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Pictures of the Past: Images and Descriptions of Italian-American Immigrant Life in North Judson, Indiana - an intriguing look at North Judson's connection with several villages in northern Italy, by Indianapolis based video artist and North Judson native, Edward Boilini [requires Adobe Acrobat].
History Builds Pride in North Judson by Anne Laker.
The Railroad History of North Judson hosted by the Hoosier Valley Rail Museum.
Starke County, Indiana history and genealogy links, etc. from ATT net, including cemetery information.
History of Lena Park - find out about a land development scheme at the turn of the 20th century.
White City Legacy: Dunn's Bridge. Is the world's first Ferris wheel rusting away over the Kankakee River?
Located in Starke County in northwestern Indiana about seventy miles southeast of Chicago, North Judson was originally a railroad community. Today, many residents of North Judson are employed outside of the community in industry, transportation and service positions. Agriculture, especially mint, corn and soybean production, constitutes a major portion of the rural economic activity. The Town of North Judson is governed by a board of three trustees, elected at large. Most recent elections have been won by Democrats. Municipal services include streets, sewer and water, police, and two parks. The town/township library is currently undergoing a major expansion. The community is served by a volunteer fire department.
In the 1990 U.S. census, the population of the town of North Judson was 1582; the population of the North Judson zip code (46366) area was 8426. After recent decades, during which there was little or no population growth, recent trends are toward significant to robust population growth due to in migration by people from the urbanized areas of the Chicago region seeking the pleasures of Indiana's small town life.
[the following was adapted from "The Proud Town with a Rich History", a 1970's Chamber of Commerce publication]
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| Burche's Opera House was a landmark in early North Judson. To view more historical photographs from North Judson, scanned from the library collection, visit bigEastern.com's online exhibit Memory Lane Street. |
North Judson was laid out in 1866 although there were settlers here long before that time. Records of the Methodist Church indicate that a small congregation was organized in 1851, holding services in a school located in what is now the Enterprise Addition. The first recorded land entry in North Judson was for Wayne Township in 1845.
As a frontier and semi-frontier community until 1890, the North Judson area has a rich lore of early settlement activities. Reliance upon teams of oxen and the lack of machinery was evident in the predominately agricultural pursuits.
The marshes were gradually drained and large peat farms were developed. Today, remnants of the Grand Marsh can be seen at Kankakee Game Preserve, located north of town.
With the coming of the railroads, North Judson grew until it was large enough to incorporate in 1888. Tradition states that the town was named in honor of a railroad engineer, who frequently spent the night here. For a long time, a major portion of the local population made railroad construction and maintenance its livelihood. Some of our local residents with many years of railroad experience are involved in the restoration work being done at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum located on a segment of tracks preserved in the heart of town.
In more recent years, occupations and activities of our residents grew more diversified. North Judson is now working for greater civic improvements, additional industrial expansion and takes great pride in its attractive residential areas and beautiful town parks.
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| The War Memorial at Norwayne Park was renovated in the summer of 2000, with the addition of bronze plaques honoring North Judson's veterans. |
Much of the unique character of the town of North Judson can be traced to the ethnic diversity of its people. Polish, Italian, Scots-Irish, Czech, Latino, German, and English heritages mix. Japanese vegetables can be seen growing in the fields outside of town. The exchanging of customs and values has been responsible for much of the success and friendliness that is found here in North Judson.
There are many churches and many social fraternal and professional organizations in North Judson. Their goals are as varied as their members, but whether they are large or small, each offers something of value to our community.
 North Judson has always been an ethnically diverse community - this photo shows Sramek's Grocery at the corner of Land and Adair in the early 20th century. While a look at a phone book for most small towns in Indiana will turn up mostly German and English names, here in North Judson those will be joined by Polish, Bohemian, Rumanian, Latino, Japanese and Scots-Irish. Today these traditions continue to enrich the community's social and business life - try a homemade brat at Ray Wajda's store, or a fresh pastrey at Fingerhut's Bakery! |
North Judson has long been known as a center for specialty agriculture based on the muck soils - mint, potatoes, onions, and japanese vegetables as well as corn and soybeans.
North Judson is located in the heart of the midwest, between Chicago, Illinois, 83 miles northwest, and Indianapolis, Indiana, 109 miles southeast. This location gives local business and industry nearby access to large markets, with lower land, taxation, and labor costs.
Access to these and other cities is provided by a transportation system which includes three main highways: US Highway 421 to the west, State Highway 39 to the east and State Highway 10 that runs through North Judson. Two primary railroads and several airport facilities are within reasonable driving distance.
Families relocating in North Judson have found that our school systems have the highest academic standards, modern facilities and are fully accredited by the Indiana State Board of Education.
In the immediate area, one finds natural attractions such as the Bass Lake State Park Beach, the Tippecanoe River State Park. One of Indiana's most extensive natural areas is is the Jasper/Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area. Jasper/Pulaski the site of one of the midwest's most spectacular wildlife events: the spring and fall reunion of virtually the entire population of the Greater Eastern Sandhill Crane. The sight of these magnificent birds, with six foot wingspans, gathering in their thousands will not soon be forgotten.
Recreational facilities available to the public include baseball, basketball, tennis, horseshoes, swimming, hiking and picnicking areas. Many of these areas are equipped with lights, running water and sheltered tables. These areas draw in many people from near and far for family reunions which are held at The North Judson Town Park.
