A new chapter in Michigan City’s industrial legacy is underway at The Barker Depot.
We’ve officially broken ground on the future Barker Depot Museum, an exciting new space that will celebrate Michigan City’s rich railroad history. Soon, it will feature a historic 1902 freight car, originally built right here in Michigan City by the renowned Haskell & Barker Car Company. This freight car is a rare surviving example of early 20th-century railroad craftsmanship and serves as a tangible link to the region’s industrial heritage.
The Haskell & Barker Car Company, once one of the largest railcar manufacturers in the country, operated on the very site where the Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets now stand, along Wabash Street. At its peak, the company played a significant role in the economic development of the area, employing thousands of local residents and producing railcars that were shipped across the nation.
The inclusion of this freight car in the museum’s collection highlights not only the engineering achievements of the time but also honors the legacy of the workers and the vital role Michigan City played in America’s railroad history.
Stay tuned for more updates as we bring this important piece of local history back to life.
