Round the Bend Now and Then

In 1944, Mishawaka’s Elizabeth Richardson left home to serve American troops overseas with the Red Cross during World War II. She would never make it home. But her footlocker did. More than 80 years later, that same footlocker was discovered in the most unlikely of places: Along a creek in California. Mishawaka historian Pete DeKever joins me to tell the remarkable story of Liz Richardson, the war...

In this episode, I meet with Joseph S. Pete, an award winning journalist and business reporter for The Times of Northwest Indiana . Joseph has spent years covering the businesses, industries, restaurants, and communities of Northwest Indiana, but he's also an author with a passion for uncovering the stories of the Hoosier State. His latest book, Lost Treasures of Indiana , takes readers across the...

In this episode, local historian and author Aaron Helman shares how a forgotten briefcase, filled with letters, photographs, postcards, and personal keepsakes, revealed an entirely different side of J. D. Oliver Jr, heir to the Oliver empire. The result is a fascinating story of love, loss, and rediscovery that also paints a vivid picture of life in South Bend during the early 20th century. Read m...

This week, we’re revisiting one of the podcast’s early episodes: the story behind Four Winds Field. Better known to many longtime South Bend residents as “The Cove.” Originally released in July 2023, my conversation with former South Bend Mayor Roger Parent explores the vision, challenges, and determination that transformed a neglected site into one of downtown South Bend’s most beloved gathering...

Potawatomi Zoo has been a beloved part of our community for over a century. In this episode, I sit down with Executive Director Josh Sisk to talk about his journey to leading Potawatomi Zoo, what it takes to operate a modern accredited zoo, and the exciting vision for its future. We also take a fun look back through historic South Bend Tribune articles that highlight just how far the zoo has come...

In this episode, I sit down with Larry Clifford to explore the rich history of the Rose Garden at Leeper Park. Over 10 years ago, Larry spearheaded an effort to "resurrect the roses" and beautify a neglected historic Rose Garden at South Bend's Leeper Park. Dating back to the early 1900s, the garden has evolved through multiple redesigns, weathered floods, experienced periods of decline, and found...

For nearly 60 years, the Leeper Park Art Fair has brought artists, art lovers, and the community together beneath the trees of one of South Bend's most beautiful and historic parks. In this episode, I sit down with Leeper Park Art Fair Coordinator Hedy Lane to explore the fair's origins, the people who helped build it into a nationally recognized event, and why artists and patrons continue returni...

For decades, the massive Drewry’s Brewery complex on South Bend’s northwest side stood as one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Long after production stopped, the towering brick buildings along Elwood Avenue remained a reminder of South Bend’s industrial past. In this episode, I sit down with Drewry’s historian and collector Wes Weaver to uncover the incredible story behind the brewery. F...

For a brief moment in the 1960's, downtown Mishawaka almost looked completely different. Plans were unveiled for Center Point Tower - a futuristic 33 story skyscraper featuring offices, apartments, observation decks, and even a revolving restaurant overlooking the St. Joseph River. It would have transformed the Mishawaka skyline forever… but it was never built. In this episode, I sit down with loc...

In the early 1990s, South Bend took a bold swing, landing the College Football Hall of Fame with hopes of putting the city on the national stage and sparking new life in downtown. In this episode, I sit down with Richard Nussbaum, former South Bend city attorney under Joe Kernan and someone who had a front row seat to how it all unfolded. From the excitement of landing the Hall, to the numerous ch...

If you’ve ever driven through downtown Mishawaka, you’ve likely passed 317 Lincolnway East... and probably slowed down to take it in. Even from the outside, it’s clear: This place has a story! The Beiger Mansion has lived many lives. Built by one of Mishawaka’s most prominent families, it was once a grand social hub, later served as a home for elderly women for over forty years, narrowly escaped d...

If you were alive in America in the early 1930s, there was one name that dominated newspaper headlines everywhere: John Dillinger. He wasn’t just a criminal - he was a national celebrity outlaw. He and his gang had bank robbery down to a science: planning, timing, speed. In most cases they were in and out in a couple of minutes. And on June 30th, 1934, that machine wildly rolled into downtown Sout...

