Elkhart IN Moving Companies

Elkhart, Indiana

Elkhart is a vibrant city with nearly 52,000 residents living in some 16,000 residential units. The city is located in North-Central Indiana, approximately one hundred miles from Chicago, 134 miles from Indianapolis and two hundred from Detroit. In addition, Elkhart has some fantastic public amenities. The city is home to a state-of the-art ice rink, a water park, and newly renovated swimming pool. Elkhart also boasts an excellent beach and public golf course. All of these amenities make the community a great moving destination.

History:
At the beginning of the 19th century, the area now known as Elkhart was mainly inhabited by the Ottawa, Chippewa, and Potawatomi Indian tribes. In 1829, the Village of Pulaski was established, consisting of a Post Office, mill, and a few houses on the north side of the St. Joseph River. Two years later, Dr. Havilah Beardsley moved westward from Ohio and purchased one square mile of land from Pierre Moran in order to establish a rival town named Elkhart. In 1839, the Pulaski Post Office was officially changed to Elkhart. In 1851, the Michigan Southern and Northern Indiana Railroad Company built the first rail line through the city, and by 1852, the first passenger train passed through town. This, in turn, caused major population growth. By the late 19th century and early 20th century, musical instrument factories, Miles Medical Company, and numerous mills set up shop and became the base of the economy. In 1934, the first trailer factory opened in Elkhart. Similar companies followed suit for the remainder of the decade, and the economy continued to grow until the rationing of materials in World War II. After the war, growth picked back up and, by 1949, Elkhart was officially dubbed the "Trailer Capital of the World.”

Economy:
Elkhart's thriving business economy is due in large part to the entrepreneurial spirit that has been prevalent in our community for more than a century. Featuring a substantial civic commitment to economic development and retention, a diverse workforce with a strong work ethic and our strategic location in the heart of the Midwest, Elkhart is home to leading manufacturers in the Recreational Vehicle, Marine, Musical Instrument, Manufactured Housing, and many other important Industries. Elkhart’s most known for two industries; recreational vehicles and musical instruments and has been referenced as the "RV Capital of the World" and the "Band Instrument Capital of the World" for decades. Other notable industries in Elkhart include; pharmaceuticals, electronic components, recreational vehicles (RVs), manufactured housing and mobile homes. Numerous manufacturers of musical instruments and accessories, of which most of the surviving companies have been absorbed into the Conn-Selmer conglomerate, have a long history in the city. Elkhart is also home to Thor Motor Coach (Formerly Damon Motor Coach and Four Winds International) the number one retail selling motorhome manufacturer in North America. Elkhart is home to many Recreational vehicle (RV) manufacturers, boat manufacturers, and van conversion companies. The city is also home to some small and large shops, which support the RV industry, as well as many other companies, such as famous jewelry manufacturer Images Jewelers. The city is also home to the Robert Young Rail Yards, which are the second largest freight classification yards in the world.

Tourism:
The city of Elkhart is home to an unusually wide variety of museums, a truly unique feature for a city of its size. From art to transportation and from the traditional to the unusual, you'll find the museums of Elkhart to be a fascinating look at the diverse history of the area. The Elkhart County Historical Museum contains more than 20,000 artifacts, a working genealogy library, and an archive containing government and business records, offering visitors a firsthand account of what life was like for those who settled the area that would become Elkhart County. Various displays including historical themes and time periods such a Victorian row house, a one-room school, a rain depot, a general store, a dentist, a barber, a pharmacy, a tool room and Native American artifacts bring history to life. The building itself, now known as the Rush Memorial Center, is on the National Register of Historical Places. Next, the Midwest Museum of American Art is an outstanding art museum, the Midwest Museum of American Art. Founded in 1979, the museum has more than 2,500 works in its permanent collection, with at least 200 on display at any one time. The collection consists of paintings, prints, drawings, watercolors, sculptures, and photographs of significance in the history of American art. In addition to its permanent collection, the Midwest Museum offers 8 to ten stimulating temporary shows each year.

Universities/Colleges:

• University of Notre Dame
• Indiana University
• Western Michigan University
• Andrews University
• Purdue University
• Valparaiso University
• Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Interesting Facts:

• In 1889, the second electric streetcar system in the world began operation on the city's streetsIt has since been decommissioned.
• In 1884, Dr. Franklin Miles launched the Miles Medical Co. in Elkhart, which in later decades produced products like Alka-Seltzer and Flintstones Vitamins.
• Due to the high concentration of the RV industry in the area, Elkhart is dubbed the "RV Capital of the World."
• The Charles R. Walter Piano is also hand-crafted in Elkhart.