Chesterton Apartments and Rentals

Nestled between metropolitan Chicago, the shores of Lake Michigan and Indiana Dunes State Park, Chesterton is a perfectly small town without being too far out in the country. With a population of approximately 13,000, this traditional Duneland town is an excellent choice for anyone looking to settle down in a tight knit community.

Chesterton apartments for rent are an excellent choice for individuals who want to have access to some of the region’s best nature spots and have a knack for historical settings.

Chesterton was home to the Potawatomi Tribe, a forest-dwelling native community, before explorers and settlers took over. The first white settler was a French fur trader named Joseph Bailly, who established the first fur trading post in the area in 1822. To this date, some of the preserved buildings Bailly built are open to the public to explore along the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore region.

Although Bailly settled first, Chesterton's first land owner was a Potawatomi woman named Mau-Me-Nass, who was given the land via a government treaty. Following her death, the space was given to her father, Pier Moran, and eventually to the William Thomas family, who established 46 lots as well as the downtown Chesterton area.

The downtown area was a hub for the Michigan Southern and Michigan Central railroad lines that ran into neighboring Westchester Township, which originally ran 24 trains a day through the town. Over the years, the railroad continued to expand, and the wood for the lines the engine fuel was supplied by local farmers from a wood yard established by the Thomas family. Eventually the town continued to grow, and more residents moved to the area and the first church, St. Patrick, was constructed.

In addition to the number of quaint antique, dining and historical spots, there are several major attractions located within the Chesterton area. The Indiana Dunes State Park lies within miles of the town, and includes some of the most pristine Lake Michigan beaches, flora and drifting sand hills in the country. During the summers, residents can post up for a day on the lakefront, camp within one of the 140 sites throughout the park or hike along many of the trails hidden within the wooded areas. During the winters, the trails are also a popular spot for cross-country skiers and brave souls interested in sledding down the dune’s legendary Devil’s Slide.

For residents interested in gaining more knowledge of the town's historical past, the Westchester Township Historical Museum is recommended.

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