The Original Town of Hammond, 1869 to 1894

After the Civil War, industrial sites developed along railroad lines on the periphery of expanding American cities like Chicago. The industries sought cheap land and access to markets for their products.  Often, they struggled to find a stable source of labor.  As these sites developed, investors recognized that these industrial sites offered opportunities for residential and commercial development. The process of town building was complex.  It involved a few persons with capital like Marcus Towle and Thomas Hammond.  It also included a critical mass of stable working class residents who bought houses and supplied necessary services   This presentation details the story of town building in Hammond when local capital developed the services and amenities vital to a satisfying urban life.