HomeMy WebLinkAboutLincoln Way East District NRform_Redacted
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
1
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations for individual properties and districts. See instructions in National Register
Bulletin, How to Complete the National Register of Historic Places Registration Form. If any item does not apply to the property being
documented, enter "N/A" for "not applicable." For functions, architectural classification, materials, and areas of significance, enter only
categories and subcategories from the instructions.
1. Name of Property
Historic name: Lincoln Way East Historic District
Other names/site number: _______________
Name of related multiple property listing:
Historic Residential Suburbs in the U.S., 1830-1960
(Enter "N/A" if property is not part of a multiple property listing
____________________________________________________________________________
2. Location
Street & number: Roughly bounded by Lincoln Way East on the north, Prinz Court on the
south, Miami Street on the west, and just west of Vernon Street on the east
City or town: South Bend State: IN County: St. Joseph
Not For Publication: Vicinity:
____________________________________________________________________________
3. State/Federal Agency Certification
As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended,
I hereby certify that this x nomination ___ request for determination of eligibility meets the
documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Historic Places
and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60.
In my opinion, the property x meets ___ does not meet the National Register Criteria. I
recommend that this property be considered significant at the following
level(s) of significance:
national statewide x local
Applicable National Register Criteria:
X A B x C D
Signature of certifying official/Title: Date
Indiana DNR-Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology
State or Federal agency/bureau or Tribal Government
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Lincoln Way East Historic District St. Joseph County, IN
Name of Property County and State
Sections 1-6 page 2
In my opinion, the property meets does not meet the National Register criteria.
Signature of commenting official: Date
Title : State or Federal agency/bureau
or Tribal Government
______________________________________________________________________________
4. National Park Service Certification
I hereby certify that this property is:
entered in the National Register
determined eligible for the National Register
determined not eligible for the National Register
removed from the National Register
other (explain:) _____________________
______________________________________________________________________
Signature of the Keeper Date of Action
____________________________________________________________________________
5. Classification
Ownership of Property
(Check as many boxes as apply.)
Private:
Public – Local
Public – State
Public – Federal
x
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Lincoln Way East Historic District St. Joseph County, IN
Name of Property County and State
Section 7 page 3
Category of Property
(Check only one box.)
Building(s
District
Site
Structure
Object
Number of Resources within Property
(Do not include previously listed resources in the count)
Contributing Noncontributing
58 11 buildings
0 0 sites
1 0 structures
0 0 objects
59 11 Total
Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register 0
____________________________________________________________________________
6. Function or Use
Historic Functions
(Enter categories from instructions.)
DOMESTIC: Single dwelling
DOMESTIC: Secondary structure
DOMESTIC: Multiple dwelling
Current Functions
(Enter categories from instructions.)
DOMESTIC: Single dwelling
DOMESTIC: Secondary structure
x
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Lincoln Way East Historic District St. Joseph County, IN
Name of Property County and State
Section 7 page 4
DOMESTIC: Multiple dwelling
COMMERCE/TRADE: professional
_____________________________________________________________________________
7. Description
Architectural Classification
(Enter categories from instructions.)
LATE VICTORIAN: Queen Anne
LATE VICTORIAN: Shingle Style
LATE 19TH AND EARLY 20TH CENTURY AMERICAN MOVEMENTS:
Bungalow/Craftsman
OTHER: American Foursquare
Materials: (enter categories from instructions.)
foundation: BRICK
walls: SYNTHETICS: Vinyl
WOOD: weatherboard
roof: ASPHALT
other: WOOD: Shingle
Narrative Description
(Describe the historic and current physical appearance and condition of the property. Describe
contributing and noncontributing resources if applicable. Begin with a summary paragraph that
briefly describes the general characteristics of the property, such as its location, type, style,
method of construction, setting, size, and significant features. Indicate whether the property has
historic integrity.)
______________________________________________________________________________
Summary Paragraph
The Lincoln Way East Historic District was developed along the south side of Vistula Avenue
which follows the south bank of the St. Joseph River. Large homes in the district were
constructed in Queen Anne, Foursquare, and Craftsman styles between the 1890-1920s, taking
advantage of river views and the streetcar line that ran between downtown South Bend and
Mishawaka on Vistula, which became part of the Lincoln Highway in 1913.
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Lincoln Way East Historic District St. Joseph County, IN
Name of Property County and State
Section 7 page 5
_____________________________________________________________________________
Narrative Description
The Lincoln Way East Historic District developed over about three periods of plats along the
south side of Vistula Avenue which became part of the Lincoln Highway in 1913. Vistula Road
was an early route believed to be a Native American trail that followed the south side of the St.
Joseph River in St. Joseph and Elkhart Counties. The road, which follows a northwest/southeast
direction with the river, became the primary link between the two largest commercial centers in
St. Joseph County, namely South Bend and Mishawaka. Surveys of the road date to the 1830s,
followed by resurveys in the 1870s. By 1895, the road was reconstructed by grading and brick
paving, and a streetcar line was established between South Bend and Mishawaka down the center
of Vistula Avenue. It was after these improvements that residential development extended along
the south side of Vistula Avenue into the 1910s. The Wenger & Krieghbaum Vistula Avenue
Addition (c. 1895) is on the west side of Miami Street and Leer’s Survey (c.1886-88) extends
from Miami Street to Leer Street. Subsequent additions by the Leer family in the early 1900s
went up to the Ottawa Court plat, c. 1900, which extends to the east end of the district.
The district is generally bounded on the west end by the Grand Trunk Railroad & Lincoln Way
Overpass (c. 1929) that continues across the St. Joseph River, on the south by the former New
York Central Railroad (1851, seen on the right side of photo 18), on the north by the St. Joseph
River/Lincoln Way (photos 01, 13), and on the east end just west of Vernon Street. At, and east
of, Vernon Street, Lincoln Way was commercialized around its intersection with Twyckenham
Drive, which features a bridge over the St. Joseph River. This is also partially true of the
intersection of Lincoln Way with Miami Street in the west end of the district, however, the scale
of homes at this intersection matches those east on Lincoln Way and commerce is limited to two
buildings, one of which is drawn out of the district. See photos 18-20.
