A deep dive into the history of Sunset Hill

Sunset Hill has a long-standing and iconic history dating back over 100 years. It was first established by local businessman Robert Heffron Murray in 1881.

A young entrepreneur, Murray originally started the farm as a way to acquire and improve local land. Soon, the farm began raising animals, including chickens, cows, and more. It also harvested diverse crops. Eggs and milk were regular products that were sold to the community.

“Murray was very much a businessman who was focused on science and measurement,” Porter County Parks Superintendent Jake McEvoy said. “He even ran experiments on the milk for optimal freshness and quality. A true trailblazer for his time.”

Murray was also known for how well he treated his employees. He housed them and offered free rent. When his wife passed away, Murray sat with his employees, detailing that he wanted to sit with family.

In his will, Murray asked for the farm to be given to Purdue University, a pioneer in agriculture and science. Years ago, Purdue gave the farm to Porter County Parks, which was a second wish of Murray in his will.

“Upon acquiring the farm, Porter County established the Porter County Parks Board to manage the integration of the farm to the parks,” said Serena Ard, a local historian and librarian.

Today, the farm is fully enjoyed by the local community as part of the parks. It provides an opportunity to learn and grow.

“Since Sunset Hill Farm became a county park, it has been the site of numerous seasonal and annual events like Christmas and Halloween events, concerts, the Northern Indiana Historical Power Association’s Antique Farm Equipment Show and Festival every fall, summer camps, trails for hiking, and so much more,” Ard said. “Sunset Hill Farm is a quintessential Porter County spot. It has sandy soil, tillable soil, hills, and flat spaces. It’s in the middle of the county and combines dunes elements with agricultural elements located at the intersection of two highly traveled roads, all representative of Porter County’s history and geography.”

After acquiring the land that previously held the farm, the Porter County Parks Board invested in multiple enhancements and offerings for the community to enjoy.

“For the new developments that we have had at Sunset Hill over the past couple of years, we have built two new playgrounds. One of which is a tractor-themed playground to enhance our animal exhibit,” McEvoy said. “We have built two new picnic shelters, one by the Horton Education Center and one by the animal exhibit. Just last year, we were able to complete the construction and opening of our new Colonel Murray Amphitheater. That included creating an ADA paved pathway leading to it and a new restroom.”

The Board has plans for further development in ways that can elevate the program experience.

“Developments that are currently in the works include a combined themed playground structure that will be added to the animal exhibit area to help further enhance that program,” McEvoy said. “We also added three new campsites and opened two group cabins last year, with five more campsites being created and set to open this year.”

There are even plans to continue to bolster Sunset Hill Farm’s programming.

“Over the last couple of years, we have had significant program growth, including our new Summer Nights at Sunset concert series. We’ve added even more Sunset Hill Biergartens and expanded our CampfunSet program to allow more kids than ever into our summer camp program,” McEvoy said.

However, even with ongoing development, the history of the land and Murray’s legacy will always be preserved.

“Sunset Hill Farm County Park has a significant and rich agricultural history,” McEvoy said. “It is part of the legacy that is Porter County. As we continue to expand our offerings and services to the community, one thing that is always present in everything we do is legacy and history.”

As the park continues to cultivate the farm, it will serve as a great place for families to gather with their children. It is certainly an iconic asset to Porter County.

Find out more here: portercountyparks.org/sunset-hill