Portage Township is one of twelve townships in Porter County, Indiana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 47,085. Portage Township was established in 1835.

The residents of Portage Township played pivotal roles in the conservation of the Indiana Dunes.Smith, S. & Mark, S. (2009). "The Historical Roots of the Nature Conservancy in the Northwest Indiana/Chicagoland Region: From Science to Preservation." The South Shore Journal, 3. Smith, S. & Mark, S. (2006). "Alice Gray, Dorothy Buell, and Naomi Svihla: Preservationists of Ogden Dunes." The South Shore Journal, Smith, S. & Mark, S. (2007). "The cultural impact of a museum in a small community: The Hour Glass of Ogden Dunes." The South Shore Journal, 2.

History Portage Township was organized in 1836, and most likely was named after Portage County, Ohio.

The Nike Missile Site C47 and Josephus Wolf House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Cities and towns The largest community in the township is the city of Portage. The bedroom community of the town of Ogden Dunes is also in this township as well as South Haven.Porter County, Indiana Sesquicentennial, 150, 1836-1986.

Geography City Portage (vast majority)

Town Ogden Dunes

Other Communities South Haven Willow Creek at Wilson at

Parks The city of Portage has an extensive park system. Also within the township is Indiana Dunes National Park's primary beach of West Beach and a facility called Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk.

Education

Portage Township is home to Portage Township Schools.

Higher education:

Purdue University North Central (classes offered at Portage High School) Indiana University Northwest Ivy Tech (classes offered at Willowcreek Middle School; full-service campus to be built in 2008)

High school:

Portage High School

Middle schools: Willowcreek Middle School Fegely Middle School

Elementary schools:

Aylesworth Central Crisman Jones Kyle Myers Saylor South Haven

The corporation is reviewing the results of a population growth study to determine future facility needs. Current options include: 1) Constructing a ninth elementary school; 2) Constructing a third middle school; or 3) Constructing an intermediate (5th-6th grade) school. For the 2007–2008 school year the Portage Township Schools student enrollment was 8,541.

References

External links Official website Indiana Township Association United Township Association of Indiana