Discover Griffith

Railway Heritage and Culture in Griffith

For a stay in Griffith, there are several cultural points of interest to consider: railway sites, a section of trail between Griffith and Schererville, and festivals with their own distinct themes. They help you distinguish between interests, geographic connections, and a recurring event date.

Griffith Historical Park was created to honor Griffith’s railway history. A caboose donated by the EJ&E Railway is also part of the park. This brings together a clearly stated historical purpose and a specific railway artifact. For travelers interested in the history of rail transport, this combination makes the park’s focus clear: its dedication gives it a historical context, while the caboose is a specific example of its railway connection.

The Grand Trunk Depot and the E J & E Interlocking Tower also represent distinct historical points of interest. The depot was added to both the National Register of Historic Places and the Indiana Register of Historic Sites and Structures in 2004. The E J & E Interlocking Tower in Griffith Historical Park is listed in both registers. For the depot, the year of its listing provides a specific point in time; for the tower, the focus is on its listing in two registers. Together, the two sites offer different examples of Griffith’s railway history: a depot and an interlocking tower, each with its own register listing.

Lake County Parks manages the section of the Erie Lackawanna Trail between Griffith and Schererville. This geographic connection differs from that of the historic sites: the trail is defined as a section between two named places, while the depot and tower are specific structures in Griffith. When planning your stay around a particular theme, you can distinguish between railway heritage tied to a specific place and a trail that connects different communities.

Visits to Griffith Historical Park (Depot and Train Museum) are available on some Sundays or by appointment. Check visiting options in advance.

Festivals and Travel Planning

The events also have different themes. Griffith Park Full of Art takes place every year on the third weekend of July. If you would like to plan your stay around this festival, that weekend is a recurring date to keep in mind; check the specific festival dates before making plans. The Rock ‘N Rail Music & Street Festival in Griffith features a car and motorcycle show, as well as food and arts and crafts vendors. The Broad Street Blues and BBQ Festival in Griffith features BBQ, beer, and wine. You can plan your trip around either the annual date of Full of Art or the themes of the other festivals.

When looking for a hotel in Griffith, you can start with the reason for your trip. A festival can set the theme; for Full of Art, the recurring July date also provides a time frame to consider. The historic sites and the trail section offer other points of reference when choosing where to stay. You can first consider which side of Griffith best suits your trip.

Discover more destinations: Schererville, Gary, Munster, Cedar Lake, Hammond, Crown Point, Merrillville, Hobart.

For the broader travel overview: Lake.