The riverbank on the north side of Lincoln Way is wooded and the homes on the south side of
Lincoln Way and are raised slightly from the road on a berm to allow views over the road to the
river (photo 12). Many of the homes have sidewalks and steps that lead down to the sidewalk on
the south side of Lincoln Way. The street is lined with large, mature trees in landscaped lawns.
Lincoln Way is a four-lane paved road with concrete curbs and a modern metal guardrail along
its north side. The intersecting streets are narrower, paved streets with concrete sidewalks and
curbs. Ottawa Court is paved with brick and is considered a contributing structure (photo 16).
Miami Street is a historically important route leading to Lincoln Way and is a wider, paved street
with curbs and sidewalks (photo 19).
There are about fifty primary buildings in the district, nearly all of which are residences. These
are constructed in styles popular during the period of development, most notably of which are
examples of Queen Anne and to lesser number, examples of American Foursquare and
Craftsman/Bungalow styles. The homes are modestly scaled, mostly two-story, with garages or
carriage houses at the back of the lots. Very few of the primary buildings are considered non-
contributing due to alterations. Most non-contributing buildings, particularly garages, are
determined as such due to the age of the building extending beyond the period of significance.
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Lincoln Way East Historic District St. Joseph County, IN
Name of Property County and State
Section 7 page 6
A complete list of resources follows:
Beginning at Miami Street, on the south side of the road, going east.
The front façades face slightly northeast toward the street and river.
1114 Lincoln Way, Queen Anne, c. 1890, Non-contributing
Garage, c. 2000, Non-contributing (middle of photo 18).
1122 Lincoln Way, Queen Anne, c. 1900, Contributing (right side of photo 01)
Garage, c. 1920. Non-contributing.
1126 Lincoln Way, Grant & Edith McCurdy (McCready) House, Craftsman, c. 1912,
Contributing (second from right side of photo 01)
Garage, c. 1915. Contributing.
The two-story house has a foursquare form and features stucco walls and a mixture of 1/1 and
Craftsman style wood windows with upper sashes divided into multiple panes. The house has a
stucco belt course between the first and second stories and a simple cornice at the top of its
second story walls. The tall, hipped roof is covered with asphalt shingles and has flared eaves. A
porte cochere is on its west side.
The façade features a non-historic band of large display windows in a projecting, enclosed porch
across the full width of the first story. The porch has a pent roof and door in its west half. The
second story features a porch with two broad segmental arched openings in the front wall and
narrower ones in the sides. The porch is covered by an extension of the hipped roof. The back
wall of the porch steps in on its east half and features two Craftsman windows. The west half
features one Craftsman window. A dormer with a hipped roof with flare eaves is centered on the
façade. It is also covered with stucco and features two small wood attic windows divided into
twelve panes.
Walter Grant McCready (also spelled McCurdy) was a building contractor and may have also
constructed this home about 1912. He was born in Canada and immigrated to the United States
shortly after his birth. He lived in South Bend until the 1930s, after which time he moved to
Michigan.
1130/1138 Lincoln Way, One-Story Commercial Building, c. 1960, Non-contributing.
Seen near middle of photo 01
1142 Lincoln Way, George M. Brown House, Queen Anne, 1894, Contributing.
Garage, c. 1990. Non-contributing
1150 Lincoln Way, Dr. E. M. Drollinger House, Queen Anne, 1903, Contributing
Garage, c. 1920. Contributing.
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Lincoln Way East Historic District St. Joseph County, IN
Name of Property County and State
Section 7 page 7
1154 Lincoln Way, Rev. Elmer & Lucy Miller House, Queen Anne, 1905, Contributing
Photo 02
Carriage House, c. 1905. Contributing.
The large, two-and-a-half story house has a rusticated sandstone foundation, and a porch
composed of hand-split granite fieldstone foundation and piers. The walls are covered with wider
clapboards on the first story and narrower boards on the second story. The home’s gables are
covered with wood shingles. The walls and windows are neatly trimmed with boards. A tall trim
board divides the first and second stories and features ogee molding. A matching design is at the
top of the second story where modillions support the overhanging eaves. The house has 1/1 wood
windows in the first story, with simple cornice hoods. The second story features multiple
diamond shaped panes in the upper sash over a single pane in the lower sash. The steeply pitched
gabled roof is covered with interlocking asphalt shingles. A three-sided, projecting bay with
cutaway corners forms the landing in the center of the west façade and features windows on each
wall. It is supported by large wood brackets that flank an entry in the first story.
The facade features a full-width porch of stone piers between which are wood balustrades of
turned balusters. The piers support wood Doric columns that carry an entablature on which the
flat porch roof rests. The center of the porch has semicircular steps over which the porch roof
also projects to form the semicircle. The wood entry door, with large elliptical window, is off
centered to the west in the back wall of the porch. A projecting, three-side bay with cutaway
corners is west of the entry. It features 1/1 windows in each wall. A large, fixed window is east
of the entry and the east corner of the façade is cutaway and features a 1/1 window. The second
story of the façade is divided in half with the east half stepped back on the façade. It features a
three-sided bay with a wide window in its front wall. It is covered by an extension of the cross-
gabled roof. The west half of the second story features a projecting, three-sided bay with
cutaway corners. Each wall has a window, and it is sheltered by a pent roof that encloses the attic
gable above. The attic gable features a full-round arched opening for a fifteen-pane wood
window. The wood surround forming the arch features a wood key. A dormer is in the east half
of the façade, and it features an enclosed, pedimented gable and a small window with a top sash
divided into a eight triangular panes over a single-pane lower sash. The tall, hipped roof is flat on
top and features lower cross gables.
