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It The building meets all of the criteria: 1) Its character, interest, or value as part of the development, heritage, or culture of the City of South Bend, St. Joseph County, the State of Indiana, or the United States of America; 2) Its embodiment of elements or architectural design, detail, material or craftsmanship which represents an architectural characteristic or innovation; 3) Its educational value; 4) Its suitability for preservation; 5) Its location as the site of a significant historical event; and/or 6) Its identification with the life of a person or persons of historical significance. The site and structures fulfills criteria #1 as an excellent example of a turn of the century - modern, urban cemetery. It illustrates the growth of South Bend and the needs of its citizens for a proper burial site as well as depicts societies movement toward larger family markers and pride in being a member of a certain family. It is also the site where many Native Americans and early pioneers, such as, Robert Cavalier Sieur de LaSalle landed to cross from the Kankakee River to the St. Joseph River. The site and structures fulfills criteria #2 as excellent examples of Gothic -Revival, Classical -Revival and Egyptian -Modern mausoleums with a wonderful early twentieth century Bungalow Style gatehouse. The cemeteries various structures are rated anywhere from S/12's to 0/13's in the Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Inventory. The site and structures fulfills criteria #3 as the spot where various Native Americans and pioneers, such as, LaSalle, landed to cross over to the St. Joseph River on their journeys. A cemetery is also a wonderful place for citizens to research their heritage, discover the hardships of pioneer living and to learn about early burial rituals. The site and structures fulfills criteria #4 by the integrity of its original construction with virtually no changes to the site. It is a splendid example of a turn of the century urban cemetery. The site and structures fulfills criteria #5 as the site were R. Robert Cavalier Sieur De LaSalle began his first portage from the St. Joseph River to the Kankakee River on December 5, 1679. The site and structures fulfills criteria #6 with its association with Robert LaSalle, the Studebaker Family, the Oliver Family, the Wyman Family, the Muessel Family, the Miller Family, the Brick Family as well as numerous other prominent South Bend families. 2