As they settled in Gary, immigrant groups established communities, built churches and schools, and clung to their cultural traditions. Glen Park included Poles, Slovaks, Serbs, Russians, and Italians. Through archival photographs, family snapshots provided by former residents, and shared memories, the reader is taken on a nostalgic journey from the city's founding in 1906 through to the 21st century.
The Polish Community of Gary is a vibrantly illustrated tale of the history of the Midwest's Steel City and its Polish-Catholic residents. It reveals the journey of hopeful and hard-working Polish immigrants who arrived in the early 1900s, established an ethnic community, and adapted to the American way of life. This fascinating photographic compilation of almost 200 images features various past and present residents of Gary. It examines the city's diverse ethnic groups and religious denominations, offering a glimpse of a life very different from that of today. Along with detailed captions, The Polish Community of Gary offers the rare chance to experience the history of Polish Gary, bringing its exciting past alive again. Author John Trafny traces the story of past trials, tribulations, and triumphs with skill, compassion, and an insider's eye.