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on the north and east by the park and river. Standard criteria also suggest designating groups of structures that are "associated with significant people, local or otherwise."[12] This neighborhood from the beginning has been associated with significant local individuals. Among them are the developers mentioned above -- Whitcomb and Hammond. In addition, the neighborhood was home to numerous professionals active locally -- lawyers, doctors and the like. There also were numerous business people residing here including: Walter M. Hildebrand, local real estate developer, vice-president of the Staples -Hildebrand Supply Co. (suppliers of much of the materials used in constructing the Studebaker manufacturing complex) and president of the Chamber of Commerce and the City Plan Commission; J.A.M. La Pierre, local pioneer, Civil War veteran and businessman; Christian Soens, proprietor of the last brick yard located in this section of the city as well as owner of the Gasoline Engine Manufacturing Company of Goshen. The area was also the place for the residence of Eli F. Seebirt, local attorney and mayor of South Bend in the 1920's. Overall, as with any local historic neighborhood, it is the neighborhood's "portrayal" of the era that is most relevant in determining its significance. For "Riverbend," it is its consistency over time as a middle-class residential area and its retention of the original material culture and character of the place that make it a good example for understanding local historical and cultural development. Conclusion #3 As noted above, the area presently is made up of eighty houses and ancillary structures. The most recently published (1987) Indiana Sites and Structures Inventory identified twenty-nine (29) contributing structures within these proposed boundaries, approximately 36% of the total. One structure was rated as "significant" (S-11) at that time. A resurvey was conducted this year, consisting of a "windshield survey" and research. This resurvey identified more contributing structures in 1992 than were found in 1987. This was due to two factors: 1. the restoration of some structures (removal of siding, etc.) and; 2. a closer attention to the determination of historical significance of individual structures than was possible during the "mass survey" in 1987. This resulted in the identification of structures that are contributing for their history, not necessarily as architectural examples. In 1992 there are 42 contributing structures, 52% of the total. There are now three structures that should be rated as "Significant" (S-11). As a whole the area retains sufficient numbers of contributing structures, in close enough proximity, to warrant designation. In addition, the majority of structures now considered as noncontributing could be restored to their original state with minimal rehabilitation if the owners so desired. 4