Featured on the walls of the Indiana Welcome Center, stories of legendary men and women from along the South Shore who have changed the world educate and inspire residents and visitors. The South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority recently launched a microsite to help tell the stories of those men and women.
The South Shore Wall of Legends is a seven-county initiative dedicated to celebrating ordinary people who have done extraordinary things. The counties include Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton, Jasper, Pulaski and Starke. Inductees range from scientists to inventors to social innovators.
John Davies, project coordinator for the South Shore Wall of Legends, explained that each inductee has in some way changed the world for the better.
“We need to be reminded of greatness in our neighborhoods, that people overcame huge challenges for what they believe in,” stated Davies.
According to Davies, the South Shore Wall of Legends inductees’ narratives are the stories of America.
“People should take pride in that there are legendary people right here in our region who have made America what it is and have made this region great, and they can inspire us every day,” said Davies.
Speros A. Batistatos, president and CEO of the South Shore CVA, believes the stories of the legends are important to share with visitors.
“One of the legends includes Jean Shepherd, who was from Hammond. Shepherd has put the region on the map with his classic holiday tale, ‘A Christmas Story,’” said Batistatos. “Additionally, people can learn about Dorothy Richard Buell, a woman who inspired many others to support the fight to save the dunes and ultimately helped form the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.”
The South Shore Wall of Legends is sponsored by the BP Whiting Business Unit. Visitors can find the South Shore Wall of Legends microsite by visiting www.southshorecva.com/legends. For more information, contact the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority at 219-554-2175.
