In the 1950s the population continued to increase and new community organizations were formed to meet the needs of this residential community.  At the same time Ogden Dunes and its residents struggled to prevent the complete industrialization of the lake shore both to its west and to its east.

1950: The Census indicates that the Town has a population of 429 full-time residents.  The realty map listed 180 homes and cottages with the majority owned by full-time residents.   The “Sandpiper” listed 80 K-12 students and 28 in college.

1950s: National Steel (Midwest Steel) began construction on a new steel mill on the east side of Burns Waterway.  The State of Indiana developed plans for a deep-water port east of the new mill and Northern Indiana Public Service Corporation began to build a large electrical generating plant also along the lake.

1950:  The first Girl Scout troop was established in Ogden Dunes.

1952:  In June, 22 women met in the home of Dorothy Buell, 17 Cedar Court, to  form the Save the Dunes Council, with Dorothy Buell elected as the first president.

1952:  Dale Messick, creator of “Brenda Starr”, purchased a home in Ogden Dunes at 43 Shore Drive.  Dale, her daughter and husband, Oscar Strom, lived in Ogden Dunes until 1967.

1953:  A number of families formed the Ogden Dunes Community (Presbyterian) Church

1954:  Ogden Dunes Realty platted and recorded the 3rd Subdivision, the area west of Hillcrest, north of the New York Central and south of the Sand Track Railroad right-of-way.

1956:  The Town Board established the Town Planning Commission for the purpose of controlling the residential growth within the town and to have influence over the development of the unincorporated land bordering the town.

1957:  The Home Association was incorporated.  Its main purpose is to take title from Ogden Dunes Realty to the beach, play grounds, and dune preserves that have been or are to be platted, so as to maintain the privacy of these areas.

June 1959:  The Town of Portage was created to insure that new steel mills and the Port of Indiana could be built on what was previously unincorporated land.

1959:  The Lions Club of Ogden Dunes was formed.