Whiting: A City Rich in History

The name “Whiting” predates the city of Whiting. In 1869, when “Pop” Whiting, a fearless (some have preferred to call him reckless) engineer ditched his heavy freight train so a fast passenger train behind him could have the right of way, not many signs of human habitation could be found at the site.

The railroads had brought what settlers there were. In 1850, when the federal government ceded the area to the State of Indiana, it was classified as swamp land and was notable for little more than its great sand ridges parallel to Lake Michigan. In 1851, the Michigan Southern Railroad, the first of three rail lines, was built across the wilderness. German settlers, lured by high wages of $1 a day, followed to build and maintain the railroad tracks. At the end of the Civil War, Henry Schrage opened the first store, a business that became the commercial, political, and social center of the community. When Schrage became postmaster of the new post office in 1871, the name of the community was shortened from Pop Whiting’s Siding to Whiting. In 1880, the Census Bureau counted 115 people there. Standard Oil Company began quietly buying up land along the lakefront in March and April of 1889. The company need a Midwestern industrial site convenient to rail and water transportation to refine crude oil, and Whiting fit those requirements perfectly. With the refinery, the community’s history changed forever.

About Whiting

Discover the City of Whiting, a beautiful corridor to Lake Michigan nestled between the sites of Chicago and the shores of Michigan. This heartwarming community highlights award-winning schools, residential opportunities, family attractions, and events for all to enjoy. Our downtown is flourishing with quaint shops, a historic movie theatre, a micro-brewery, and a wide variety of cuisine; all within walking distance. Take in a game at Oil City Stadium or enjoy a stroll along the boardwalk in Whiting Lakefront Park. Whiting is the perfect place to raise a family, start a business, or simply embrace the quality of life.