Welcome to Angola, Indiana!

It is my pleasure to greet you on behalf of the Angola Area Chamber of Commerce. We take pride in our organization and, as the name suggests, it is our desire to promote not only Angola, but Steuben County as a whole.

Our name describes what we are about–commerce, the economic backbone of our area and the source of jobs and livelihood for many. In addition, we are a "chamber" because we are a voluntary group of approximately 320 businesses and individuals working together to promote business in our community. Each person involved in the Angola Area Chamber of Commerce knows that together we can make a stronger impact on our community than if we act alone.

Dues from our members, educational seminars, and many other programs enable the chamber to operate a full-time office at 1205 North Wayne Street, Suite A, in Angola. We employ a full-time Executive Director and a full-time Administrative Assistant. The Chamber staff is dedicated to their task of improving the quality of life in the Angola area and are there for you to call upon when you need assistance.

Available at our office are maps of the city as well as information about housing, points of interest, local businesses, industrial directories, phone books, upcoming events, visitor guides, wage and salary surveys . . . to name just a few. The office hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and somebody is always available to assist you with your needs.

The Chamber is run by a 12-member board of directors which meets monthly to plan events and conduct the business of the chamber of commerce. Some of our many functions include Business After Hours, 10 Hour OSHA Workshops, Legislative Receptions, Golf Tournament, Secretary Appreciation Luncheon, and Annual Dinner. All of these events are designed to broaden the networking opportunities for our members. In the competitive world of business, each of us realizes the value of personal contact and the meeting and making of new friends, clients, and customers. In addition, the Angola Area Chamber of Commerce strives to provide and sponsor educational seminars which assist our businesses in improving their productivity and workforce.

The Chamber is also the sponsor of the local gift certificate program which was responsible for keeping over $65,000 local throughout the year. Benefits of shopping locally include: sales tax dollars being returned to our town, convenience, creation of new jobs, loyalty to businesses that donate to local causes and, of course, the hometown atmosphere.

It is my hope that this directory will provide you with information about our town, our county, and its many benefits. Included in the directory is a list of the businesses who support the Angola Area Chamber of Commerce. When you need a service or a source of supply for your business or home, contact one of the Chamber member firms listed inside. These are the businesses and organizations that care enough about the future of Angola and Steuben County to invest in the Angola Area Chamber of Commerce.

Because membership in the Angola Area Chamber of Commerce is evident of a firm’s sincere desire to satisfactorily and professionally serve its customers, only Chamber members are included in this directory.

I would like to personally thank our members for being part of the Chamber of Commerce. Without their participation, none of the services, such as this directory, would be possible. Because of the commitment of quality businesses such as theirs, we can continue to offer quality services.

I hope this publication helps you and your family achieve living well in Angola and Steuben County!

Barbara A. DeCaire
Executive Director
Angola Area Chamber of Commerce

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Angola nestles just south of the Michigan border, in the northeastern corner of Indiana, where more than 100 lakes combine with pristine woods and rolling hills to create a recreational wonderland. With its beautiful natural areas, including Pokagon State Park, proximity to major thoroughfares, good schools, growing commercial centers, and a full array of services, for both businesses and families, the Angola area attracts major manufacturers, tourists, and a growing residential population. Continuing development, in both residential and in business communities, have turned Angola into something of a boomtown. "Money Magazine" ranked Angola and Pleasant Township 19th in the United States among communities with at least a median household income of $27, 737 (23% above the national average) and populations under 50,000. During the past 9 years, the population has grown more than 41% from 5,851 to approximately 8,248, making it the second fastest growing city in Indiana. Angola, the Steuben County seat, is surrounded by unincorporated villages and small towns, ranging in population from less than 100 to 1,500. Many of these areas, short drives from Angola, sit serenely on the shores of one of the lakes and others offer vibrant downtowns, alive with shopping and dining opportunities. The Angola area is a place for all seasons. Dozens of nature preserves invite warm-weather exploration, scores of lakes provide on-the-water enjoyment, and, when winter comes, a variety of trails and toboggan runs appeal to cross-country skiers, snowmobilers, and downhill racers. And, as more and more people discover the wonders of Steuben County, Angola and the surrounding townswelcome new residents and industry, offering the latest technologies and services while maintaining the area’s distinctive rural character.

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Much of Steuben County’s history is tied to the area’s glacial lakes, its fertile fields, and the coming of the railroad. Pioneers came from the East, building homes, plowing fields, and establishing businesses. Orland was the first town settled in 1834 when John Stocker from Vermont put down stakes. Pleasant Lake was established in 1835 and opened its own post office in 1851; the building still stands today. In 1836, Fayette Barron arrived in Metz, located about eight miles east of Angola. First settled by pioneers from Angola, New York, Angola was platted by Thomas Gale and Cornelius Gilmore on June 28, 1838, and incorporated as a village that same year.

By the 1890’s the railroad had arrived. In 1892, Wabash Railroad built a roundhouse and a company store in Ashley and constructed a depot in Helmer. Both towns benefited greatly from their close connections with the railroad. During the last century, Angola has grown to be one of northeastern Indiana’s largest commercial centers. Its history is alive and on view at a number of sites. To learn about the area’s past, visitors stop at Cline Memorial Museum, which showcases early 20th-century treasures; Steuben County Courthouse, built in 1868; the lobby of the First National Bank of Fremont, where bank antiquities and Native American artifacts are on display; and the Soldiers’ Monument, which pays homage to the 1,278 Steuben County residents who fought in the Civil War.

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Ideally located near the intersection of Interstate 69 and the Indiana Toll Road, the city of Angola attracts a wide array of industries due to its easy access to shipping and freight centers. Angola is well placed for receiving raw materials for shipping the products made from those materials. Via truck, plane, or train, residents and businesses benefit from freight services supplied through various trucking companies, Indiana Northeastern Railroad, and the Tri-State Airport. Steuben County, with its striking scenery, draws numerous visitors from larger cities. Chicago and Indianapolis are just three hours away; Fort Wayne is 45 minutes, South Bend, 90 minutes, and Detroit, two hours.

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