Malden, IN

Malden is a quiet rural pocket in southern Porter County, sitting in Morgan Township just a short drive south of Valparaiso. If you are cruising down State Road 49, you might easily miss it among the surrounding farm fields. The community centers on a small cluster of homes, an old schoolhouse, New Hope Missionary Church, and the local grain elevator. Right across the way, the Malden Oasis gives neighbors an easygoing spot to grab a bite, catch up, and unwind.

ATTRChris Light / CC BY-SA 4.0

The biggest day of the year is the annual Labor Day parade, which brings out big crowds from all over the county to fill the main road for a morning of celebration. Throughout the rest of the year, Malden stays peaceful and quiet, revolving around the rhythms of the farming seasons. You get wide open skies and plenty of elbow room at home, while still being close enough to hop on Highway 49 and reach downtown Valparaiso in about ten to fifteen minutes.