Elmer and Lucy (Buck) Miller lived in this home prior to 1910 through the 1920s. Elmer Miller
had been a lumber clerk working for the Studebaker Company in the early 1900s, then followed
in the footsteps of his father, who was a minister in the Nappanee area, and became an evangelist
with the Brethren denomination headquartered at Winona Lake during the 1910s. He died in
Florida in 1948.
1158 Lincoln Way, Frederick & Katherine Loughman House, Craftsman Bungalow, 1923.
Contributing. Photo 03
G. T. Nethercutt, architect.
The one-and-a-half story, side-gabled bungalow features a light brown colored brick foundation
and corner porch walls. The home’s walls are covered with clapboards and the Craftsman style
windows are wood with simple wood trim boards. The roof is covered with asphalt shingles. The
eaves are supported by wood braces that carry fascia composed of two rake boards divided by
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Lincoln Way East Historic District St. Joseph County, IN
Name of Property County and State
Section 7 page 8
small purlin-like extensions from the soffits. Both the east and west sides of the house feature
one-story, three-sided projecting bays with shed roofs. The west façade also features a brick
chimney.
The facade is dominated by a full-width porch with large, square brick corner columns that
support an extension of the main roof. A wood door with Craftsman window in the top is in the
east half of the porch’s back wall. A row of three 4/1 Craftsman windows is in the west half of
the porch’s back wall. The façade features a wide front dormer with gabled roof and eave/fascia
trim matching the main roof. The dormer has a row of three 1/1 modern windows.
The home was constructed for Frederick and Katherine Loughman using a design by South Bend
architect, G. T. Nethercutt. Fred J. Loughman was the owner of Loughman’s, advertised at the
oldest cartage firm in South Bend in 1925. Fred Laughman was also vice-president of Fabric
Roll Protector Company, started by his father, George Laughman. The architect, Glenn Thaddeus
Nethercutt, attended Cornell University and worked as a draftsman, then architect, for Austin &
Shambleau during the 1920-30s, before moving to California.
1164 Lincoln Way, Catherine C. Wenger House, Queen Anne/T-plan, 1890, Contributing
Right side of photo 04
Garage, c. 1900. Contributing.
This T-plan house is very similar to 1114 Lincoln Way East prior to that home’s features being
removed or covered by modern siding. This home is two-stories with a brick foundation and
clapboard siding. The gables feature patterned wood shingles. The walls feature simple trim
boards on corners and around windows and a tall frieze board is at the top of the second story.
The home has 1/1 wood windows. The roof is covered with asphalt shingles. A nicely detailed
three-sided bay with cutaway corners is in the west-facing gabled leg of the home. It has simple
1/1 segmental arched windows in each wall, pilaster-like corners, and recessed panels below the
windows. The bay’s mansard roof is carried by carved scroll brackets that spring from the
pilasters.
The façade is dominated by a wide wraparound wood porch composed of turned posts, turned
spindles in the balustrade, and simple frieze panels of turned spindles. The porch roof is hipped.
The forward projecting leg of the T-plan features cutaway corners with 1/1 wood windows in the
corners and a large 1/1 window centered on its front wall. Entry doors with segmental arched
windows and transoms composed of art glass are in the west-facing wall of the front leg and
front-facing wall of the west leg of the T-plan. The second story features gables with pairs of 1/1
wood windows centered in the gable wall. A wood cornice with a carved pediment that rises
from the center is over each pair of windows. The patterned shingle work includes three
diamond-shaped panels of wood with carved bullseyes in the center at the top of the gable wall.
A small fan of gable trim is at the top of the front gable. The northeast corner of the second story
features a square tower with a low-pitched pyramidal roof rising above the entries on the first
story. The tower has a simple double-hung window with sashes divided into small diamond-
shaped panes.
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Lincoln Way East Historic District St. Joseph County, IN
Name of Property County and State
Section 7 page 9
The Wenger name has long been associated with this area of South Bend since the family
purchased a farm about 1838. Catherine Wenger was the widow of M. L. Wenger and owned a
large farm west of Miami Street on the south side of the St. Joseph River. A portion of that farm
is part of the district, on the west side of Miami Street. Catherine Wenger’s son, Christian, lived
at 1207 Miami Street in an area platted by the Wenger family after 1895. Catherine Wenger
purchased the first lot made available through the Leer Survey in 1886, and had this house
constructed about 1890.
1168 Lincoln Way, Martin House, Craftsman/American Foursquare, 1922, Contributing
Left side of photo 04 & 05
Carriage House, c. 1920. Contributing.
1172 Lincoln Way, Stuart House, Queen Anne, 1894. Contributing
Middle of photo 05
Garage, c. 1920. Contributing.
(Marine Street intersects)
1202 Lincoln Way, Roher House, Queen Anne, 1902. Contributing
Photo 06
Carraige House, c. 1902. Contributing (right side of photo 06)
1208 Lincoln Way, Albert Harris House, Queen Anne, 1898. Contributing.
Middle of photo 07
1212 Lincoln Way. Jerome & Mable Robinson House, Queen Anne, 1906. Contributing
Left side of photo 07
Schutt & Teeple, architects.
Garage, c. 1960. Non-contributing.
The tall, two-story house has a large cube form with a steeply pitched hipped roof with lower
cross gables, covered with asphalt shingles. The house has a brick foundation and clapboards.
The bottom of the second story flares out over the first story. The wood windows are simple 1/1
with cornice hoods. The roof. The full-width front porch has brick piers with stone caps that
carry wood Ionic columns. The columns carry a wood beam with rows of dentils and carved
brackets over the columns that flank the entry to the porch, off centered to the east on the façade.
The porch has an enclosed pediment centered over the porch entry. Vertical trim boards are in
the tympanum. The low-pitched hipped porch roof is covered with asphalt shingles.
