Means Manor, a neighborhood of brick bungalows nestled around Gary Roosevelt High School, still retains much of its luster in a city that wages a daily battle with decay and neglect. Block after block of sturdy little homes and well-kept lawns represent the enduring legacy of trailblazing Gary contractor Andrew Means who became one of the most successful Black developers in the country at a time when segregation was a way of life. Today, a Means Manor resident is leading a campaign with Indiana Landmarks aimed at getting Means Manor on the National Register of Historic Places so his contributions won’t be forgotten.
New research from TCU has uncovered the crucial roles a Black married couple filled during the university's founding years. Neither were eligible to attend, but Charley and Kate Thorp kept the campus running in its early days. These contributions had been unacknowledged until now.