Want to find out . . .

  • When your house was built?
  • Who first lived in your house?
  • Who built your house?
  • What your house first looked like?
  • How your house has changed through the years?
  • Who has lived in your house & what they did?
  • What style of architecture your house is?
The La Porte County Public Library can help you find answers to these questions for homes in La Porte and La Porte County.
Annual La Porte City Directories show people's addresses and occupations. Since 1915, an index by address has been included. But remember, some street names and house numbers changed in the earlier days!
Ten-Year Census records, on microfilm through 1920, give names of everyone living in a household and other information about them.
La Porte Newspapers, on microfilm, may have information on your houses's construction, sales, and residents . But if you don't have the date of an event, you'll need time and patience to find your information.
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, for various years from 1886-1928, show outlines on microfilm of what houses looked like in La Porte. You can see what your house and other buildings on your lot were made of and how they changed from map to map!
La Porte History Books and Pamphlet Files give information about some houses and families that can also be useful.

The La Porte County Museum, La Porte County Court House,
and La Porte County Assessors Offices have more information.