Initially, the site of modern Lake Station was the starting point of two indigenous trails leading to Fort Dearborn.

[5] The location became known as Lake Station as far back as 1851 when it began to serve as a depot, the western terminus of the Michigan Central Railroad[5] (on what would later become its Detroit to Chicago line).

[5] A year later, in April 1852, George Earle mapped out and platted a town[5] of about 6,500 acres (26 km2) on the site, continuing its name of Lake Station.

Being a bedroom community, Lake Station welcomed Abraham Lincoln to its Audubon Hotel, perhaps on more than one occasion, according to oral history.

But George Pullman, who tried to negotiate for land in Lake Station for his proposed railcar company, never struck a deal and set up shop on the south side of Chicago instead.

With another name change in 1977, primarily to disassociate itself from the urban decay and crime of Gary, the city reverted to its historical designation of Lake Station.

Keith's daughter, Miranda N. Brakley (married name Barnitt), a court clerk, was found guilty of embezzlement and filing bad bankruptcy papers.

Under state law, a mayor convicted of a felony forfeits his elected office.

Major employers include Sun Engineering, and Pro-Chem-Co. Lake Station's busiest rail line is CSX Transportation's Porter Subdivision.

The Chicago, Fort Wayne and Eastern Railroad also runs through Lake Station.

[10][11] Lake Station also plays host to some events such as the Fuzz Follies, which is a car show that takes place in Riverview Park every year since 1984.

The River Forest Community School Corporation serves the West End of Lake Station (approximately one-third of the city).