The façade features a two-story, slightly projecting three-sided bay in its west half (intersected
by the porch roof). Each wall of the bay features a 111 window. The second story windows have
upper sashes divided into diamond-shaped panes. A lower cross gable juts out above the bay and
features a gable wall enclosed at the bottom with a narrow pent roof. An oval window is centered
in the wall and is divided into a fan-like design by mullions. The east half of the façade features a
wood door with large, oval window and a 1/1 window in the first story and a 1/1 window
centered in the second story.
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Lincoln Way East Historic District St. Joseph County, IN
Name of Property County and State
Section 7 page 10
The house belonged to Jerome Stover and Mabel (Denslow) Robinson during the 1900s-1920s.
Jerome Robinson was a traveling salesman. Mabel died in 1926, and Jerome moved into the
Robertson Hotel in South Bend. He later died in 1951. They are buried in nearby Bowman
Cemetery. The house was designed by the South Bend architectural firm of Schutt & Teeple,
which was a partnership between Ross Schutt and Wallace D. Teeple. The partnership seemed to
be short-lived, as the two separated due to accounting conflict in 1904. Teeple, a graduate of the
University of Illinois in 1894, served as South Bend Building Commissioner and civil engineer
during the 1920-30s.
1216 Lincoln Way, Harper House, Queen Anne, 1895. Contributing
Garage, c. 1920. Contributing.
1222 Lincoln Way, Delmar C. & Elnora Leer House, Shingle Style Cottage, 1895. Contributing
Photo 08, right side of photo 09
Carriage House, c. 1895. Contributing (right side of photo 08)
The one-and-a-half story, side-gabled house, features clapboards on its first story and patterned
shingles in its gables. The top of the gable walls steps out slightly from the gable wall below.
The house has 1/1 wood windows. The steeply pitched roof is covered with asphalt shingles. The
house has a porch that wraps around from the front façade to the west façade and has flared
eaves. The porch features turned wood posts with carved brackets. The porch has a balustrade of
turned balusters and square newel posts.
The façade features a wood entry door with a small square window to its west side in the west
half of the porch’s back wall. The remaining façade is dominated by a wide three-sided
projecting bay with cutaway corners. This bay continues through the roof, though slightly
smaller in scale, to form a dormer in the second story. The bay’s first story walls each feature a
wide 1/1 window. The bay’s second story is covered with shingles and features a 1/1 window in
the front wall and smaller 1/1 in the cutaway corner walls. The second story bay/dormer features
a gable that projects above the bay and is supported by corner brackets, covered with shingles.
The gable wall is also covered by patterned shingles.
Delmar Leer was the son of Jacob and Mary Leer. The Leers were early residents of South Bend
who owned a large farm that Jacob Leer initially surveyed and divided into lots beginning in
1886 to form Leer’s Survey, which constitutes the bulk of this district. Delmar Leer ultimately
inherited most of the family farm and continued to expand the plat of Leer’s Survey eastward
with residential building lots. Delmar married Elnora Denslow in 1892 and had this home
constructed in 1895. Delmar Leer was heavily involved in the real estate industry in South Bend
and Mishawaka. Elnora died in 1931, and Delmar died in 1941.1 They are buried in nearby
Bowman Cemetery.
1224 Lincoln Way, Hite House, American Foursquare, 1916. Contributing
Left side of photo 09
Garage, c. 1916. Contributing.
1 “Delmar C. Leer, Realtor, Dies” South Bend Tribune. 11 June 1941. Pg. 23, col. 6
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Lincoln Way East Historic District St. Joseph County, IN
Name of Property County and State
Section 7 page 11
1228 Lincoln Way, D. S. & Netta Ellison House, Craftsman Bungalow, 1913. Contributing
Photo 10
Garage, c. 1915. Contributing
Ernest W. Young, architect.
The one-and-a-half story, side-gabled bungalow has clapboard siding and 4/1 wood windows
with simple trim boards. The low-pitched roof features wide overhanging eaves supported by
purlins, sawn rafter tails, and corner braces. The roof is covered with interlocking asphalt
shingles. A chimney composed of fieldstone is on the east façade while a three-sided bay with
gabled roof projects from the center of the west façade.
The façade is dominated by its unusual, natural fieldstone walls with red mortar and tapered
corner columns of stone. The columns and walls are capped with limestone. The porch has a
wide center opening that leads to a slightly projecting, three-sided entry bay centered at the back
of the porch wall. The bay has a wide wood door flanked by 6/1 windows and topped with
Craftsman inspired trim. The bay is flanked by casement windows divided into six panes in the
back wall of the porch. The porch’s corner columns carry a long wood beam with carved tails
and a broad, segmental arch over the porch’s front wall. A wide gabled dormer is centered on the
façade and features a row of three small wood windows. A short balcony-like wall, capped with
wood, fronts the dormer.
The Ellison house was constructed in 1913 for Dempster Sherman (D. S.) & Netta Ellison using
designs by South Bend architect Ernest W. Young. D. S. Ellison began a career in newspapers,
which brought him to South Bend in 1908 to join the South Bend Times staff. He went on to
serve as deputy county clerk for St. Joseph County, then became a salesman before starting
Ellison Insurance Company about 1923.2 Ernest William Young, the architect, studied at the
Chicago Art Institute before moving to South Bend in 1904, where he was employed as a
draftsman with the firm of Schneider & Adelsperger. He opened his own architectural practice
by the 1910s and designed many of the city’s fine residences and public buildings until he died
in 1959.3
1232 Lincoln Way, John & Alma Sailors House, Shingle Style Cottage, 1909. Contributing
Right side of photo 11, left side of photo 12
Freyermuth & Maurer, architects.
Garage, c. 1920. Contributing.
The two-and-a-half story, side-gabled house has walls and gables covered with wood shingles.
