Lafayette, IN

Lafayette is a city of about 63,000 people, located on the eastern banks of the Wabash River. It has been recognized by Money magazine and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce as a top city in which to live. The area has a diverse economy, a high standard of living, and low property taxes, which makes it an attractive prospect for both personal and business relocation. Across the Wabash River is West Lafayette, home of Purdue University. Together, the two cities make up a metro area that offers a wide variety of community amenities, services, and job and entertainment options.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and high-tech are three job sectors that have been growing in Lafayette. About a third of the workforce is employed in more than 100 manufacturing and industrial firms. Many businesses in the high-tech sector have been launched based on research findings developed at Purdue University, which boasts more computer graduates than any other university in America. The largest employer in the Lafayette area is Purdue University, with more than 13,000 employees.

Lafayette is home to many national and international companies, including:

• Caterpillar
• Wabash National (maker of commercial semi trailers)
• Fairfield Manufacturing (maker of custom gear shafts and drives)
• Subaru of Indiana Automotive

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Lafayette boasts a variety of neighborhoods that include older buildings with a sense of history and a range of architectural styles. Several districts have earned historic designations. Residents take their neighborhoods seriously. They actively participate in their communities organizing around the neighborhood designations for local beautification efforts and other civic projects. These are just a few of the areas:

• Historic Centennial Neighborhood takes its name from the Centennial School that was built in the area to celebrate the U.S. Centennial. It remained in the neighborhood until torn down in 1971. This area is just north of downtown and includes more than 200 buildings built between 1844 and 1982. The majority of these structures were built between 1870 and 1910. Of architectural significance, many homes are Italianate in style and the district includes several Gothic Revival and Romanesque Revival churches. Once home to wealthy merchants and professionals, today Centennial is a relatively small neighborhood of stately homes and local businesses.
• Valley Center is located near the geographic center of Lafayette and includes an area of social, economic and geographic diverse. It prides itself on a culture of activism.
• Upper Main Street Historic District is representative of the period in which Lafayette's local streetcar system was developed. It is roughly bounded by Ferry Street, Columbia Street, 6th Street and the Norfolk and Western Railroad tracks.
• Columbian Park: This lively residential area has many bungalows and kit homes and is home to Columbian Park and Columbian Park Zoo. It's an older established neighborhood with many retirees, couples, young families and singles.
• Ninth Street Hill is a residential neighborhood that was developed during the era of railroad expansion, beginning in the 1850s. The area fell into decline during the 1950s and 1960s, as owners moved to the suburbs and Ninth Street homes were made into rentals with multiple apartments. However, the area made a comeback in the 1970s with preservation efforts and today is a restored and family-friendly neighborhood.
• Vinton is a quiet, family-oriented neighborhood with an elementary school, two parks, and a community swimming pool. The neighborhood has a strong base of homeowners, and the housing stock reflects a significant number of home improvement projects and upgrades
• Historic Jefferson was one of the first neighborhoods annexed by Lafayette during the 1830s. It is a working class neighborhood, and was once home to many German immigrants who came to Jefferson for employment opportunities on the railroad, river and canal. Jefferson features a variety of architectural styles, as well as the brick-paved North Street, which runs east to west.

FOR VISITORS

Lafayette has a thriving educational and cultural scene, including several museums:

• Tippecanoe County Historical Association Museums: The Tippecanoe County Historical Museum traces area events through artifacts and displays, while the Tippecanoe Battlefield Historical Museum is devoted to the 1811 Battle of Tippecanoe.
• Imagination Station: This children's museum explores various science topics (including dinosaurs and astronauts) in a hands-on format.
• Five Points Fire Station Museum: Housed in a 1937 fire station, this museum re-creates the life of a typical firefighter in the 1930s. Interactive exhibits allow people to try on firefighting gear.
• Red Crown Mini-Museum: This former service station was created with local materials. It is a "walk-by" museum, meaning that all displays are featured in the windows, although the interior is opened for some special events.

FAMILY FUN

Lafayette is home to more than 40 public parks and plenty of outdoor recreational opportunities.

• Historic Prophetstown: Located within Prophetstown State Park, this living history farm depicts life as it was on a farm in the 1920s.
• Clegg Botanical Gardens: Running alongside Wildcat Creek, this nature center boasts large wildflower areas and plenty of restored oak savanna. Trails and bridges allow for easy exploration.
• Columbian Park Zoo: Indiana's second-oldest zoo boasts 49 different animal species, along with play areas, a train, paved trails, and interactive outdoor art.
• Tropicanoe Cove Family Aquatic Center: Family fun is the order of the summer at this outdoor water park, with slides, a lazy river, toddler pools, and rides.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

A thriving center for the performance arts, Lafayette has several locations and organizations devoted to musical performances, theater and dance:

• Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette: A restored railroad depot is home to this performing arts center, which hosts musical theater, dramas, comedies, and youth theater classes.
• Long Center for the Performing Arts: This restored 1920s vaudeville venue is home to a variety of performances and special events.
• Bach Chorale Singers: Concerts are offered at Long Center.
• Lafayette Ballet Company: Classical ballets are performed at Long Center.
• Lafayette Citizens Band: A free summer concert series is the highlight of this musical group.
• Lafayette Symphony Orchestra: Several symphony performances are staged during the year at Long Center.

Lafayette is also home to the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette. In addition to permanent and rotating art exhibits, the museum offers exhibitions of local artists and studio arts classes.

EVENTS

Lafayette celebrates its heritage and local accomplishments throughout the year.

• YWCA Strawberry Festival: For more than 20 years, the YWCA has hosted its annual Strawberry Festival each June. The event supports the group's efforts to end domestic violence and improve the quality of women's lives.
• Taste of Tippecanoe: Its motto "The Best Eats, the Best Beats" sums up this annual culinary and musical celebration, which takes place in June, in a variety of Lafayette locations.
• Indiana Fiddlers' Gathering: A three-day June musical extravaganza, this event features local and nationally known acts on one stage.
• Feast of the Hunter's Moon: This re-creation of the annual gathering in the mid-1700s of the French and Native Americans at Fort Ouiatenon, a fur-trading outpost, has been celebrated in September for more than 40 years. The event takes place at Fort Ouiatenon Historic Park near West Lafayette.
• LayFlats Arts and Music Festival: An outdoor music and arts festival, this event occurs in September at the Tippecanoe Outdoor Amphitheatre in West Lafayette.