HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 26 2023 - Notre Dame Architecture - Research Guide
MICHELE GELFMAN PRESIDENT A CERTIFIED LOCAL GOVERNMENT
OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE ADAM TOERING HISTORIC PRESERVATION ADMINISTRATOR
EXCELLENCE | ACCOUNTABILITY | INNOVATION | INCLUSION | EMPOWERMENT
1400S County-City Building | 227 W. Jefferson Blvd. | South Bend, Indiana 46601 | p 574.235.9371 | f 574.235.9201 | southbendin.gov
October 26, 2023
Notre Dame Architecture – Historic Preservation Research
Welcome! The purpose of this session is to provide you with a brief introduction into the various records and
documentation that may assist you in your preservation projects. Many of these resources are available online.
1. Public Records
a. City of South Bend Document Search
“ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS ACT” (APRA)
DIGITAL RECORD STATS:
YEAR 2019 2021 2022 2023
PAGES 246,441 361,763 362,644 364,803
SIZE 107.92 GB 270.7 GB 314.43 GB 361.70 GB
i. Property Records (our scanned files)
1. Survey Cards
Documents related to the County-Wide survey to document structures and
determine eligibility for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.
2. Property Ownership History
Documents related to recorded deeds, financial documents, newspaper articles,
and other records that indicate who lived at the property at different times.
3. ‘Certificates of Appropriateness’
Documents related to proposed changes to locally designated properties.
4. Photographs
Documents, drawings, and photographs showing the evolution of a property.
5. Blueprints
Documents, drawings, and schematics related to a structure as originally
designed/built or indicating proposed changes.
6. “MISC”
Miscellaneous documents related to the property, including correspondence,
loose photographs, newspaper clippings, etc.
ii. Unique Record:
1. Portage Township 1932 Assessor Cards
Historic Assessor Cards, indicating information related to the property and its
Page | 2
evolution between 1932 and approximately the 1960s. Different font color
indicates different update years.
2. Online Resources
a. City of South Bend Historic Preservation – Public Information Lookup
ArcGIS Web map of the nine Local Historic Districts and individually designated local landmarks.
https://southbend.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=ff989c7c12fd4eb78a18
07b70272066c
b. State Historic Architectural and Archaeological Research Database (SHAARD)
Indiana’s official inventory of surveyed sites and structures.
https://www.in.gov/dnr/historic/4505.htm
c. SHAARD Database Map
Indiana’s official inventory of surveyed sites and structures, color-coded to indicate National
Register Eligibility.
https://indnr.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=1593429c17c34942a0d1d3f
ac03c4a80
d. Assessor’s Records – Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG)
County Assessor Cards for every parcel in St. Joseph and Elkhart Counties
http://macog.com/
e. National Register of Historic Places (Map)
Somewhat inaccurate map indicating National Register listed properties and districts.
https://www.nps.gov/maps/full.html?mapId=7ad17cc9-b808-4ff8-a2f9-a99909164466
f. South Bend Brownfields Coalition (Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps)
Website compiling historic “Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps” for local communities, geolocated and
overlayed with current maps.
https://www.brownfieldcoalition.org/
g. Library Resources (Michiana Memory)
Inventory of historic documents, images, and maps related to local history.
https://michianamemory.sjcpl.org/
h. Building South Bend
Partnership between “The History Museum,” the Notre Dame Architecture Library, and the
Historic Preservation Commission.
https://buildingsouthbend.nd.edu/
Page | 3
i. Library of Congress
Inventory of documents, images, and maps housed by the Library of Congress.
https://www.loc.gov/
3. Offline Government Resources:
a. Archives
b. Recorder’s Office
Our digitization efforts are ongoing and dynamic. If you have questions about specific properties, preservation
best practices, or are interested in learning more about internship opportunities with the Historic Preservation
Commission, please contact us directly.
Contact Information:
Adam Toering
Historic Preservation Administrator
E: atoering@southbendin.gov
P: (574) 235-7478