The steeply pitched gable walls are flared at the bottom of the second story. The house has 16/1
wood windows with simple wood trim boards. A tall, narrow window divided into 36 panes is
centered at the top of the side gable walls. The roof is covered with asphalt shingles and a tall
brick chimney is in the north half of the east façade. The façade features a full-width, incised
porch with a front wall divided into three large segmental arched openings, with matching ones
in the porch’s east and west walls. The porch walls are also covered with wood shingles.
2 “D. S. Ellison Dies Upstate” Indianapolis News. 29 March 1949. Pg. 25, col. 6
3 “E. W. Young Dies in Home” South Bend Tribune. 31 Jan 1959. Pg. 9, col. 5
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Lincoln Way East Historic District St. Joseph County, IN
Name of Property County and State
Section 7 page 12
The back wall of the porch features a wood entry door and side-lites divided into multiple, small
square panes centered in the façade. The entry is flanked by large double-hung windows, with
multiple small square panes in the top half, flanked by narrow windows divided into multiple
small square panes. The façade features two matching dormers in the second story. The dormers
have walls covered with wood shingles and hipped roofs covered with asphalt shingles. The front
corners of the dormer walls are tapered out/downward and the front wall features double-hung
windows, with multiple small square panes in the top half, flanked by narrow windows divided
into multiple small square panes.
The house appears to have been constructed for the newlywed couple of John L. Sailors and
Alma Muessel, who were married in 1909, about the time the house was constructed. John
Sailors was secretary-treasurer, and later president of Sailors Brothers Company, a furniture store
in the city. Alma Muessel was the daughter of Edward and Mary Muessel, a German family of
brewers with a wholesale liquor company in South Bend. The architectural firm of Freyermuth &
Maurer was one of the most prolific firms of the early 20th century in South Bend and completed
work in a wide region around the city. George Freyermuth and R. V. Maurer formed the firm in
1897.
1236 Lincoln Way, Charles Hildebrand House, Queen Anne, 1897. Contributing
Left side of photo 11
Carriage House, c. 1897. Contributing.
1244 Lincoln Way (vacant lot, not counted as a resource)
(Leer Street intersects)
1306 Lincoln Way, W. F. Brown House, Queen Anne, 1895. Contributing.
Right side of photo 13
1312 Lincoln Way, Dr. Louis S. LaPierre House, Queen Anne, c. 1904. Contributing.
Second from right side of photo 13, right side of photo 14
The two-story house is constructed in a cube form with side gables and crossing, lower front
gable. The walls are covered with clapboards with a cornice board and cornice returns at the top
of the second story. The gables are covered with wood shingles. The house has 1/1 wood
windows with cornice hoods. A notable feature in the side gables are tall, narrow attic vents
filled with wood latticework and an eyebrow of shingles that projects over the top of the vent.
The façade features a full-width front porch with simple wood posts and railings with pickets.
The posts support a flat porch roof carried by a beam that is detailed like the cornice boards and
returns on the main roof. The entry is in the west end of the porch’s back wall. Two large 1/1
wood windows are east of the door. The second story features a wide cross gable that rises
through the eave. This gives the impression of wide cornice returns on the main roof and cornice
returns on the cross gable, stepped up from the main roof. The cross gable features two 1/1 wood
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windows. The top of the gable is enclosed with a cornice supported by four small scroll brackets.
The enclosed wall of the gable features patterned wood shingle work.
The house was constructed for Dr. Louis S. LaPierre and his wife, Clara, about 1904. Records
indicate that they did not live in the house for an extended time, moving to Colfax Street by
1906. LaPierre was a dentist with his offices in the American Trust Building in downtown South
Bend.
1314 Lincoln Way, David Fisher House, Queen Anne, 1905. Contributing.
Middle of photo 14
1318 Lincoln Way, Bungalow, 1916. Contributing.
Left side of photo 14
Garage, c. 1920. Contributing
1322 Lincoln Way, Austin House, Queen Anne, 1905. Contributing.
1330 Lincoln Way, Kinzie House, American Foursquare, 1917. Contributing.
Right side of photo 15
1334 Lincoln Way, Elias & Elizabeth Good House, Gable-front, c. 1895. Contributing
Left side of photo 15
David Fisher, builder.
Garage, c. 1895. Contributing.
The one-story, gable-front house has a brick foundation and vinyl siding on its walls. The house
has 1/1 wood windows and a full-width front porch with walls covered with vinyl siding. The
low-pitched hipped porch roof is supported by pairs of wood posts on the corners and single
posts in the center of its front and east sides. The back wall of the porch steps in on its east half
and features a wood door with window divided into multiple square panes. The northeast corner
of the porch is cutaway and features a 1/1 wood window. The west half of the porch’s back wall
features a large 1/1 wood window. The front gable features a small window divided into three
panes with unusual, projecting top and bottom trim similar to what would expect with Shingle
style homes (the garage matches this as well). The roof is covered with asphalt shingles and the
front eaves are supported by wood braces.
Elias Good purchased lot 96 in Wenger’s 4th addition from Albert Sholly for $1500 in 1894.
Elias was a commercial traveling salesman. The house was constructed shortly after for Elias and
his wife by David Fisher. Fisher was a local designer-contractor who built homes in the district.
Fisher lived next door at 1342 Lincoln Way.
1342 Lincoln Way. Fisher House, Queen Anne, 1895. Contributing
Garage, c. 1910. Contributing.
1346 Lincoln Way. Austin House, Queen Anne, 1900. Contributing
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(Ottawa Ct. intersects, photo 16)
1352 Lincoln Way, Queen Anne, 1910. Contributing
Left side of photo 16
1402/1404 Lincoln Way, House/T-plan, 1900. Contributing
Garage, c. 1920. Contributing.
1412 Lincoln Way, Robert E. & Sarah Burger House, Craftsman Bungalow, c. 1923.
Contributing. Photo 17
Garage, c. 1923. Contributing.
The one-and-a-half story, side-gabled bungalow has walls composed of brown-colored brick.
