New & Custom Home Builders in Winfield, IN

The Hanover School corporation operates two elementary schools: Jane Ball and Lincoln, one middle school: Hanover Central Middle School, and one high school: Hanover Central High School.

A small town located in Winfield Township, Winfield has an estimated population of 6,000 people. Established in 1993, Winfield holds small-town charm with easy access to schools and larger cities. Use this guide to learn more about why you should consider Winfield for your next residence.

History of Winfield

Image via Flickr by kevin dooley

Both Winfield and Winfield Township are named after General Winfield Scott who served as a general in the U.S. Army and served as the Whig Party’s nomination in the 1852 presidential election. Winfield Township was founded in 1843 and served as a rural oasis from the industrialization in the northern part of Lake County.

In early 1993, nearby Merrillville sought to annex part of the rural area found in Winfield Township. Residents in this part of Waterford Township feared that Merrillville would commercialize the rural area, so they fought the annexation. Members of the township board decided the only way to prevent the annexation was to form its own town.

After obtaining permission from the county commissioners, residents gathered the 100 signatures needed to file a petition for incorporation. It took several months for all the paperwork to be completed, and even after Merrillville sued, the ordeal ended with final approval of the town’s creation.

Winfield School District

Schools in Winfield are part of the Crown Point Community School Corporation, with all schools based out of Crown Point. Elementary students attend two different schools depending on their age. Kindergartners through second graders attend Winfield Elementary School on Montgomery Street. Third through fifth graders attend Jerry Ross Elementary School on Randolph Street.

Middle schoolers either attend Colonel John Wheeler Middle School on West Joliet Street or Robert A. Taft Middle School on South Main Street. All high schoolers attend Crown Point High School, which is also on South Main Street.

There are several private schools in nearby Crown Point as well. St. Mary Catholic Community School on East Joliet Street, Trinity Lutheran School on South Indiana Avenue, and Avicenna Academy on Colorado Street all offer classes for preschoolers through eighth grade. Pathway Christian School, located on South Indiana Avenue, provides education for kindergartners through seniors in high school.

What to Do Around Winfield

If you’re looking for some fun activities and outings, Winfield has several places worth checking out.

Dining

In Winfield, stop in at El Jimador Mexican Cuisine for some authentic Mexican fare. With generous portion sizes and a variety of options, you won’t leave this restaurant hungry. Its menu features several dozen items, and some of the more popular ones include the steak ranchero, chimichanga dinner, and flautas. You can pair your meal with one of its specialty margaritas or a beer from its large list of options.

Head over to nearby Crown Point for some fine dining and cocktails at Fahrenheit Two Twelve. Check out its extensive list of daily specials, including build-your-own pasta, juicy burgers, full slabs of ribs, and slow-roasted prime rib. There are also daily drink specials.

In Merrillville, visit the family-style Spice Thai Cuisine to try one of its many home-cooked meals. Start your meal with crab Rangoon along with hot and sour soup. If you want something vegetarian, order the massaman curry vegetarian, which comes with mixed vegetables and tofu.

Recreation

Winfield has a handful of parks, with more than half located in various subdivisions. These subdivision playgrounds are geared toward children ages 2 through 5.

One park not found in subdivisions is the John B. Curley Memorial Park, which sits next to the Winfield Government Center. At this park, the little ones can burn off some energy on the playground and then head to the pavilion with benches and picnic tables to enjoy some lunch. Another option is the 9-acre Randolph Community Park with a walking path, pond, playground, zipline, and a newly installed Little Free Library.

Attractions

The largest water park in Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana and the second largest publicly owned water park in the country, Deep River Water Park is a seasonal outdoor water park that operates from Memorial Day through Labor Day. It features more than a dozen attractions, including an 800-foot lazy river, a half-million-gallon wave pool, a children’s play area, and numerous water slides.

Located in Merrillville, Turkey Creek Golf Course is an 18-hole public golf course that has tree-lined fairways and slightly sloping greens. Recently renovated, the course’s highlight is Turkey Creek, which meanders through the course and comes into play on 12 out of the 18 holes. Before you hit the course, get a few practice putts in on the putting green.

Head over to St. John and check out Zig-E’s Funland. This 3-acre site has something for both children and adults. Challenge your family to a go-kart race, hit a few baseballs in the batting cages, and play a couple of the 40-plus arcade games. Don’t forget to play a round of mini-golf.

Commute Times

If you work in a larger city and are interested in setting up your residence in Winfield, it’s important to know the commute times. Here are some of the travel times you might expect if you work in any of these nearby cities:

• Chicago: Winfield is about 50 miles southeast of downtown Chicago. It will take you at least an hour to get to and from the city, although if you factor in rush hour, those numbers increase.
• Hammond: Winfield sits about 25 miles southeast of Hammond. Expect to spend about 30 minutes traveling to this Indiana city.
• Indianapolis: Winfield is quite a ways from the state’s capital. It lies about 140 miles northwest of Indianapolis, and it takes a little more than two hours to make this trip.
• Valparaiso: Winfield is only about 10 miles southwest from Valparaiso. It should only take you about 20-30 minutes to make this drive.

If you’re interested in joining the Winfield community, consider purchasing a home from Steiner Homes. As the building authority for Northwest Indiana, we know how important it is to have a low cost of living and amenities attractive to young families. Contact us today to get started on making Winfield your home.