Beverly Shores, Indiana
Encyclopedia
Beverly Shores is a town in Pine Township
, Porter County
, Indiana
, United States
, about 36 miles (57.9 km) east of downtown Chicago
. The population was 613 at the 2010 census.
reorganized the line as the Chicago, South Shore & South Bend (today's South Shore Line
) in 1925, upgrading the stations and encouraging tourism. A number of promotional posters were issued, many of which remain in print.
The Frederick H. Bartlett Company, at that time one of Chicago's largest real-estate developers, bought 3600 acres (1,456.9 ha) in the area in 1927, and plotted thousands of homesites. He named the prospective development Lake Shore, North Shore Beach and South Shore Acres. The Great Depression
dampened its prospects, and many of the plots were never built on.
Robert Bartlett, Frederick Bartlett's brother, purchased the properties in 1933, He named the entire development after his daughter Beverly,and continued to develop its infrastructure with roads, a school, a golf course, and a hotel. He purchased and relocated sixteen structures from Chicago's 1933-34 Century of Progress
World's Fair, four of which were transported by barges on Lake Michigan.
The community was incorporated in 1947. After World War II
, a number of industrial developments, including Burns Harbor, were built to the west, and by the 1950s environmental organizations had begun to push for preservation of the area. The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
was established in 1966. During the 1970s, there was a movement to purchase all the homes in Beverly Shores and incorporate the entire town into the National Lakeshore. This initiative did not succeed, but many local properties were acquired, especially those in the wetlands that constitute the southern portion. The acquisition process is ongoing. The owners of lots fronting on the beach were granted lifetime leasebacks with the proviso that the property would revert to the National Lakeshore; many of these houses have since been demolished.
The 1970s saw a period of record high lake levels and beach erosion; the owners of lakefront properties often responded by dumping large quantities of concrete blocks (riprap
) onto the sand in front of their houses, which continue to mar the beach. The beach is now conspicuously public, although nearby parking is limited.
A resurgence of development took place during the 1990s and 2000s, when many million-dollar-plus houses were built on the dunes near the lakefront. In the early 2000s, excessive levels of arsenic, boron, lead, and manganese were found in wells in the nearby town of Pines
, and pipelines delivering Lake Michigan water treated by Michigan City
were extended into Beverly Shores. This time period also saw an explosion of the local white-tailed deer
population, a problem that has polarized its residents.
In 1998, the Spanish Colonial Revival
train depot
, originally built in 1929, was reopened following a historical renovation. The restored train depot now also houses a museum, displaying historic photographs and memorabilia, and a gallery, featuring rotating exhibits of local art.
Easily accessible from Chicago, Beverly Shores is a second home to many Chicagoans who are referred to locally as some-timers. Both full time and some-time residents come together for community activities such as ice skating on the frozen pond during Winterfest, the 5k Necktie Race held on Father's Day, and the annual summertime event the Fireman's Ball which raises money for the volunteer fire department.
Beverly Shores has always enjoyed the reputation of being a "gay-friendly" community. For example, the "Last Outpost" and "Los Compadres" restaurants were, in their heyday, major points of interest in northwest Indiana for the homosexual community. Along with the acceptance of gay culture, Beverly Shores has long been a haven for artists.
In the recent years up to 2008, there were no local Beverly Shores eating or drinking establishments. Grecco's and the Red Lantern were two restaurants down by the beachfront but they closed a long time ago. In November 2008, the old Bruno's Bar was reopened after much renovation under the name Bartlett's, a nod to the developer, Frederick Bartlett. Bartlett's is owned and operated by experienced restaurateurs who call Beverly Shores home.
Beverly Shores attracts many visitors, particularly nature enthusiasts, cyclists and bird watchers, who come to enjoy the beaches and the marshlands. Overnight lodging options are limited but visitors who wish to stay the night can reserve a campsite at Dunewood Camp.
shoreline. It is bordered by Indiana Dunes State Park
on the west, Lake Michigan on the north, the village of Pines
on the south, and Michigan City
on the east. Much of the immediate area is part of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 5.8 square miles (15 km²), of which, 3.6 square miles (9.3 km²) of it is land and 2.3 square miles (6 km²) of it (38.80%) is water.
of 2000, there were 708 people, 340 households, and 213 families residing in the town. The population density
was 197.9 people per square mile (76.4/km²). There were 524 housing units at an average density of 146.5 per square mile (56.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.60% White, 0.71% African American, 0.42% Asian, 0.14% from other races
, and 1.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.28% of the population.
There were 340 households out of which 11.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.4% were married couples
living together, 4.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.1% were non-families. 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.53.
In the town the population was 11.4% persons under the age of 18, 4.9% aged 18 to 24, 20.3% aged 25 to 44, 40.8% aged 45 to 64, and 22.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 51 years. For every 100 females there were 110.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $59,107, and the median income for a family was $81,203. Males had a median income of $46,389 versus $38,750 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $40,825. About 4.0% of families and 4.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.4% of those under age 18 and 1.4% of those age 65 or over.
