Robertsdale (Hammond)
The Whiting post office (46394) serves not only the city of Whiting but also this adjacent neighborhood in Hammond. Robertsdale and Whiting are "inextricably linked", sharing for example a single chamber of commerce. In the early 20th century, Whiting and Robertsdale shared a common ethnic composition: nearly 90% Slavic and 50% Slovak. The economies of both Whiting and Robertsdale have historically been dominated by the Whiting Refinery, originally built by Standard Oil and now operated by British Petroleum.
History
The portion of the neighborhood near the northern tip of Wolf Lake corresponds to the former town of Roby. The name "Roby" continued long after the town was absorbed into Hammond, and the area was known in the early 20th century as a criminal haven. The Roby Speedway, a popular automotive racetrack, operated in the area from 1920 to 1936.
Geography
Robertsdale's geography is dominated by bodies of water: Wolf Lake and Lake George, largely surrounded by parkland, take up much of the neighborhood's southern half. The remainder of the neighborhood is divided between industrial uses north of Wolf Lake and residential uses to the east of Wolf Lake. Commercial corridors run along the Calumet Avenue and Indianapolis Boulevard arteries. Local attractions include the Horseshoe Hammond casino, on the Lake Michigan shore.
References
- ^ New Federal Building -- U.S. Courthouse, Hammond: Environmental Impact Statement. 1993.
- ^ Kimberly Eck; Jennifer Linko (2013). Whiting and Robertsdale. p. 8. ISBN 978-0-7385-9861-1.
- ^ Whiting-Robertsdale Chamber of Commerce. "Vision". Retrieved 2017-11-07.
- ^ Patrice Madura Ward-Steinman (2010). Madura's Danceland. p. 8. ISBN 978-0-7385-8426-3.
- ^ "Roby Speedway history preserved at library". Times of Northwest Indiana. 2016-01-08.
- ^ "Robertsdale Planning District I" (PDF). 2003. Retrieved 2017-11-10.