Overview

Set in the middle of Lake County, Merrillville is part of the Gary metropolitan area. The city is located just forty miles from Chicago and within a few hours' drive of Forth Wayne, Indianapolis, Toledo, and Detroit. Several major interstates connect Merrillville to these large metropolitan areas, including I-65, US 30, and SR 53. Residents of Merrillville trace the city's beginnings to 1834, when Potawatomi Indians lived in the area and named it McGwinn Village. Since then, the city has flourished, changing names twice, and finally incorporating in 1971. Today's Merrillville offers educational and cultural opportunities and, in its 14 area parks, swimming, boating, fishing and picnicking. Thanks to its proximity to the southern tip of Lake Michigan, pleasant shorelines are within a reasonable driving distance. Three major colleges and universities also call Merrillville home: Calumet College of St. Joseph, Indiana University Northwest, and Purdue University Calumet. New-comers to the area can educate themselves about the region by visiting the Merrillville-Ross Township Historical Museum, housed in a former schoolhouse. The city also boasts the Star Plaza Theatre, which showcases a variety of cultural performances annually.

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