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637 South Lafayette <br />RECOMMENDATION <br />Based on the HPC Local Landmarks Criteria, the building at 637 South Lafayette <br />has been recommended by the Landmarks Committee of the Historic Preservation <br />Commission as a Local Historic Landmark. The building meets the criteria in at <br />least four areas. <br />1.) Its character, interest, or value as part of the development, heritage, or <br />culture of the City of South Bend, St. Joseph County, the State if <br />Indiana, or the United States of America. <br />2.) Its embodiment of elements of architectural design, detail, materials, or <br />craftsmanship which represents an architectural characteristic or <br />innovation. t <br />3.) Its educational value. <br />4.) Its suitability for preservation. <br />The building fulfills criteria #1 as material evidence of one of South Bend's <br />most important manufacturing companies, Studebaker Company later called the <br />Studebaker Corporation. Studebaker was South Bend's largest employer for most <br />of its existence and was at the heart of South Bend's development. At the time <br />of this buildings construction, Studebaker was the largest wagon works in the <br />world. <br />The building fulfills criteria #2 as an example of late 19th century <br />functional architecture. The building is rated Significant 11 in the Indiana <br />Historic Sites and Structures Survey. <br />The building fulfills criteria #3 as the earliest of the extant Wagon Works oil <br />the site later converted to automobile production. This structure is an intact <br />example of the past industrial cultural of South Bend. Out of over 40 <br />Studebaker buildings constructed in the 19th century in South Bend, this <br />building is one of a handful not razed during the corporation building boom <br />after WWI. <br />The building meets criteria #4 by the integrity of its original construction <br />with only minor alterations. <br />CAA <br />5/9/95 <br />