Hammond

Hammond is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. It is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. The population was 83,048. The first permanent residents arrived around 1847 to settle on land between the Grand and Little Calumet Rivers, on the South end of Lake Michigan. Those first residents were German farmers newly arrived from Europe looking for land and opportunity. Before that time, the area was a crossroad for Indian tribes, explorers, stagecoach lines and supply lines to the West. Convenient location and abundant fresh water from Lake Michigan led to the beginning of Hammond’s industrialization in 1869 with the G.H. Hammond Company packing house following merchants and farmers to the area. Hammond was incorporated on April 21, 1884. Hammond is one of the oldest cities in Lake County, with Crown Point being the oldest, established in 1834.

On June 22, 1918, the Hammond circus train wreck occurred about 5 1/2 miles east of the city, killing 86 and injuring 127 persons.

Hammond is also the home of The First Baptist Church of Hammond, one of the nation’s largest congregations.

The Flag of Hammond depicts the Grand Calumet River and the Little Calumet River.