This City in Indiana Was One of the Most Dangerous Places in the Nation in the 1990s

Although 1990s fashions may have come back in style in recent years, not everything from that decade has made a triumphant return. That's fortunate for residents of the Hoosier State because, in the 1990s, Indiana was home to one of the most dangerous places in the United States. From 1994 to 1995, the Gary, Indiana, crime history ranked the city as the most dangerous in the United States.

Why is Gary, Indiana, so dangerous? Gary became notorious in the mid-1990s as an incredibly dangerous city. In fact, by 1994, it was known as the murder capital of the world thanks to the very high Gary, Indiana crime rates. In the 1950s, Gary was a bustling city that over 200,000 Hoosiers called home.

How Gary Became a Steel Industry Powerhouse

What is — or was — Gary, Indiana, known for? The city was quite prevalent in the steel industry beginning in the early 1900s, due in part to its location on the shore of Lake Michigan. Gary Works of U.S. Steel was the main steel mill in the city and was instrumental in producing steel for the Midwest's growing industrial economy. Gary, in turn, grew rapidly as a city; over the next few decades, however, as the country's manufacturing industry declined, Gary, Indiana's population and popularity also began to decline.

What Happened to Gary's Economy?

The decline of the steel industry caused Gary's once-thriving businesses to close one by one, leaving a wake of abandoned churches, storefronts, auditoriums, and train stations. Sadly, Gary's urban decay continued. Many residents in the area fell well below the poverty line, causing Gary, Indiana, crime to rise exponentially.

In 1995, Gary had a population of 115,269 and over 3,000 reported crimes. That year, there were 129 murders, bringing Gary to the top of the list of violent cities in the US. The high number of murders per capita made Gary a place no one wanted to be. While Gary has improved considerably since the 1990s, it's still considered a dangerous city, and it is nowhere near the bustling success it once was.

The Fascinating Abandoned Landmarks of Gary

With so many abandoned buildings in Gary, Indiana, the city is a photographic playground of sorts for urban explorers, who thrive on exploring abandoned relics of a city. Among the best-known and fascinating abandoned buildings are the iconic City Methodist Church built in 1926, the 1910 Gary Union Station, and the Palace Theatre, which first opened in 1925 and was a hub for theater goers to enjoy vaudeville acts and plays. These landmarks remain as crumbling reminders of what Gary, Indiana once was — a thriving city with an economy built on the steel industry.

Did you know Gary was one of the most dangerous places in the country? It does get a pretty bad rap these days, but now, at least, we understand why. Besides, did you know that there are more than 13,000 abandoned Indiana structures in the town of Gary alone? Discover more relics of the past by taking a road trip to Indiana's most abandoned places.

There are several other dangerous places in Indiana, so try to stay safe out there, Hoosiers! If you're traveling to an area with a high crime rate, it's a good idea to stay aware of your surroundings, always keep your phone charged, and carry a power bank with you just in case.