Plowed Over: An Archaeological and Historical Investigation Into the "Triangle Lot" in the West Washington District, South Bend, Indiana

Abstract

This paper narrates the history through archaeological investigation
of one city comer 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 a representative sample in the city. This paper exhibits 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 propelled
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 the corner
businessmen that formed the heart and soul of South Bend.