South Bend Turns 150 in 2015

South Bend 150 is a yearlong, community-wide celebration of our rich history as we forge our promising future.
Anniversary events will provide opportunities for residents to deepen their connection to the community.
Throughout 2015, SB150 will highlight what hard work, leadership, creativity, and determination have built
—and will continue to build.
We're always looking around the next bend!

Buy a SB150 commemorative brick that will line a path to the River Lights project, two interactive light sculptures on both sides of St. Joseph River.

1600

South Bend is inhabited by the St. Joseph Potawatomi

1679

Robert de La Salle is first European to travel into what is now known as South Bend

1820

Pierre Navarre is the first European to permanently settle in the area

1821

Eastern portion of South Bend ceded away by Potawatomi

1829

The first Post Office for the Southold community is built

1830

The Circuit Court of South Bend is established and begins continuous operations

1831

The first newspaper, the North-Western Pioneer, is published

1831

Keel boats ply the St. Joseph River, carrying supplies back and from Lake Michigan

March, 28

Alexis Coquillard and Lathrop Taylor file the Plat of South Bend

May, 12

South Bend is made permanent county seat

1833

The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi negotiates the right to remain in the Great Lakes area

1838

Over 850 Potawatomi are forced to leave area in Trail of Death

June, 16

Peter Coleman becomes first African American to settle in South Bend

1842

Rev. Edward Frederick Sorin and a band of six others establish Notre Dame

November

The Notre Dame Undertaking Parlor, today McGann Hay Funerals, was co-founded in 1842

1844

South Bend's first dam on the St. Joseph River is completed

1846

Christopher Emerick plats the town of Lowell, Indiana

1847

The first bridge over the St. Joseph River is constructed

1850

Population of South Bend reaches 1,652

October, 3

First train arrives in South Bend

February, 16

First blacksmith shop opens in downtown South Bend

1855

First volunteer fire department is established

1858

Farrow Powell was one of the first African Americans to make South Bend his home

1860

Population of South Bend reaches 3,832

1860

Henry M. Benjamin organizes the first baseball team in South Bend

April, 8

A call for recruits for the Civil War is published

1862

First public grade school established (Jefferson)

August

Camp Rose established

September, 6

First National Bank of South Bend organized

Fighting for Our Hometown

South Bend’s historic narrative comes from the story of our lives.
Honoring our history and preserving it for future generations,
South Bend Stories will feature residents sharing memories, reflecting
on their experiences, and celebrating the spirit that has sustained
South Bend for 150 years. This video featuring Mayor Pete Buttigieg
originally aired on NBC in 2013. For more information visit
nd.edu/fighting-for/2013/fighting-for-our-hometown.