Elkhart, Indiana: The City With a Heart

Indiana, the Hoosier state, is a pleasant place to live for humans and beavers alike. (We’re protected here, after all). And if you’re looking for city benefits with small-town charm, we have a suggestion for you in Elkhart.

Elkhart, Indiana: the city with a heart is located 15 miles from South Bend and 150 miles North of Chicago. While smaller in population than either of those two cities, Elkhart has many of the same benefits as the larger cities while still holding on to the charm and community of a smaller town.

In Elkhart, the city with a heart slogan is taken seriously, and you’ll find a city government that prides itself on serving its citizens and citizens who are happy to volunteer a helping hand to each other or for a favorite cause like Elkhart Jazz Festival. At Beaver Bins, we’re proud to serve the citizens of Elkhart, Indiana.

History

Originally home to Ottawa, Chippewa, and Potawatomi Indian tribes, Elkhart was later settled in the early 1800s by New Englanders descended from the original Puritan pilgrims. Perhaps due to that lineage, most of the inhabitants were for Prohibition until the Civil War, in which many inhabitants fought for the Union.

The town grew after the completion of the Eerie canal, and rail service came to the city. By the early 1900s, it was a manufacturing hub.

Though much of the history of early Elkhart is known, the origin of its name is still in dispute. It appears of German origin, but some say it’s named after Island Park, which looks like an Elk’s heart (to someone at least), while others claim it was named after Shawnee Indian Chief Elkhart. Still, a third theory says it was named after another Illinois town whose name, when translated, means elk heart.

Elkhart Industries

Today, manufacturing continues, and Elkhart is known for two industries: musical instruments and recreational vehicles. So, in addition to being the city with a heart, Elkhart has two more nicknames: “The RV capital of the World” and “The Band Instrument Capital of the World!”

The first recreational vehicle manufacturer to locate in Elkhart did so in 1934, and this is often the case; as infrastructure built itself around it, other RV companies followed.

Musical instruments followed a similar trajectory, and by 1949, Elkhart got its RV superlative and a thriving economy.

Culture

You don’t need to drive to a larger city to enjoy some culture. Elkhart is known for its theater, art, and music scenes.

Music

Perhaps appropriately for the band instrument capital, there’s much to love for music lovers in Elkhart. The Goshen Theater and Learner Theatre host local and national acts from various genres. The Ignition Music Garage is a more intimate scene that hosts notable musicians looking to perform closer to their audience.

Every summer since 1988, Elkhart has hosted the Elkhart Jazz Festival. Run entirely by volunteers, the Elkhart Jazz Festival attracts jazz legends and an audience of over twenty thousand annually!

Art & Museums

Elkhart has several museums in and around the community, including the Elkhart County Historical Museum, where you can learn more about the city and its past, and the Midwest Museum of American Art, home to permanent and traveling exhibits as well as “Noon Time Talks” every Thursday afternoon.

Elkhart County Parks

Elkhart, Indiana, has a thriving outdoor culture with a park system that cares as much about education as recreation. Elkhart County Parks Department presents programs, rain or shine. Teachers may even request custom programs to meet their particular classroom needs!

Dining

Regarding dining, Elkhart has a little bit of everything: from cafes and bakeries to more substantial dining. Home to several breweries, wineries, and restaurants, you’ll surely find something tasty in Elkhart.

What’s your poison? Elkhart has proven itself to be friendly to wineries and breweries alike, and much like with musical instruments and RVs, an economy had built up around it. We promise not to tell the original teetotaler settlers if you won’t.

Golf

Golf is a popular pastime for Elkhart, Indiana, residents and visitors in warmer months. There are five nearby golf courses!

Beaver Bins In Elkhart, Indiana

As a company of fans and residents of Elkhart, Indiana, Beaver Bins wants to serve the community well and keep it beautiful through Beaver Bins and our sister landscaping company, Busy Lil Beavers. We’re proud to be able to deliver our dumpsters throughout Elkhart and the surrounding areas. In addition, we’re available for junk removal when a job is too big to do yourself!