Town History

The first settler to Hebron was Judge Jesse Johnson (1st Judge of the Porter County Probate Court. The area of Hebron was an open prairie interspersed with small groves of trees. The prairie was about 2.5 miles (4.0 km) long by 0.75 miles (1.21 km) wide.^[9] About 0.5 miles (0.80 km) south was the Potawatomi village of Hauakiki.^[10] Locally the village was called “Indian Town.”

The area chosen for settlement was referred to as “The Corners” as this was where two roads crossed. Hebron was laid out in 1841.^[11] The first homes were of log construction. In 1849, Mr. McCune built the “Tavern” as the first frame structure. The tavern continued in use as a tavern until 1936. In 1838, a Rev. Hannan organized the Bethlehem Church of Associate Reform Presbyterians. Later the church changed its name from “Bethlehem” to “Hebron.” In 1845, Rev. Blain of the Hebron Church of Associate Reform Presbyterians petitioned for a post office named after his church. The post office was established that year and the town got its name.^[9]

In 1849, 1852, 1855, and 1864 lots were laid out to the west and south of the “The Corners.” It took the construction of the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad in 1863 to open the town to growth. Completed just to support the Union effort during the American Civil War, the railroad spurred growth after the war ended. Hebron became a gateway to the rich hunting grounds of the Grand Kankakee Marsh.^[9]