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NATIONAL REGISTER NOMINATION STAFF REPORT PROPERTY — St. Joseph County Infirmary / Portage Manor 3016 Portage Avenue South Bend, Indiana OWNER — Portage Manor (St. Joseph County) 3016 Portage Avenue South Bend, Indiana 46628 STANDARDS The nomination proposes placement of this building on the National register of Historic Places based on Criterion A: Event, and Criterion C: Design/Construction. National Register Bulletin 15 - How to Applv the National Register Criteria for Elevation provides that "Properties can be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places if they are associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of history." It goes on to state "Criterion A recognizes properties associated with ... a pattern of events, repeated activities or historical trends ... The events or trends ... must clearly be important within the associated context..." National Register Bulletin 15, also provides that "Properties can be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places if they embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction." It goes on to state "Criterion C recognizes properties that embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction ... represent the work of a master ... possess high artistic values ... represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction." RECOMMENDATION The Staff of the HPC recommends in favor of the nomination of the St. Joseph County Infirmary / Portage Manor located at 3016 Portage Avenue, South Bend, Indiana to the National Register of Historic Places. The building meets Criterion'A for its important role in the public welfare of St. Joseph County, and as an example of the type of facility —the modem county infirmary—that was being erected after the late nineteenth century. The Building meets Criterion C as a fine example of Classical Revival architecture, designed by the well-known local architectural firm of Freyermuth and Maurer. As described in the Description and Significance sections of the nomination, the main building was constructed in the Classical Revival Style in 1906 to serve as a county care facility for the elderly and incapacitated indigent.