Portage Community Historical Society (Indiana)

06/10/2026

Unfortunately no date on the clipping but interesting information.

06/06/2026

Free fishing weekend and we have a pond!

INDIANA'S FREE FISHING WEEKEND BEGINS TODAY (JUNE 6-7, 2026) 🎣🐟
All weekend, Hoosier residents can fish Indiana's public waters with no license or trout/salmon stamp needed. Kids 17 and under are always free. Get fishing information and locations at on.IN.gov/freefish.

05/31/2026

Most Native-Americans were relocated west of the Mississippi by 1840. However, the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi avoided removal. I want to thank Dr. Mark Schurr for contributing to this column.
In Indiana, treaties between the Native-Americans and the U. S. government began with the Treaty of Greenville in 1795 and culminated with the Treaty of Chicago in 1833.The Indian Removal Act signed in 1830 authorized the federal government to negotiate treaties with the purpose of removing all Indians to lands west of the Mississippi.

Potawatomi Chief Leopold Pokagon came to the belief that if his tribe would convert to Catholicism it would be allowed to remain. In 1830 Leopold traveled to the Detroit Diocese and requested a "black robe" to be assigned to his tribe. Pokagon and his wife were then baptized by Vicar General Father Frederick Rese. In late 1830 Father Stephen Baden established the mission to serve Pokagon's tribe, afterwards the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi was officially recognized. Catholic Indians and those willing to convert joined Pokagon's tribe.

Pokagon's tribe had claim to around 1 million acres of land in Southeast Michigan, Northwest Indiana and the area in Illinois around present day Chicago. Pokagon was leveraged into selling all of his lands for a paltry 3 cents per acre— collecting the funds presented a problem.

With the initial annuity payments Pokagon purchased 874 acres in Cass County, Michigan. Father Badin then petitioned the government to amend the 1833 Chicago Treaty of Chicago to exempt Pokagon's his tribe from forced removal. In 1840 the Michigan Supreme Court decided that Pokagon's Catholic Potawatomi were protected from relocation. Leopold Pokagon's victory was short lived before his death in 1841. Pokagon’s successor—his son Simon— was required to secure his tribes rights and establish their new home in Michigan.

I believe Simon's mother's wisdom to have him educated in the ways of the white man in white schools is what gave Simon the foundation to deal with the roadblocks he faced completing his father's work. His first hurdle was to persuade the government to honor their payment obligations. He realized success eventually, but it was not until 1896 that the government finally made good on its debt—nearly 50 years after the sale! Although, Simon died in poverty his descendants, because of his efforts, was later to build the Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo, Michigan securing his tribe's financial security. In 1994 President Bill Clinton signed legislation affirming The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi sovereignty.

Pictured is Leopold Pokagon.

05/20/2026

Found this from years ago when Portage changed named streets.

04/25/2026

Portage Township Schools invites all to celebrate and honor Aylesworth Elementary as it closes an important chapter.

The remembrance will take place on May 5, 2026, and will include:

- A Morning Walk-Thru from 10:00–11:30 a.m
- Retiree reception from 4:00–5:00 p.m.
- Evening Walk-Thru and reception from 5:00–6:00 p.m.

The community is invited to come together to reflect on the memories, celebrate the people, and honor the lasting impact of Aylesworth Elementary!

04/24/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1B2HArkFQs/?mibextid=wwXIfr

04/21/2026

We’d like to highlight other nonprofits who have been a friend of the Portage Community Historical Society.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1BJtpSKfBi/?mibextid=wwXIfr

We are excited to have received our first vehicle donation! We will have a small SUV and a sedan available for sale very soon. We understand not everyone is in a position to donate a vehicle, but perhaps you know someone or work for a company who could. Please share and help us help others.