This Day in South Bend - podcast cover

This Day in South Bend

West.SBwestsb.com
A podcast about the history of South Bend. News articles from the city’s past by Jacob Titus, co-host of South Bend on Purpose. New episodes release each weekday morning.
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Episodes

The Woman's Movement, 1895

On this day in 1895, the South Bend Tribune published an article about the rising number of women interested in public affairs, and anticipated the "honesty and purity of thought and purpose" that women might bring to local government.

Jun 03, 20203 min

Annexation Helps Cities Stay Alive, 1968

On this day in 1968, the Tribune began a series of articles on the reasons and problems of annexation as the Mayor Allen raised it as a way for the city to keep growing.

Jun 02, 20208 min

Five Thousand Pay Visit to Springbrook, 1915

On this day in 1915, five thousand people visited Springbrook Park to dance in the new pavilion, ride the new merry-go-round, jockey on live ponies, and scream on its new roller coaster The Big Dip.

Jun 01, 20205 min

Spiro Ready to Open New Home, 1933

On this day in 1933, Samuel Spiro & Co., merchandisers of quality clothing for men and boys, announced the opening of their new storefront on Michigan Street in downtown South Bend.

May 29, 20206 min

Oliver Hotel Is Reported Leased, 1914

On this day in 1914, the Oliver family estate leased its famous downtown South Bend hotel to two Chicago men for a reported sum of $400,000.

May 29, 20204 min

Parishioners Say Goodbye to St. Stephen

On this day in 2003, the bells of St. Stephen welcomed Hungarian and Hispanic parishioners for the last time after nearly a century on South Bend's Westside.

May 27, 20208 min

Agents Trace Membership of Club of 21

On this day in 1931, federal investigators raided the headquarters of the secretive North Side club on suspicion that the 21-member club was brewing and selling alcohol.

May 22, 20205 min

Rural Snake Gets Lost in the Big City, 1950

Today, we turn to May 20, 1950 for news that a country snake had gone missing in downtown South Bend and was later found in the entrance of a jewelry store.

May 21, 20205 min

Cutting Down Electric Railway Poles, 1890

On this day in 1890, two downtown businessmen expressed opposition to the installation of electric railway poles in front of their shops by chopping the poles down.

May 19, 20204 min

Passing of a Well Known Pawn Shop, 1908

On this day in 1908, Samuel J. Unger announced the closure of his downtown South Bend pawn shop, an enterprise that helped the city become metropolitan.

May 18, 20205 min

A Woman's Club Formed, 1895

On this day in 1895, a group of prominent women, including Mrs. Mary Stull Studebaker and Ms. Olive Tarbell Birdsell, met in a home on Colfax Avenue to form the Progress Club.

May 14, 20205 min

A Mum Social, 1885

On this day in 1885, a group of Presbyterian ladies hosted a "mum social" at the home of Mr. and Mrs. F.H. Badet, wherein guests who wanted to speak had to pay for it in cash.

May 13, 20204 min

Storyland Zoo to Shut on June 1, 1981

On this day in 1981, the South Bend Tribune broke the discouraging news that Storyland Zoo, a once-popular park attraction on the city's Southside, would soon shut its doors.

May 12, 20207 min

Fellow Workmen Fight, 1912

Today, we turn to May 11, 1912, for a brief fight between fellow workmen at the South Bend Brewing Association over the planting of a corn field between their homes.

May 11, 20204 min

Another Boom for South Bend, 1887

Today, we turn to Saturday May 7, 1887, for news that South Bend Toy had acquired a large plot of land on the city's Southeast side with plans to build an immense factory.

May 07, 20206 min

Tuesday Front Yard Day in Clean-Up, 1915

Today, we turn to May 4, 1915, for a brief South Bend News-Times report about clean-up week, a time when all residents of the city were encouraged to make visible improvements to their properties.

May 05, 20203 min

City Manager Plan, 1921

Today, we turn to April 29, 1921, for one part of a Tribune editorial series about the advantages and disadvantages of South Bend moving from our strong mayor system to that of a city manager.

Apr 30, 20205 min

The Local Political Field

Today, we turn to April 28, 1892, for a Tribune report aiming to convince residents to resist high taxes by voting Republican in an upcoming city election.

Apr 29, 20204 min

The Quarantined Colony

Today, we turn to April 27, 1900, for a report from the police station where officers exposed to a man with smallpox were quarantined with activities including old maid and fumigation.

Apr 28, 20204 min

Trend Two to One Against Clock Change

Today, we turn to April 24, 1927, for the results of The Tribune's straw poll testing sentiment on a daylight saving proposal in the city council.

Apr 24, 20207 min

People Make The City Says Tribune Speaker

Today, we turn to April 23, 1927, for a remarkable radio address in which a local businessman sells South Bend to the people of America with a simple, yet profound, message: the people make the city.

Apr 24, 202011 min

Rush to Enter Popular Girl Contest Opens

Today, we turn to April 22, 1930, for the announcement of a popular girl contest hosted by The South Bend Tribune and The Colfax Theatre with the grand prize of a trip to Hollywood to meet with movie executives and stars.

Apr 22, 20206 min
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