Secret Northwest Indiana: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure

by Joseph S. Pete

Where in the landlocked state of Indiana can you sunbathe on a beach in the shadow of hulking steel mills, surf by an oil refinery, or scuba-dive to see old shipwrecks? A blend of Indiana and neighboring Chicago, Northwest Indiana is a one-of-a-kind place filled with wonders, like Frank Lloyd Wright-designed homes and a hike USA Today described as one of the country’s most scenic. And behind its unique “coastal” setting lie some equally intriguing hidden gems and untold stories. Secret Northwest Indiana: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure leads a whirlwind tour of the Calumet Region that extends from Chicago’s far South Side, through the south suburbs and Northwest Indiana, and into Southwest Michigan. Read about a submarine inventor who sailed under Lake Michigan and the free-spirited Diana of the Dunes, who inspired preservation efforts that led to the Indiana Dunes National Park. Explore hidden Nike missile silos, bygone ski jumps, secret spots to photograph the jets taking off for the Chicago Air and Water Show, and the infamous Marriage Mill, where celebrities flocked to get hitched. Prepare for singing porta-potties, tree graveyards, and other strangeness. Local author and journalist Joseph S. Pete gives you a look behind the curtain in a region you might think you already know well. With his stories and tips, you’ll find no shortage of new secret places to explore in Northwest Indiana.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

Published April 15, 2022

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an unconventional guidebook to Northwest Indiana, highlighting all the lesser known gems. I'm a transplant from just over the border but have lived here for 18 years. It was interesting to read about some of the more obscure locations. There were places that I've driven by and always wondered about and Joseph Pete offered up that background history in this book. Secret Northwest Indiana provides enough material for the well-adventured in the region, as well as those just looking to explore.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Local journalist Joseph Pete does a good job speed-running through a range of oddities, tourist traps and historical sites throughout Northwest Indiana. Pete showcases a warm sense of humor as well as the deep knowledge of someone who has seen these spaces with his own eyes (and is thus able to sprinkle helpful little hints throughout the text).

By design, the book offers only a "bite" for each destination, whereas I typically enjoy a full meal. More context on the region as a whole and how these different destinations interact would be welcome. Toward that point, I also would have appreciated a map showing everything in one view. But it's a well-crafted local perspective, one I enjoyed spending time with.

[Dalyn Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secret Northwest Indiana: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure is a deeply engaging exploration of a region that defies expectations at every turn.

Joseph S. Pete masterfully reveals Northwest Indiana as a place of striking contrasts—industrial skylines beside sandy beaches, forgotten history hidden beneath modern infrastructure, and stories so unusual they feel almost fictional, yet grounded firmly in place. The book’s strength lies in how seamlessly it blends history, travel writing, and local folklore into a narrative that is both informative and entertaining.

What truly elevates the book is Pete’s storytelling voice. Rather than simply cataloging oddities, he contextualizes them—connecting submarine inventors, hidden missile silos, and legendary figures like Diana of the Dunes to the cultural and environmental identity of the region. Each chapter feels like an invitation to look closer, to question assumptions, and to explore with curiosity.

The guide is equally appealing to locals, Midwest travelers, and readers who enjoy offbeat nonfiction. It encourages exploration not just of physical places, but of the overlooked stories that shape them. By the final pages, readers come away with a renewed sense that Northwest Indiana is far more complex, beautiful, and strange than its reputation suggests.

This is a standout entry in regional nonfiction—thoughtful, surprising, and endlessly browseable.

[David Carriere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secret Northwest Indiana: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure is an enchanting deep dive into a region most think they know, yet Joseph S. Pete reveals in all its hidden glory. From beaches shadowed by steel mills to scuba diving adventures around shipwrecks, Pete blends history, local lore, and quirky trivia into a compelling narrative that reads like a guided treasure hunt.

The book sparkles with unexpected discoveries Frank Lloyd Wright homes, secret Nike missile silos, the whimsical Diana of the Dunes, and even singing porta potties each story delivered with humor, insight, and a keen sense of place. Pete’s journalistic eye brings the Calumet Region alive, making readers feel as if they are wandering alongside him through forgotten streets, hidden parks, and bizarre landmarks.

For fans of offbeat travel guides, regional history, or anyone curious about the unusual corners of familiar territory, this book is both entertaining and informative a true celebration of Indiana’s weird and wonderful side.

[Heather W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secret Northwest Indiana is a lively, surprising, and deeply engaging exploration of a region that defies easy categorization. Joseph S. Pete expertly blends local history, cultural oddities, and environmental contrasts to reveal Northwest Indiana as a place where steel mills loom over beaches, abandoned missile silos sit near scenic trails, and forgotten stories hum beneath everyday landscapes. The book is both informative and entertaining, offering readers the thrill of discovery page after page.

What truly elevates this guide is Pete’s storytelling instinct. Rather than simply cataloging strange sites, he contextualizes them with human stories, historical depth, and journalistic clarity. From eccentric figures like Diana of the Dunes to hidden industrial relics and improbable recreational spaces, the book captures the soul of a region shaped by industry, migration, and reinvention. It’s an essential read for locals, travelers, and anyone fascinated by the overlooked corners of American geography.