Swedish Farmsteads of Porter County, Indiana

The Swedish American Farmsteads of Porter County, Indiana are representative of the numerous rural communities settled by a significant ethnic population.

[1] This collection is the most complete early 20th century complex within the Swedish cultural landscape of Baileytown and has retained a great deal of integrity.

The proximity to Chicago provided an avenue for Swedish immigrants to reach northern Indiana during the primary migration period from 1840 until 1920.

Coming to America opened new horizons, which were often exaggerated in letters to family back in Sweden.

By 1920, Swedish-American cultural activities in Chicago included Swedish language newspapers and arts.

There is a story that a Jonas Asp recruited Swedes to work for Joel Wicker cutting lumber for shipment to Chicago.

By the mid-19th century the congregation split in two and founded the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Chesterton[4] The Chellberg Farm is significant as it represents the ethnic heritage of this nearly forgotten Swedish American settlement.

[1] The farm includes the family home, water house with windmill, chicken coop/bunkhouse, and the original barn.

The farm was originally 20 acres (8.1 ha) with a later addition to the south to gain access to the Little Calumet River.

The entire property was under cultivation at the time of the farm and has slowly returned to immature woodland of silver maple and elms.

In the northeast corner of the property, along Oak Hill Road, is the original drainage basin for the farm, funneling water to the east.

As the families wealth increased, a larger residence was constructed around the log cabin and a barn added.

Located on E. Oak Hill Road, Porter, Indiana, north of the Swedish Skola.

Unlike in Sweden, the bell tower has been enclosed and the lower room that was created is used for tools and wood storage.

[11] The Augsberg Svenska Skola is a contributing property in the proposed Swedish Farmstead Historic District.

The cemetery is located south of Augsburg Lutheran Church on Beam Road in Porter, Indiana.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church is a contributing property in the proposed Swedish Farmstead Historic District.

The church is not located near the historic farms, but in town at the corner of Lincoln Ave and Second Street, Chesterton, Indiana.