Merrillville began as McGwinn's Village in the 1830's, a settlement founded on Potawatomi Indian land.  It was also known at various times as Wiggins Point and Centerville, before finally settling on Merrillville in the latter half of the 1800's.  The town derived its named from two brothers who owned land in the town, William and Dudley Merrill.  Merrillville grew up along the old Lincoln Highway, now known as 73rd Avenue.  Merrillville was incorporated as a town in 1971 and has transformed into a sizeable suburban community.