(La Porte County, IN) - A bridge in La Porte County will be named after a former maker of men’s clothing, including the world-famous Sansabelt pants.

 

The La Porte County Commissioners have approved naming the bridge on 400 North over Interstate 94 after Burton “Bud” Ruby. Ruby took over Jaymar-Ruby in 1957 for his father, Jack, who founded the company in Chicago in 1916. Six years later, the firm relocated to Michigan City, where it remained until closing in 2009.

 

Sansabelt pants, known for an elastic waistband, were regularly advertised on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.

 

Rudy, who was also heavily involved in the community, was 95 when he died in 2014.

 

“He was a man larger than life. Bud was a friend to everyone. He was a common guy who had a leadership streak a mile long,” said LaPorte County Commissioner Sheila Matias.

 

The bridge on Johnson Road above the Indiana Toll Road was named after Charlie Finley, the former owner of the Oakland A’s. Finley lived in LaPorte. The A’s with the colorful Finley as owner won the World Series three consecutive times in the early ’70s.

 

Matias said adding names to bridges started from an idea 18 months ago to honor late and still living LaPorte County residents for their contributions and the rich history here. Names will be added to more bridges in the coming years.

 

At some point, Matias hopes to post information about each person along with a map to the bridges on the LaPorte County government website.