, there is hope as the city has aggressive plans to revive its lifeless downtown.
Hammond is located about a half-hour drive south of Chicago's Loop, though traffic can extend this to an hour and a half. The city is traversed by the Borman Expressway, which cuts across from west to east and sees an average of 210,000 vehicles daily—more than twice the number of Hammond's residents. This means that many people pass through Hammond without giving it much thought.
One of Hammond's most fascinating aspects is its borders, especially with the state of Illinois and the city of Chicago.
At the edge of Hammond, there is a unique historical marker dating back to 1833, marking the state boundary between Indiana and Illinois. Nearby stands an archway built in 1838, one of the oldest standing structures in Chicago, located right on the border. Passing under this archway takes you from Chicago, Illinois, into Hammond, Indiana.
Adjacent to the border is the State Line Plaza, featuring a plaque marking the Indiana-Illinois state line. This area includes a popular bike trail that connects to Calumet Beach in Chicago, offering a pleasant city park experience for residents and visitors alike.
Further south along Hammond's border with Illinois lies a four-block stretch where a wall separates Hammond from Calumet City, Illinois. This wall is part of a boulevard-like road with a grassy median that extends for about a mile before the two cities reconnect via road.
In 2005, Hammond cut off road connections to Calumet City along this stretch to reduce east-west cross-traffic and curb burglaries and crime originating from Calumet City. This move was a clear admission that the barrier was intended for "people control."
In 2014, the Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission announced plans to build a wall, or tie-back levee, approximately 4 feet high. This structure was designed to protect Hammond properties from a 100-year flood event, as the existing levee on the Illinois side was not deemed sufficient.
The levee reportedly removed about 150 homes from the flood plain, lowering flood insurance premiums for those residents. However, some residents of Calumet Park, Illinois, viewed the wall skeptically. Kevin Dean, a Calumet Park resident, stated that the wall was not for water control but for controlling people, reflecting the tension between the two communities.
While Hammond has experienced significant decline, it has not fallen as far as its neighbor, Gary, Indiana. Nonetheless, the city's downtown area remains lifeless and eerie, a shadow of its former self.
Despite the challenges, Hammond is not without hope. The city has implemented aggressive plans to revitalize its downtown area, aiming to breathe new life into the community and attract residents and visitors back to the heart of the city.
Hammond, Indiana, is a city marked by its unique geographical borders, historical significance, and complex social dynamics. Its decline over the years is evident, but so is its resilience and determination to recover. The city's story is one of contrasts—between decay and revival, division and connection, history and modern challenges. Understanding Hammond's past and present provides valuable insight into the broader narrative of many American industrial cities facing similar trials today.