Joe Kernan’s name is deeply woven into the story of South Bend. A Navy pilot and former prisoner of war, Kernan returned home and dedicated his life to serving the community he loved. From his early role as the city’s controller, to nearly a decade as mayor of South Bend, and later as Indiana’s lieutenant governor and governor, Joe believed deeply in public service. But beyond the titles and headl...

In this episode, we’re talking about a school, but not just any school, we’re talking about Linden School: A place where education, neighborhood boundaries, civil rights activism, and the daily lives of children and families collided in the 1960s. I sit down once again with George Garner, the Assistant Director and Curator at Indiana University South Bend’s Civil Rights Heritage Center, to explore...

In this episode, we tell the story of 1415 West Washington Street, a building that’s easy to overlook today but for over 50 years served as the West Side Recreation Club, a vital gathering place and social hub for South Bend’s African American community. I meet with George Garner, the Assistant Director and Curator at Indiana University South Bend’s Civil Rights Heritage Center, and he does such a...

What was life really like in South Bend 100 years ago? In this episode, I sit down with local historian and author Aaron Helman to step back into 1926 South Bend - a year full of change, contradictions, and everyday moments that still echo today. January’s edition of Aaron’s website, The South Bend News-Times , features six stories from that year and we use them as our roadmap: from industry and p...

The main intent of this episode is simple: To honor heroes. Specifically, the heroes that served our country: Our United States veterans.   This past Saturday, November 15th, 2025, I was humbled to be a part of a Hometown Heroes event that was held at the Indiana Dinosaur Museum. The main purpose of the event was to spend a full day to come together as a community and honor and celebrate...

This episode is a special one in that I meet with my father, Joel Emery, as he shares his memories from growing up in 1960's River Park. Over the years, my parents have shared multiple stories about growing up in River Park - a neighborhood on the far east side of South Bend, IN. Their stories mirror what neighborhoods were like at that time in our country, absolutely bursting at the seams wi...

In this episode, I meet with local historian Susanna Ernst. You’ll learn ALL about a neighborhood that you might not find on any national historical registry, but the Mishawaka neighborhood known as Hooligan Heights has a 120 plus year history that is just as intriguing and interesting as any of the more notable local historical sites.   I learned SO much about Hooligan Heights from our inter...

CJ's Pub opened their doors near downtown South Bend in 1984 and 41 years later, they are still serving up their legendary pub burgers and cold beer to generations of patrons.  In this episode, I meet with the co-owner of CJ’s Pub, Judy Gish. You’ll learn ALL about the story behind CJ's Pub, from 1984 to the present day. I hope that you’ll gain a true appreciation for a local legendary spot.&...

In this episode, I meet with the President and Curator of the Mishawaka Historical Museum, Pete DeKever.  We talk about a chapter from his most recent book, LOST Mishawaka. The specific chapter that we discuss is “When Mishawaka was the Power City: The Story of the Twin Branch Dam and Power Plant” I've seen the massive Twin Branch Dam many times, but I definitely was not aware that the dam is...

In this episode, I meet with Mishawaka historian Susanna Ernst and we talk about one of our area's most iconic neighborhoods: Mishawaka's Belgian West End. The neighborhood was built by Belgian immigrants in the early 1900’s and grew into a cultural center that was equipped with everything they needed within a few blocks radius: Flemish speaking grocery stores, social clubs, banks, bakeries, and e...

In this episode, I meet Joe Molnar, the Assistant Director of Growth and Opportunity for the City of South Bend.  I wanted to learn more about the city’s role in redevelopment and the MANY moving parts and nuances that it takes to help improve our city.   Learn about:  * The challenges and the necessity of the city having to intervene in neglected properties and buildings.   *...

Earl J “Pete” Redden Sr. was an absolute visionary entrepreneur and master promoter.  He owned, operated and built Playland Park into an extremely popular amusement park that was a go to destination for decades.  When the park closed, the land was then transformed into a popular 9 hole golf course, equipped with lights to play into the night. This was all located on the land between...

In this episode, I meet with author Todd Tucker and we discuss the story behind his amazing book, “Notre Dame vs The Klan: How the Fighting Irish Defied the KKK”  Learn all about the wild clash between University of Notre Dame students and members of the Ku Klux Klan that occurred in downtown South Bend, Indiana in May of 1924.  In the book, Todd does an absolute wonderful job of, not on...