Page Contents for Valparaiso, Indiana

Statistics & Facts

Location

History & History-related items

Historical Events

Community events.

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Statistics & Facts

The Indiana state capital is Indianapolis.
The population of Valparaiso is approximately 24,414 (1990), 31730 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 9,293 (1990), 12610 (2010).
The amount of land area in Valparaiso is 26.285 sq. kilometers.
The amount of surface water is 0.003 sq kilometers.
The distance from Valparaiso to Washington DC is 578 miles.
The distance to the Indiana state capital is 127 miles. (as the crow flies)
Valparaiso is positioned 41.47 degrees north of the equator and 87.05 degrees west of the prime meridian.

Location

in northwest Indiana
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History & History Related Items

Known as "Vale of Paradise" or "The Vale," for short in many locally-written poems from around 1900. This translation of a Spanish name (one of the few in Indiana) was given to the former town of Portersville shortly after it was made county seat of the newly-formed Porter County in 1836. It was named by sailors who had served with Capt. David Porter in the War of 1812 off of Valparaiso, Chile.

Valparaiso is the former home of Orville Redenbacher, who developed his "Redbow" popcorn by distributing the results of his breeding program to the local Premier Theater and 49er Drive-In (drive-in still in operation).
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Valparaiso Historical Events

1998, March 19
"Sweet Sixteen"
Valparaiso University Crusaders, the men's basketball team, entered the "Sweet Sixteen" round of the NCAA Final Four playoffs. Valparaiso is only the second, 13th seeded team in NCAA history to make it to the Sweet Sixteen round. The small, midwest school has captured the imagination of the nation in two outstanding games against tough opponents. Bryce Drew, the team's high scorer and son of the team's coach, Homer Drew, is a local hero, having played for the Valparaiso High School Vikings and named Mr. Basketball.

Valparaiso Community Events

2000, September 9
Popcorn Festival
This annual event is held every September - see the webpage to find current information for dates and activities for the festival.
The first festival was held in 1979! The first parade also got into the "Guinness Book of World Records", courtesy of a 12-foot diameter popcorn ball created by the Valparaiso Jaycees.
Email: popcorn@netnitco.net