Establishing an historic landmark at 34-18 Mishawaka Ave

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At the May 16, 1994 regular monthly meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County (HPC), the HPC voted unanimously to send a favorable recommendation for the Local Historic Landmark designation of the Clyde & Clara Oldham house at 3418 Mishawaka Avenue to the South Bend Common Council. RECOMMEDATION Based on HPC Local Landmark Criteria [1], it is the Historic Preservation Commission's recommendation that the South Bend Common Council designate the Clyde & Clara Oldham house st 3418 Mishawaka Avenue by ordinance as a Local Historic Landmark. The property meets the criteria in at least four areas: 1. "It's ... value as part of the development, heritage, or culture of the City of South Bend ... " 2. "its embodiment of elements of architectural design, details, materials, or craftsmanship which represents an architectural characteristic ...;" 3. "its educational value," and; 4. "its suitability for preservation." This structure fulfills criteria #1 as a significant example of the city's residential heritage. In early 1993 the Oldham house was identified as one of only three remaining Lustron houses in South Bend that were virtually unaltered. [2] 3418 Mishawaka Avenue stands as a prime, local example of post World War II manufactured housing stock. This structure fulfills criteria #2 as an example of the craftsmanship of the time. The architectural style, materials and type of structural system employed in the construction are representative examples of historic architecture that are found in diminishing quantity or are being altered beyond recognition. The building's educational value (criteria #3) lies in its embodiment of the above; these forms and styles represent the culture and lifeways of past residents of South Bend. This structure also illustrates an industrial response to a housing market effected by a dearth of materials following World War II. This building is an artifact with which to study the past; its retention and preservation will contribute to a fuller understanding of South Bend's history and culture. That this building is suitable for preservation (criteria #4) is evidenced by the largely unaltered nature of its facades. The Oldham house is an essentially intact example of a Lustron house remaining on its original site on a major thoroughfare in South Bend. ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION The Oldham house received a rating of S /11 in the City of South Bend Summary Report.[3] The house was built in 1949 making it the oldest of the three unaltered Lustrons in the city. The Summary Report, conducted by the HPC and its staff, surveyed approximately six thousand sites within South Bend. This report is a part of the Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Inventory.