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Local Historic Districts are those areas designated by ordinance as having the historic significance an architectural integrity to comprise a cohesive unit importance to the City of South Bend. The Historic Preservation Commission and District Liaison Committee develop standards specifying alterations appropriate to the historic character of the homes and sites within the district. National Register Historic Districts are those areas which, due to national, state, and /or local significance, are listed by the U.S. Department of Interior in the National Register of Historic Places. While not afforded the same protections as a local district, property owners in a National Register district receive the recognition of listing, as well as certain protections from Federally- funded projects and are potentially eligible for investment tax credits and federal grants. Potential Historic Districts indicate neighborhoods where the citizens have expressed an interest in local district designation and which meet the preliminary standards of significance and integrity for consideration by the Historic Preservation Commission and the City of South Bend for local district status. • This program receives federal funds from the National Park Service. Regulations of the U.S. Department of the Interior strictly prohibit unlawful discrimination in departmental Federally Assisted Programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, or handicap. Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any program, activity or facility operated by a recipient of federal assistance should write to: Director, Equal Opportunity Program, U.S. Department of the Interior, P.O. Box 37127, Washington, D.C. 20013 -7127. The activity that is the subject of this brochure has been financed in part with Federal funds from the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. However, the contents and opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of the Interior. The grant funds are administered by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division • Historic Preservation and Archaeology. In 1973, the Historic Preservation Commission was ablished by the South Bend Common Council and St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners as a public agency to survey, identify, plan for, and recommend historic districts and landmarks. Designation of historic landmarks and districts serves to safeguard the cultural, social, and architectural heritage of the city and county by providing a means to preserve the built environment. The primary function of the Commission is to identify buildings, structures, sites, and objects which are architecturally or historically significant. The Historic Preservation Commission makes recommendations to the Common Council or the County Council for landmarks and districts which are then created by the passage of an ordinance. Once a landmark or district is designated, the Commission serves as the agency to administer the architectural standards required by the designation. To date, approximately 100 Local Landmarks, five local districts, and two National Register districts have r n designated in neighborhoods throughout the city. istrict is a geographically definable area with a significant concentration of buildings united by past events, design, material or related historical associations. Two types of districts can be found in South Bend: National Register Historic Districts - West Washington and Chapin Park, and Local Historic Districts - West North Shore, Edgewater Place, Lincolnway East, Riverside Drive, and East Wayne Street. In addition, two districts are under consideration by the Commission and the appropriate neighborhood organizations - Camp Rose and Monroe Park. SOUTH BEND'S DISTRICTS In 1820, Pierre Navarre settled along the St. Joseph River, followed by other fur traders including Lathrop Taylor and Alexis Coquillard, two men who figured prominently into South Bend's development. By 1830, South Bend's population had grown to 128 and St. Joseph County was organized. The platting of South Bend occurred the following year in the traditional grid pattern, and the city became the county seat. Incorporation of South Bend took place in 1835 and, in that same year, work began on a dam and power races along the St. Joseph River, and was completed in 1844. With the power of the river harnessed, the advent of the railroad, and other factors, South Bend became an industrial center. Professionals, business people and workers began building homes, many of which are part of today's historic districts. • By 1922, South Bend's population equaled more than 85,000 and the city covered an area of approximately sixteen square miles. The Chamber of Commerce published a book that year entitled, South Bend World Famed which touted South Bend as a "world known industrial and commercial city ... in the fertile and picturesque St. Joseph Valley." Along with its description of commercial and industrial enterprises in the city, the book also described a few of the prominent residences. In the last twenty years, local citizens and public officials have become aware of the importance of those structures as well as hundreds of others which are important to the area's cultural heritage. Over 6,000 buildings have been identified by the Commission as being historically and architecturally important. Of these several have been recommended for protection by historic landmark and district status. The majority of the buildings within the districts are private residences which are not open to the public. Please respect the owners' privacy and do not trespass. 41 SOUTH BEND'S DISTRICTS LJ Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend & St. Joseph County Partially funded by Department of Interior Grant administered by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Historic Preservation and 9 chaeology.