The City of Gary recently received a $28.2 million dollar grant from the Northwest Indiana Redevelopment Authority for restoration of Marquette Park, including the historic Gary Aquatorium, Marquette Pavilion, lagoon and landscape.

U.S. Steel donated the 115-acre park site to the City of Gary in 1919. Chicago landscape architect Jens Jensen designed the park, Named for French Jesuit missionary Father Jacques Marquette. Renowned architects George W. Maher and his son Phillip designed both the monumental Aquatorium bath house and grand Marquette Pavilion.

To assist with the project, Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana received grant from the Efroymson Family Fund of the Central Indiana Community Foundation to restore the memorial sculpture of Father Marquette at the park’s entrance. New York sculptor Henry Hering created the statue in 1932. Hering is probably best known in Indiana for crafting “Pro Patria”, which stands at the Indiana World War Memorial in Indianapolis. The sculpture was the largest bronze statue America when it was cast in 1929.

For more information about restoration at Marquette Park, contact Christopher Meyer, Director of Planning, City of Gary, 219-881-5090. You can learn more about Marquette Park in the Heritage Travel section of our website.