The house has Craftsman style 3/1 wood windows with stone sills. The roof features exposed
rafter tails and wood braces under the eaves. The roof is covered in asphalt shingles. The east
façade has a brick chimney flanked by short windows divided into three vertical panes. The full-
width front porch is enclosed with pairs of 3/1 windows on its east and west sides and large,
single panes that flank the porch door centered in the wall. The porch is covered by a shed roof
extension of the main roof and is supported by brick corner columns. The façade features a
gabled dormer in the center of the roof. It has walls covered with plywood and a row of three
small 3/1 wood windows. The dormer gable is supported by three small wood braces.
Robert E. Burger was the treasurer of Hollingsworth-Turner Company, manufacturer of ice
cream, during the time he and his wife, Sarah (Stauffer), lived in the house during the 1920s until
his death in 1929. A transfer of lot 53 in Leer’s replat of its second addition occurred in 1923
between Neva Miller and Sarah Burger for $1.00. The house was built shortly after.
South Side of Prinz Court
1311 Prinz Court. Post House, Gable-front, 1903. Contributing
East side of Miami Street, heading south
1210 Miami St. Gulfport Service Station, c. 1945. Non-contributing
Corner of building seen in left side of photo 18
1232/1234 Miami St. George W. Cole House, Queen Anne, c. 1903. Non-contributing
Right side of photo 18
West side of Miami Street, heading south
1207 Miami St. Christian M. & Mary Wenger House/T-plan, c. 1890. Contributing.
Right side of photo 20
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1217 Miami St. Nelson H. Kyser House, Queen Anne, 1903. Contributing
Middle of photo 20, right side of photo 19
Garage, c. 1955. Non-contributing
1221 Miami St. Charles & Anna Kemble House/T-plan, 1895. Contributing
Second from right side of photo 19, left side of photo 20
Garage, c. 1900. Contributing
Garage, c. 1920. Contributing
The two-story brick house features a foundation composed of rubblestone and 1/1 wood
windows with rusticated stone sills and smooth stone lintels. The roof is covered with asphalt
shingles. The front (east) facing leg of the T-plan has a wide 1/1 window in its first and second
stories. The entry porch is located on the north side of the front-facing leg and features wood
posts that support a shed roof. The porch has wood shingles in its front (east) wall. Wood entry
doors with transoms are in the north wall of the east-facing leg and east wall of the north-facing
leg of the T-plan. A short 1/1 wood window is in the second story of the east wall of the north-
facing leg of the T-plan and its north façade matches the east (front) façade. It is interesting to
note that the south-facing leg of the T-plan has 1/1 wood windows with segmental arches
composed of brick.
Fittingly enough, this brick house belonged to Charles H. Kemble, a masonry contractor in the
city. He and his wife, Anna Rosetta, lived in and owned the house by 1900, likely constructed by
Kemble. They lived in the house into the 1910s with his son, Harry Kemble, who was also a
masonry contractor, but had moved to Indiana Avenue by 1920. Charles Kemble died in 1922
and was buried in nearby Bowman Cemetery.
1223 Miami St. American Foursquare, c. 1915. Contributing
Second from left side of photo 19
1227 Miami St. Elliott R. LaHommedieu House, Queen Anne, c. 1900. Contributing
Left side of photo 19
East side of Leer Street
1422 Leer Street. Detrie House, Gable-front, 1900. Contributing
Garage, c. 1940. Non-contributing
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East side of Ottawa Court
Brick Street, c. 1905. Contributing (structure, photo 16)
1520/1522 Ottawa. Duplex, c. 1909. Contributing
Right side of photo 16
Garage, c. 1950. Non-contributing
The two-story cube form is unusual in the district for its double-house construction. The house
has aluminum siding and a wainscot of Bedford stone on the façade’s first story. This wainscot
rises to form a surround for the two entry doors. The house has 1/1 wood windows and wood
entry doors with full windows. The steeply pitched hipped roof features lower cross gables over
the east half of the north and south facades, and a pair of lower cross gables on the front (west)
façade. The roof is covered with asphalt shingles and features flared eaves. The front façade has
two concrete porches with pairs of wood Doric columns that support a gable over each porch
entry. The gables are connected by a shed roof in the middle of the façade. The entry doors are in
the back wall of each porch. A 1/1 wood window is between the doors, off centered to the north.
The second story features two 1/1 wood windows with a narrow-slit window in the center of the
façade. The lower cross gables on the front of the house feature a small 1/1 wood window in the
gable wall.
The building appears to have been built as a property to rent out as a duplex in about 1909. The
1910 census shows two of the earliest families who lived in 1520 and 1522 Ottawa Court. Oliver
and Grace (Bigler) Plank, in their early 20s, lived in 1520 Ottawa Court. Oliver Plank was a
molder with South Bend’s pulley works company. They were married in 1906. Byron and Rose
(Swaney) Crager lived in 1522 Ottawa Court. The couple were in their mid-20s and had been
married in 1908. Byron, a native of Kalamazoo, Michigan, was an artist who worked as an
engraver with the South Bend Engraving Company. He met his wife while painting in Old
Mission Peninsula, Michigan.4
4 “Beauties of Mother Nature Fade Before Maiden’s Eyes” Detroit Free Press. 16 Aug 1908. Pg. 8, col. 4-5
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_________________________________________________________________
8. Statement of Significance
Applicable National Register Criteria
(Mark "x" in one or more boxes for the criteria qualifying the property for National Register
listing.)
A. Property is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the
broad patterns of our history.
B. Property is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past.
C. Property embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of
construction or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values,
or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components lack
individual distinction.
D. Property has yielded, or is likely to yield, information important in prehistory or
history.
Criteria Considerations
(Mark “x” in all the boxes that apply.)
A. Owned by a religious institution or used for religious purposes
B. Removed from its original location
C. A birthplace or grave
D. A cemetery
E. A reconstructed building, object, or structure
F. A commemorative property
G. Less than 50 years old or achieving significance within the past 50 years
x
X
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Areas of Significance
(Enter categories from instructions.)
