THE JACKSON FAMILY HISTORY BEGAN IN GARY, INCLUDING JANET JACKSON!
By the Visit Miller Beach Staff
GARY, Indiana - Before the moonwalk, the music videos, and the sold-out stadiums, there was a small house on Jackson Street in Gary, Indiana. Visiting the Jackson’s hometown brings their early story into focus. Their family home , High School, and 3 iconic murals connect visitors and celebrate the musical legacy that grew from their beginnings.
This self-guided driving route takes you to: Jackson family’s neighborhood to downtown Gary and then east to Gary’s Miller Beach community.
Jackson family home → Roosevelt High School → Janet Jackson mural → downtown Jackson 5 mural → Lake Street The Jacksons mural.
Allow a leisurely half-day for photographs, driving, and a meal.
Stop 1: Jackson Family Home - Michael Jackson’s First Home
2300 Jackson Street, Gary
The Jackson house at 2300 Jackson Street, Gary is visited by people all over the world who want to pay tribute to Michael Jackson, The Jackson Five, and Janet Jackson.
This modest house was Michael Jackson’s childhood home and the starting point for the entire Jackson family’s musical journey. Following Michael’s death in 2009, fans gathered here with flowers, photographs, and memories. Indianapolis Recorder
The home’s small scale makes this stop especially memorable. Imagine the voices, instruments, rehearsals, and everyday family activity that once filled its rooms. Standing nearby gives the story of the Jacksons’ beginnings a physical setting.
The Jackson family visits the home but it’s not accessible to the public.. Take photos from the sidewalk and keep neighboring driveways clear.
A souvenir stand across the street sells keepsakes. This is a residential neighborhood as well as a place of musical significance.
Stop 2: Roosevelt High School
730 West 25th Avenue, Gary
Left: Aerial view, Roosevelt High School. Middle: Historical Plaque. Right: flyer for annual City of Gary Jackson Street Block Party celebrating the Jackson family.
Historic Roosevelt High School was attended by Jackie and Jermaine. Roosevelt backs up to the Jackson home,. Although Michael did not attend Roosevelt, he gave a concert there to the students in 2003. Michael Jackson World Network Drive to the front to see the historic facade and plaque.
Built in 1930, Roosevelt High School also holds an important place in Gary’s African American history. It was one of only three Indiana high schools built specifically for Black students during segregation and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Generations of students made it a center of educational achievement and community pride. Indiana Landmarks.
Preservation advocates have been working to secure a future for the school - it closed in 2019. In 2024, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Roosevelt one of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. Make sure to visit the historic plaque posted in front of the building.
As you pause here, consider the generations of students—including members of the Jackson family—whose stories give this landmark its meaning.
Stop 3: Janet Jackson Mural
2468 Broadway, Gary, IN 46402
Janet Jackson mural at 22468 Broadway, Gary depicts Janet Jackson as a young girl during her role as Penny from the late 1970s television sitcom Good Times. Painted by Chicago-based artist Max Sansing. Photo Credit: Erika Blackwell
Head to Broadway for a mural celebrating Janet Jackson, the youngest child in the family. Janet starred in the television show Good Times as depicted on this mural. She also starred in, Diff’rent Strokes, and Fame, as outlined by influencer Misha.
Janet performed with her brothers, then built an independent career as an international music superstar. She inspired young women globally and created her own following.. Michael and Janet recorded “Scream” together which became the first single in the 37-year history of Billboard to debut in the top five on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number five.
With albums Control and Rhythm Nation 1814, Janet paired infectious rhythms with messages of independence and social change. Her precise choreography, groundbreaking videos, and distinctive sound influenced generations of performers, earning her a place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2019. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Stop for a photograph and celebrate another member of the Jackson family whose influence reached far beyond Gary. Janet Jackson is still touring internationally in 2026.
Stop 4: The Downtown Jackson 5 Mural
839 Broadway, Gary, IN 46402
Jackson 5 Mural depicts the joy and optimism that the Jacksons gave us through their music. Photo Credit: Erika Blackwell
From the Janet Mural, , head north toward downtown Gary and proceed north on Broadway to the Jackson 5 mural. Commissioned by City of Gary to honor the original Jackson 5, it replaced an identical mural destroyed in a building demolition. Created by local artist Felix “Flex” Maldonado, this work depicts from left to right: Tito, Marlon, Jermaine,, Michael, and Jackie. (Michael is the youngest one looking straight ahead).
Use current directions to 804 Broadway. Older articles and photographs may refer to a prior location..
While filming her 2022 Lifetime documentary Janet Jackson, Janet came across this mural and posted her reaction to share her joy and love.
Take a wide photograph to capture the artwork within its surroundings, then spend a few minutes looking at the individual portraits. This stop brings Michael’s brothers back into the picture: his musical beginnings were part of a family effort.
Stop 5: The Lake Street “The Jacksons” Mural
610 South Lake Street, Gary’s Miller Beach Neighborhood
The Jacksons mural. Featured in the trailer for the ‘Michael” movie. Photo Credit: Erika Blackwell
Post your photos on Google maps or Apple Maps to show you’ve been there!
The last stop is in the Miller Beach neighborhood. The Jacksons tribute is on the north wall of the former Vogue Cleaners & Shirt Laundry.
Jackie, Tito, Marlon, Randy and Michael performed as the The Jacksons in 1976 after leaving Motown Records and signing with Epic/CBS Records. This era was depicted in the “Michael” movie - Jafaar Jackson visiting the mural was in the “Michael” movie trailer! This is a fitting final stop, as Gary continues to celebrate the Jackson through public art. At its dedication, city officials described the mural as part of Gary’s musical heritage.
Local philanthropists Karren and Pat Lee and Tom and Sylvia Collins generously donated the funds to create this mural in 2025.
Leave time after taking this mural tour for a meal and a little exploring along Lake Street and its shops and restaurants. You’ll be 2 blocks south of the Indiana Dunes National Park Douglas Nature Center and just a 2 minute drive to Lake Street Beach.
First photo: Jaafar Jackson in front of The Jacksons Mural on Lake Street. Middle: Philanthropist Karren and Pat Lee, Mayor Melton and Crystal Melton, artist Felix Maldonado and city officials dedicate the mural. Right: Jackie Jackson, Matthew Blackwell of Tiny’s Restaurant & Bar, and Marlon Jackson in front of Tiny’s during their visit to the The Jackson mural on Lake Street.
Before You Go
Save the route’s addresses before leaving, and plan your visit during daylight for photos and dress for the weather.
Give yourself a few unhurried minutes at each location. The home and school help you picture a young performer’s daily surroundings. The murals show how his hometown remembers the family today. Together, they connect a world-famous musical story with the Gary streets where it began.
Author Bio: Miller Beach Tourism Bureau leads a grassroots project to bring information about Miller Beach. It’s staffed by local small businesses to draw visitors to Gary’s local businesses while highlighting the natural beauty in Gary including the Indiana Dunes National Park and Marquette Park.
The Visit Miller Beach Blog is made possible by a Legacy Foundation, Press Forward Grant.