Pine Township, Porter County, Indiana
Pine Township is one of twelve townships in Porter County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 2,853.-Cities and Towns:Pines Township includes the communities of Beverly Shores and The Town of the Pines.-Education:...
, 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...
, 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...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, about 36 miles (57.9 km) east of downtown Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. The population was 613 at the 2010 census.
History
Beverly Shores began life as a planned resort community. The Chicago, Lake Shore & South Bend railroad began to provide service from South Bend to Chicago shortly after 1900. The Chicago businessman Samuel InsullSamuel Insull
Samuel Insull was an Anglo-American innovator and investor based in Chicago who greatly contributed to creating an integrated electrical infrastructure in the United States. Insull was notable for purchasing utilities and railroads using holding companies, as well as the abuse of them...
reorganized the line as the Chicago, South Shore & South Bend (today's South Shore Line
South Shore Line (NICTD)
The South Shore Line is an electrically powered interurban commuter rail line operated by the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District between Millennium Station in downtown Chicago and the South Bend Regional Airport in South Bend, Indiana...
) in 1925, upgrading the stations and encouraging tourism. A number of promotional posters were issued, many of which remain in print.
The Frederick H. Bartlett Company, at that time one of Chicago's largest real-estate developers, bought 3600 acres (1,456.9 ha) in the area in 1927, and plotted thousands of homesites. He named the prospective development Lake Shore, North Shore Beach and South Shore Acres. The Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
dampened its prospects, and many of the plots were never built on.
Century of Progress
A Century of Progress International Exposition was the name of a World's Fair held in Chicago from 1933 to 1934 to celebrate the city's centennial. The theme of the fair was technological innovation...
World's Fair, four of which were transported by barges on Lake Michigan.
The community was incorporated in 1947. After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, a number of industrial developments, including Burns Harbor, were built to the west, and by the 1950s environmental organizations had begun to push for preservation of the area. The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is a U.S. National Lakeshore located in northwest Indiana and managed by the National Park Service. It was authorized by Congress in 1966. The national lakeshore runs for nearly along the southern shore of Lake Michigan, from Gary, Indiana, on the west to Michigan...
was established in 1966. During the 1970s, there was a movement to purchase all the homes in Beverly Shores and incorporate the entire town into the National Lakeshore. This initiative did not succeed, but many local properties were acquired, especially those in the wetlands that constitute the southern portion. The acquisition process is ongoing. The owners of lots fronting on the beach were granted lifetime leasebacks with the proviso that the property would revert to the National Lakeshore; many of these houses have since been demolished.
The 1970s saw a period of record high lake levels and beach erosion; the owners of lakefront properties often responded by dumping large quantities of concrete blocks (riprap
Riprap
Riprap — also known as rip rap, rubble, shot rock or rock armour or "Rip-rap" — is rock or other material used to armor shorelines, streambeds, bridge abutments, pilings and other shoreline structures against scour, water or ice erosion.It is made from a variety of rock types, commonly granite or...
) onto the sand in front of their houses, which continue to mar the beach. The beach is now conspicuously public, although nearby parking is limited.
A resurgence of development took place during the 1990s and 2000s, when many million-dollar-plus houses were built on the dunes near the lakefront. In the early 2000s, excessive levels of arsenic, boron, lead, and manganese were found in wells in the nearby town of Pines
Pines
Pines may refer to:*Pine, coniferous trees of the genus Pinus, in the family Pinaceae*PINES or Public Information Network for Electronic Services- People with the surname :...
, and pipelines delivering Lake Michigan water treated by Michigan City
Michigan City
Michigan City may refer to:* Michigan City, California* Michigan City, Indiana* Michigan City, Mississippi* Michigan City, North Dakota...
were extended into Beverly Shores. This time period also saw an explosion of the local white-tailed deer
White-tailed Deer
The white-tailed deer , also known as the Virginia deer or simply as the whitetail, is a medium-sized deer native to the United States , Canada, Mexico, Central America, and South America as far south as Peru...
population, a problem that has polarized its residents.
In 1998, the Spanish Colonial Revival
Spanish Colonial Revival Style architecture
The Spanish Colonial Revival Style was a United States architectural stylistic movement that came about in the early 20th century, starting in California and Florida as a regional expression related to history, environment, and nostalgia...
train depot
Beverly Shores (NICTD)
Beverly Shores is a station in Beverly Shores, Indiana, called on by South Shore Line trains. The station also serves the nearby Town of Pines....
, originally built in 1929, was reopened following a historical renovation. The restored train depot now also houses a museum, displaying historic photographs and memorabilia, and a gallery, featuring rotating exhibits of local art.