ARCHITECTURE
TRANSPORTATION
Period of Significance
1890-1923
___________________
Significant Dates
1895
1913
Significant Person (last name, first name)
(Complete only if Criterion B is marked above.)
___________________
___________________
Cultural Affiliation
___________________
___________________
Architect/Builder (last name, first name)
Nethercutt, G. T.
Schutt & Teeple
Young, Ernest W.
Fisher, David
Freyermuth & Maurer
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Period of Significance (justification)
The period of significance begins with the construction of the first house, the Wenger House, at
1164 Lincoln Way, in 1890 (right side of photo 04). The period concludes when the last
contributing house, the Loughman House, was constructed in 1923 at 1158 Lincoln Way (photo
03). The high majority of homes were built between 1894-1917. Two important dates to be noted
are 1895 when Lincoln Way (then Vistula Avenue) was significantly improved and streetcar line
followed the center of the street, and 1913 when Vistula became part of the Lincoln Highway.
Criteria Considerations (explanation, if necessary)
Statement of Significance Summary Paragraph (Provide a summary paragraph that includes
level of significance, applicable criteria, justification for the period of significance, and any
applicable criteria considerations.)
The Lincoln Way East Historic District is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
under criterion C/architecture. The relatively large concentration of middle-class Queen Anne,
and American Foursquare homes constructed between about 1894 and 1917 took advantage of
views overlooking the St. Joseph River and the improved route into downtown South Bend. A
number of the homes are architect-designed and feature historic carriage houses and garages.
The district also qualifies using criterion A/transportation. The line of homes that form the
district were the outgrowth of important transportation improvements by South Bend and
between the city and Mishawaka. Lincoln Way is an early 19th century route in St. Joseph
County and was improved in 1895 with the added feature of a streetcar line. The route was then
designated as part of the Lincoln Highway in 1913.
The district qualifies under the multiple properties documentation form: Historic Residential
Suburbs in the U.S., 1830-1960. The Lincoln Way East Historic District was developed between
about 1890-1923 with the majority of its development occurring after a streetcar line was
established in 1895 on Lincoln Way. Therefore, the district qualifies under the sub-type of the
MPDF: Early Streetcar Suburbs, 1888-1928.
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______________________________________________________________________________
Narrative Statement of Significance (Provide at least one paragraph for each area of
significance.)
ARCHITECTURE
Due to the arcing nature of Lincoln Way, following the St. Joseph River, and the raised grade on
which homes are placed on the south side of the street, the architecture represented in the district
has a commanding presence (photos 01, 12-13). Many of the homes belonged to upper middle-
class families and feature refinements of their respective styles. The majority of homes are built
in the Queen Anne style, followed by a few examples of American Foursquare and
Craftsman/Bungalow styles. A comparatively large number of the houses were also designed by
South Bend architects, which are covered in section 7.
Queen Anne Style
The Queen Anne Style was popular between 1880 and 1910; it was named and popularized by a
group of 19th century English architects led by Richard Norman Shaw. The historical precedents
used had little to do with the Renaissance style popular during Queen Anne’s reign; rather they
borrowed from late medieval examples of the proceeding Elizabethan and Jacobean era.
Spindlework popularly used with the style and free classic subtypes are American interpretations
and became the most dominant form of the style in the United States. As Free Classic
adaptations were made to the Queen Anne style, they increased in popularity and the transition to
Classical Revival and other competing styles occurred with ease.
The district boasts several large examples of Queen Anne style homes, along with more modest
examples of the same. Examples of the style account for more than half the homes in the district
which represents the early time period during which it was developed between 1890-1910. A few
notable examples of the Queen Anne style in the district include what is probably the oldest
home, the Wenger House, built about 1890 at 1164 Lincoln Way (right side of photo 04). The
house has a T-plan form with a wrap-around porch of turned posts and spindles, pattered shingle
work in the gables, and a tower on its inside, northwest corner. The home features cutaway
corners on its front-projecting leg of the T-plan as well as a three-sided projecting bay with
cutaway corners on its west façade. A house that is identical in plan is located at 1114 Lincoln
Way but has had many of its features covered or removed. Another modest-sized example of the
style was built at 1312 Lincoln Way in 1909 (second from right side of photo 13). The house has
cross gables with cornice returns and patterned shingle work. The top of the front gable is
enclosed by a cornice supported by scroll brackets and an eyebrow of shingles shelters tall attic
vents in the side gables.
One of the largest examples of the Queen Anne style was constructed at 1154 Lincoln Way in
1905 (photo 02). The house has a large front porch of stone and Doric columns with a
semicircular entry to the porch. The house has multiple projecting three-sided bays, cutaway
corners, and patterned top sashes in its second story. The multiple gables are enclosed with eave
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returns and supported by modillions. Two of the gables feature full-round arched windows with
keys. Another large example is located at 1212 Lincoln Way (left side of photo 07). The large
cube form house has lower cross gables, a few oval windows, and a nicely detailed porch. The
porch has brick piers that support Ionic columns, two of which flank the porch entry and support
a pedimented gabled. The home was designed by architects Schutt & Teeple about 1905.
Shingle Style
While fairly simple in application of this style, there are two cottages that were constructed in the
Shingle Style in the district. These are located at 1222 and 1232 Lincoln Way. Both homes are
one-and-a-half stories and feature large, expansive side gables covered with patterned shingle
work. The house at 1222 Lincoln Way (photo 08) was built for the Leer family in 1895 and
features a porch that wraps the front and west sides of the home. A two-story bay with cutaway
corners projects through the porch roof on the east side of the façade and forms a turret-like
feature. It forms a dormer in the second story that is capped with a gabled roof supported by
brackets covered with shingles. The example at 1232 Lincoln Way (right side of photo 11, left
side of 12) was designed in 1909 by architects Freyermuth & Maurer and features a front porch
with segmental arched openings with walls and columns wrapped in shingles. The house has
16/1 wood windows and two large dormers with hipped roofs on the façade. The side gables
flare out over the first story and feature tall, narrow slit-like windows in the attic. The Shingle
Style had limited popularity, mostly along the upper East Coast where it was used for coastal and
large vacation homes.
