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Town Of Hebron

106 East Sigler
219-996-4641

History:

The History of Hebron is intertwined with that of Boone Township. For this reason, both will be mentioned here. The land in Boone Township was opened for settlement by virtue of a treaty between the United Sates Government and the Pottawattomi Indians in 1832. In the early spring of 1835, Judge Jessie Johnson, first judge of Porter County's Probate Court, with his family became the first white settlers in Boone Township. He was closely followed by the Isaac Cornell Family who settled on land just east of Hebron. The Semian Bryant family followed, settling on land one and one half miles south of Hebron.

The first white native of Boone Township was born on April 16, 1837. She was Margaret J. Bryant, daughter of Semian Bryant. The fist school house was built of logs in 1837. During this time, several worship groups were started. One of those groups was responsible for Hebron's name. The Bethlehem Church of Associated Reform Presbyterian was organized on July 28, 1838 by Reverend Hanna. The members of that congregation later changed their name from Bethlehem to Hebron.

The first frame building was built in 1849, by Mr. McCune. It was originally used as a way station along the stagecoach route between Detroit and St. Louis. After the coming of the railroad in 1836, the Inn continued to serve as a resting place for travelers, as well as for sportsmen who came to hunt and fish along the Kankakee River. Today, the Stagecoach Inn is still in the original location at 127 North Main, and serves as a historical museum.

In 1890 we had one town Marshall. He also supervised road work and the lighting and caring for the gas street lights each evening. Today we have one chief, eight full-time officers and fifteen special officers. Their duties are to protect, serve and enforce the laws.