Community Spotlight: Granger Indiana

You’ll find Granger, Indiana, a small city with a big heart at the northmost end of Indiana. Right on the border of Michigan, it’s a short drive across the state line or to South Bend, a suburb. Like all of the areas in this part of the state, the Beavers stay busy with landscaping and snow removal this time of year.

What’s In a Name?

The fraternal organization, The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, was Founded in 1883 and is devoted to farming practices. Today, the town might be better known than the organization for which it was named. 

Founded in 1867 by Oliver Kelly, it is the oldest agricultural lobbying group in the country. Kelly had been commissioned by President Andrew Johnson’s Secretary of Agricultural to visit the southern states after the civil war to improve farming conditions there. But, as a Northerner, he was not trusted by most of the farmers until fellow freemasons gave him an introduction. 

The thawing of his chilly reception, combined with the regressive agriculture practices he discovered and the poor state of the land in the South, convinced Kelly of the need for the Grange. Though you may be unfamiliar with the organization, you have likely been affected by the policies they advocated. 

If not for the Grange, rural free delivery (RFD) would not be the law of the land. People in rural areas used to have to travel to distant post offices to retrieve their mail. What would they have named the Andy Griffith show’s Mayberry spinoff without the hard work of the Grange?

Demographics

Granger is primarily rural and considered one of Indiana’s best places to live. Income is relatively high, the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation that serves it is rated highly, and most residents own, rather than rent, their homes. 

Weather

Though our winters are mild compared to some states north of us, our seasons follow the typical Indiana pattern of all four seasons. 

As a result, you can use various annuals and perennials in landscaping here. Many plants, including grasses, are dormant this time of year, and we Busy Little Beavers are focusing on winter tasks like irrigation winterization and snow and ice management. 

Once spring comes around, planting, and caring for grass by mowing, aeration, and overseeding are at the forefront of homeowners’ minds.

Things to Do In and Around Granger

Granger also has something to do that you can’t find anywhere else. There are plenty of fun food and entertainment experiences like Axe Throwing at the Lucky Hatchet or MiniGolf at Ninja Golf. Or check out Endeavor Escape Room and RC Fun Park. 

New York Central Railroad Museum

We’d forgive you if you expected to find the New York Central Railroad Museum in New York. But nearby Elkhart is also a natural spot to house this museum dedicated to the history and progress through the story of the New York Central Railroad system, once the second largest railroad in the United States. 

Elkhart was the home of NY Central’s Robert R. Young Yard (QHi is now Norfolk Southern Railway’s Elkhart Yard), the second-largest railroad freight classification yard east of the Mississippi River. 

Parks

Granger is home to many unique and enjoyable parks and recreation experiences. You’ll find hiking trails and league sports such as basketball and volleyball. There are also learning opportunities, such as Financial Peace University. 

Most parks are great places to spend the day with family and friends, but nearby Mishawaka will terrify you. Every year in the weeks surrounding Halloween, Legend Park transforms into the haunted attraction, Fear Itself, widely rated one of the best haunted houses in the country. 

WAKARUSA DIME STORE 

The Wakarusa Dime store is a truly inspiring and sweet piece of Americana. But only go if you’re trying to cut back on sugar! World Famous for its Jumbo Jelly Beans (which they sell 75 tons of worldwide annually), the Wakarusa Dime Store was founded by Mose Wolfberg in 1907 as WOLFBERG’S DEPARTMENT STORE in Wakarusa.

Since then, it grew, changed names, added a second store, and narrowed its focus to sweets. The current owners focus on curating and serving high-quality and nostalgic candy. 

Conclusion

While Granger is a great place to live a peaceful life and raise a family, there’s plenty of excitement and fun to be found here as well. Busy Little Beavers enjoys serving the residents and businesses here for their landscaping needs.