Easily accessible from Chicago, Beverly Shores is a second home to many Chicagoans who are referred to locally as some-timers. Both full time and some-time residents come together for community activities such as ice skating on the frozen pond during Winterfest, the 5k Necktie Race held on Father's Day, and the annual summertime event the Fireman's Ball which raises money for the volunteer fire department.
Beverly Shores has always enjoyed the reputation of being a "gay-friendly" community. For example, the "Last Outpost" and "Los Compadres" restaurants were, in their heyday, major points of interest in northwest Indiana for the homosexual community. Along with the acceptance of gay culture, Beverly Shores has long been a haven for artists.
In the recent years up to 2008, there were no local Beverly Shores eating or drinking establishments. Grecco's and the Red Lantern were two restaurants down by the beachfront but they closed a long time ago. In November 2008, the old Bruno's Bar was reopened after much renovation under the name Bartlett's, a nod to the developer, Frederick Bartlett. Bartlett's is owned and operated by experienced restaurateurs who call Beverly Shores home.
Beverly Shores attracts many visitors, particularly nature enthusiasts, cyclists and bird watchers, who come to enjoy the beaches and the marshlands. Overnight lodging options are limited but visitors who wish to stay the night can reserve a campsite at Dunewood Camp.
Geography
Beverly Shores is located at 41.684265°N 86.985672°W, along the Lake MichiganLake Michigan
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one located entirely within the United States. It is the second largest of the Great Lakes by volume and the third largest by surface area, after Lake Superior and Lake Huron...
shoreline. It is bordered by Indiana Dunes State Park
Indiana Dunes State Park
Indiana DunesDesignationState Park; National Natural LandmarkLocationPorter County, Indiana, USAAddress1600 N 25 EChesterton, IN 46304Nearest CityPorter, IndianaCoordinatesAreaDate of Establishment1925...
on the west, Lake Michigan on the north, the village of Pines
Town of Pines, Indiana
Town of Pines is a town in Pine Township, Porter County, Indiana, United States. The population was 708 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Town of Pines is located at ....
on the south, and Michigan City
Michigan City, Indiana
Michigan City's origins date to 1830, when the land for the city was first purchased by Isaac C. Elston. Elston Middle School, formerly Elston High School, located at 317 Detroit St., is named after the founder....
on the east. Much of the immediate area is part of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is a U.S. National Lakeshore located in northwest Indiana and managed by the National Park Service. It was authorized by Congress in 1966. The national lakeshore runs for nearly along the southern shore of Lake Michigan, from Gary, Indiana, on the west to Michigan...
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 5.8 square miles (15 km²), of which, 3.6 square miles (9.3 km²) of it is land and 2.3 square miles (6 km²) of it (38.80%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 708 people, 340 households, and 213 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 197.9 people per square mile (76.4/km²). There were 524 housing units at an average density of 146.5 per square mile (56.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.60% White, 0.71% African American, 0.42% Asian, 0.14% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.28% of the population.
There were 340 households out of which 11.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.4% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 4.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.1% were non-families. 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.53.
In the town the population was 11.4% persons under the age of 18, 4.9% aged 18 to 24, 20.3% aged 25 to 44, 40.8% aged 45 to 64, and 22.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 51 years. For every 100 females there were 110.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $59,107, and the median income for a family was $81,203. Males had a median income of $46,389 versus $38,750 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $40,825. About 4.0% of families and 4.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.4% of those under age 18 and 1.4% of those age 65 or over.
Beverly Shores buildings in the National Register of Historic Places
- The Bartlett Real Estate Office (added 2004 - Building #04000208), also known as Beverly Shores Administration Building, at 500 South Broadway
- The Beverly Shores South Shore Railroad StationBeverly Shores (NICTD)Beverly Shores is a station in Beverly Shores, Indiana, called on by South Shore Line trains. The station also serves the nearby Town of Pines....
(built 1929, added 1989 - Building #89000411), Broadway Avenue and US 12
- Beverly Shores--Century of Progress Architectural DistrictCentury of Progress Architectural DistrictThe Century of Progress Architectural District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The district is in eastern unit of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. The homes are also part of the Beverly Shores, Indiana, community...
(added 1986 - District #86001472), also known as World's Fair Houses, at 208, 210, 212, 214, and 215 Lake Front Drive
- The Imre and Maria Horner House (designed by Otto Kolb) (added 1996 - Building #96001006)
External links
- Town of Beverly Shores, Indiana website
- Association of Beverly Shores residents
- Beverly Shores Historical Society
- 1933 Chicago World's Fair-Century of Progress Homes restoration status
- History and photos of the Beverly Shores train station
- Photos and descriptions of the World's Fair Homes of 1933
- About the World's Fair Homes of 1933
- Beach water quality reports
- Bartlett's, the only restaurant in Beverly Shores
- Dunewood Campground