[1] Notable landmarks in Northside include the East Chicago City Hall and Central High School.

[1] To the east, the residential area is bounded by Indianapolis Boulevard; beyond that lies the industrial district along the Indiana Harbor and Ship Canal.

To the north, it is bounded by the Lake George branch of the Canal; beyond that lies a vast industrial district that includes the Whiting Refinery and the East Chicago Confined Disposal Facility.

Prior to the 20th century, Northside was a wooded dune and swale area, which saw little settlement during the first years of East Chicago's existence.

[3] In the early twentieth century, Northside became the preferred destination for wealthier, native-born Americans, in contrast to the poorer immigrant residents in other parts of East Chicago.