Why This Town Became Totally Surrounded by Heavy Industry

Marktown, located in East Chicago, Indiana, is a historic planned community designed by architect Howard Van Doren Shaw in 1917. It was originally conceived as a model industrial community for the Mark Manufacturing Company. The neighborhood was intended to provide housing for workers of the nearby steel mills and other industrial plants, integrating residential, commercial, and recreational spaces. However, over time, the surrounding region became increasingly dominated by heavy industry, including steel mills and refineries. This transformation was driven by the industrial boom in the Midwest, which saw large-scale industrial complexes expanding around existing communities. Consequently, Marktown found itself surrounded by industry, leading to its unique situation as a residential enclave amidst a predominantly industrial landscape.