Why Hobart
Hobart is a city situated in Lake County, Indiana, roughly 31 miles southeast of Chicago. Covering a total area of approximately 26.7 square miles, the community was historically primarily residential, though expansion through annexation has introduced major retail corridors to the municipality. Travelers reaching the area can utilize regional and international airports in Gary and Chicago, as well as the Hobart Sky Ranch Airport, located two miles north of the central business district.
The settlement was platted in 1849 by George Earle, an English immigrant who purchased land from the Potawatomi Native American tribe and constructed a dam along the Deep River, forming Lake George. Earle named the community after his brother, Frederick Hobart Earle. Following its incorporation as a town in 1889 and later as a city in 1921, Hobart established a rich architectural heritage. The First Unitarian Church of Hobart, the Hobart Carnegie Library, the Pennsylvania Railroad Station, and the Hobart Commercial District are all listed on the National Register of Historic Places, alongside Works Progress Administration projects such as the municipal post office.
Downtown Hobart is home to historic retail sites and entertainment venues like the Art Theatre. To the south, near the junction of U.S. Route 30 and Interstate 65, sits the super-regional Southlake Mall along with extensive surrounding shopping and dining establishments. The city also hosts notable corporate facilities, including the Indiana Botanic Gardens, the nation's largest and oldest herbal retailer, as well as Midwest Products, a long-established manufacturer of hobby materials and radio-controlled model aircraft.
Outdoor recreation in Hobart revolves around Lake George, where visitors gather to walk along the waterfront, fish, or boat. During warmer months, live musical performances take place near the clock tower at Lakefront Park and at the Revelli Bandshell, while nearby Festival Park offers space to view waterfowl. The city maintains 14 public parks, an outdoor swimming pool, an 18-hole public golf course, and various athletic fields. Hikers and cyclists can explore the Oak Savannah trail, which runs through the area and passes the 90-acre Hobart Prairie Grove Unit of Indiana Dunes National Park. Local nature preserves also include the Cressmoor Prairie, a dedicated state preserve recognized as Indiana's largest protected silt-loam prairie.
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