Historical and Archaeological Investigation into the "Triangle Land" in South Bend's West Washington District.

Summary

All too often, archaeology illuminates the history of "big men." This paper narrates the history through archaeological investigation of one city corner in South Bend, Indiana, and the contribution of the businesses that occupied it in the city’s most formative years. Manufacturing successes within South Bend such as the Oliver Plow Works, and Studebaker are well known and researched. What is less well known are the supporting businesses and businessmen that made up the representative sample of this influential city. This paper illuminates the establishment, growth, and community influence of the businesses it housed, supported by extensive archival research and recovered artifacts. The humble tinsmith became the proprietor of the area’s largest hardware and lumberyards. A German immigrant and his friend established one of the area’s largest, and longest-running grocery stores that would propel both families into more prosperous circles. Elite families blended interests forming a neighborhood. The West Washington neighborhood was one of gaslights and trolley cars, nouveau-rich, and the fruits of American industrial expansion in the early 1900’s. Contributions from the wealthy helped build opera houses and churches, but it was those of the corner businessmen that formed the heart and soul of South Bend.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 81st Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (2016)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage