What Happened to Hammond, Indiana?
Welcome to Hammond, Indiana – the Chicago suburb with a chip on its shoulder, a wall on its border and a history full of fire (sometimes literally). In this video, we dive into the chaotic past and present of Hammond: a city that once thrived, then declined, then decided to start walling off its neighbors like it’s trying to ghost the rest of the Calumet Region.
From flood walls that weren’t really for floods, to neighborhoods that literally caught fire from toxic runoff, Hammond’s story is full of bizarre choices and even stranger outcomes. We explore how race, class, and politics shaped the city's borders – and why the city’s attempt to wall itself off from Gary and Calumet City may have backfired.
We’ll look at Hammond’s population loss, the controversial hospital closure, its struggling schools, rising crime, and whether its Downtown redevelopment plan might actually bring it back from the brink. Oh yeah – and there’s also a monument that’s technically one of the oldest standing structures in Chicago… but it’s in Indiana. Because of course it is.
So buckle up for weird history, rust belt drama, and a Livability Score that’ll make you say “yikes.”
📍 Featured Topics:
– Intro 0:00 - 1:13
-- Border walls with Calumet City & Gary 1:13 - 15:12
– Downtown Hammond and it's redevelopment plan 15:12 - 27:32
– History 27:32 - 30:03
– Chris's Livability Score 30:03 - 37:54
👇 Got a city or hometown you want me to visit next? Drop it in the comments or send me a DM on my other platforms:
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📩 Want to collaborate or feature your city? Hit me up.
#HammondIndiana #UrbanDecay #CalumetRegion #RustBelt #GaryIndiana #CityDecline #MidwestDocumentary #BorderWalls #DowntownRedevelopment #TheRegion
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