Located in Lake County, Indiana, Gary was established in 1906. Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 grew up in Gary. Built from scratch in 1906 as a company town for US Steel.
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Founded1906|Population66,000|Peak66,000(2024)|CountyLake County
Top 10 Most Important Events for Gary, Indiana
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1906US Steel: Built as company town for US Steel.
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1906Natural Disaster: Gary was impacted by a significant flooding.
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1958Michael Jackson Born: King of Pop born in Gary.
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1967Richard Hatcher: One of first Black mayors of major U.S. city.
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1980Decline: Steel collapse devastates city.
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Complete Historical Timeline
1906Industry
US Steel
1906Disaster
Natural Disaster
1958Culture
Michael Jackson Born
1967Politics
Richard Hatcher
1980Business
Decline
Did You Know?
1
Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 grew up in Gary.
2
Built from scratch in 1906 as a company town for US Steel.
3
Population peaked at 178K in 1960; declined to about 66K.
4
Gary is located in Lake County, Indiana.
Famous People from Gary, Indiana
JJ
Janet Jackson
Actor, Writer · Born May 16, 1966 · Age 59
PS
Paul Samuelson
Writer, Economist · Born May 15, 1915 · Died Dec 13, 2009 (age 94)
JS
Joseph E. Stiglitz
Writer, Professor · Born Feb 9, 1943 · Age 83
FB
Frank Borman
Astronaut, Test Pilot · Born Mar 14, 1928 · Died Nov 7, 2023 (age 95)
LJ
Latoya Jackson
Actor, Singer · Born May 29, 1956 · Age 69
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