Cedar Creek

History and community pride thrive in Cedar Creek Township, from its Red Devils football pride to its long holiday traditions. Cedar Creek is made up of three areas, including Lake Dalecarlia, Shelby, and Lowell. “It’s growing. I’ve been here all my life. It’s not that small anymore,” says Clerk-Treasurer for the Town of Lowell Judith Walters. “But you still have the neighborly feeling.”

Homes in Cedar Creek can suit the needs of any experienced homebuyer, from its newer properties in the Lowell area to the charming early to mid-century homes in Lake Dalecarlia. Prices in Cedar Creek are reasonable compared to other townships, ranging from $250 to $500 thousand. The newer constructions are mostly colonial-inspired two-stories or ranches within subdivisions on the east side of Lowell. Towards Lake Dalecarlia and Shelby, there are primarily historic four-square homes and suburban ranches that are more scattered. Prices are similar; however, some homes can peak at over $1 million.

Each town carries its unique neighborhood parks. Freedom Park is the largest park in Lowell. Locals can bring their four-legged friends to the dog park. Kids can let loose on the playground and sports fields. Lowell is in the process of revamping Liberty Park so it can connect to Freedom Park. “It’s called Liberty Park now, but soon it’ll be Nassau Park,” Walters says. “It’ll include an amphitheater, splash pad and a walking trail that connects from that park to Freedom Park.” This is set to be completed by 2026. Residents in Lake Dalecarlia have the lake right at their doors. Spend the day with the family boating or water skiing. Kids can also enjoy the two playground areas with beach access. Shelby Community Park is a smaller neighborhood park south that includes mounds of green space and a playground.

Students can attend school within the Tri-Creek School Corporation, which holds a B-plus on Niche. Oak Hills Elementary School has an A-minus grade on Niche. Lowell Middle School teaches grades six through eight. The A-minus Niche-rated school offers nine after-school extracurriculars and 12 sports teams for student participation. Lowell Senior High School holds a B-minus Niche grade. Students here can enroll in courses exploring 14 career options. Additionally, the district is undergoing several improvements to all their schools with their $95 million projects to keep the school up to date with future curricular needs and maintain Red Devils community pride.

Each town will have its dining options, but overall, you’ll find a mixture of cuisines. On East Commercial Ave in Lowell, stop by Old Dog Coffee House for the early morning brew. After work, head out for drinks while playing classic arcade games at Bennett’s Pub and Play. Around Lake Dalecarlia, locals dine at the Lake Dale Ale, where you’ll get traditional pub dishes of sandwiches, pizza and wings. Shelby locals find their grub at Findley’s Shelby Inn. Groceries can be picked up at the nearby Aldi or Strack and Van Til, both on Commercial Ave.

A significant event in Cedar Creek is the Lowell Labor Day Festival. This three-day event includes craft and food vendors, inflatables, live music, a beer garden, and the Labor Day parade. “The Labor Day Parade is the longest-running Labor Day parade in Indiana,” Walters says. “It’s something that we kept the tradition going for 175 years. We can have anything from 75 to 125 entries and have 10,000 people attend.” Buckley Homestead County Park is a historic farm in the township's center. The park has live animals, an old schoolhouse, and multiple historical sites. Locals can also take a walk within the mile-long walking and equestrian trails.

“We’re in the location where we are close to I-65,” Walters says. “We’re close enough to Chicago. You could go to the city for a day, and it’s only an hour to an hour and a half away.” Interstate 65 is 7 miles to the township's east. It runs from north to south and goes from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. Gary/Chicago International Airport sits 40 miles north and provides flights for several destinations domestically.

Written By

Courtney Murphy

Photography Contributed By

Nadia George

Video By

Edward Pokoj