American Foursquare
The American Foursquare type was popular during the early 1900-1920s. Two stories tall,
rectangular in plan, and typically crowned with a hipped roof, most builders incorporated
Craftsman or Colonial Revival-styled porches into their facades. The Foursquare offered more
living space than most bungalows while having an Arts & Crafts feeling. It is thought to have
grown out of the earlier Italianate cube-style house but became more regulated in its floor plan
with four rooms on the first floor and second floor. Because of its prevalence in the Midwest, it
was also called the “cornbelt cube”. Five examples of the American Foursquare form were
constructed in the district, two of which have Craftsman features.
The houses at 1126 and 1168 Lincoln Way have Craftsman features applied to the foursquare
form. The house at 1126 Lincoln Way is a large, two-story house with segmental arches on the
second story that forms a balcony on the façade (second from right side of photo 01). The
building is covered with stucco. The brick house at 1168 Lincoln Way is a more traditional
American Foursquare but features Craftsman style windows and stylized brick columns on its
front porch (right side of photo 05). The brick house at 1224 Lincoln Way is similar to 1168
Lincoln Way but has 12/1 wood windows (photo 09). The example at 1223 Miami Street is also
a very traditional, frame American Foursquare and has gabled dormers in its tall, hipped roof
(second from left side of photo 19).
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Craftsman/Bungalow
Another style with a limited presence in the district is representative of the trend in residential
design away from American or European precedents during the early 1900s. Craftsman-
Bungalow architecture broke from revival styles. The Craftsman style was inspired in part by the
work of brothers Charles and Henry Greene in California. Their work spanned from 1893 to
1914; in 1903 they began applying Arts & Crafts details to simple bungalows that quickly
became popularized by several home magazines of the period, including Gustav Stickley’s The
Craftsman. The term bungalow originates in India where it refers to a low house surrounded by
porches. The American form of the bungalow was publicized in California. The Craftsman style
spread quickly through the country as an acceptable and desirable style for the growing middle
class in quickly developing suburbs. These homes were further popularized in pattern books and
other home magazines, as well as in local newspapers. The bungalow form and Craftsman style
were popular from about 1905-1935.
There are four bungalows in the district, two of which were architect-designed. The most
interesting of these is the Japanesque-inspired bungalow at 1228 Lincoln Way built in 1913 and
designed by noted South Bend architect Ernest W. Young (photo 10). The side-gabled
bungalow’s most notable feature is its full-width porch composed of fieldstone boulders. The
porch is sheltered under an extension of the low-pitched roof that features sawn rafter tails under
its eaves. The bungalow at 1158 Lincoln Way (1923) was designed by architect G. T. Nethercutt
and features Craftsman style windows and an interesting fascia/eave composition supported by
wood brackets (photo 03).
TRANSPORTATION
Formation of the District
The Lincoln Way East Historic District owes much of its formation from transportation networks
that impacted this narrow strip of land along the St. Joseph River southeast of downtown South
Bend. Lincoln Way, as the former Vistula Road, traces its origins prior to European settlement of
the region. The route improved over time as the main transportation corridor between the
county’s largest cities, South Bend and Mishawaka, and then in 1913, it became part of the
network of coast-to-coast roads designated the Lincoln Highway. The route was adopted into the
state’s highway system in 1919. This creates the north boundary and general feel of the district.
In 1851, the New York Central Railroad established tracks following Vistula Avenue some
distance south of the route. This cut off a long strip of land that had been part of the Samuel &
Mary Leer farm, established in 1835, between the river/road and tracks. Benjamin Leer inherited
much of his father’s farm property and laid out Leer’s Survey between 1886 and 1888. His son,
Delmar, continued to develop lots after his father died in 1893. The land became increasingly
valuable for development over farming as Vistula Road was improved during the 1890s,
receiving a streetcar line connecting South Bend with Mishawaka in 1895. After that
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improvement, lots along Vistula sold in earnest. Delmar Leer made small additions in 1907 and
the last in 1923, titled D. C. Leer’s Subdivision, on the east side of Leer Street (photo 13). Two
more small plats were made by others at the east end of the district in the early1900s: Kinzie &
Good (each side of Ottawa Court, photo 16) and Rupel’s Addition (west side of Vernon Street,
east edge of the district, photo 17).
In the late 1920s, a project to elevate railroad tracks and combine rail lines in the city resulted in
development of the Grand Trunk Railroad and overpass for Lincoln Way. This essentially cut off
the residential neighborhood lining Vistula from more commercial development to the northwest,
hence forming the west edge of the district. What remained in the west end of the district,
flanking Miami Street, was bounded by both railroads and Lincoln Way (photos 18-20). Miami
Street itself was an old route, originally known as Turkey Creek Road, that led from farms in the
south part of St. Joseph County. Miami also formed the east boundary of the former M. L.
Wenger farm. Like Leers, Wenger & Kreighbaum platted this small area cut off by the railroad
by about 1895. It included “Kreighbaum Park” along Wenger Creek which was all but covered
(the park) with the construction of the Grand Trunk. Commercial enterprises were later
established at the intersection of Miami and Lincoln Way, though it retains its mostly residential
feel. A gas station was built on the southeast corner of Lincoln Way and Miami Street about
1945 (left side of photo 18).
From Native American Pathway to Lincoln Way
Vistula Road, which became Lincoln Way East in 1913, was an important route between South
Bend and Mishawaka and further east to Elkhart that generally followed the south bank of the
Saint Joseph River. The route followed an old “Indian trail” as it meandered along the south
bank of the river. It was surveyed about 1830, making it one of the oldest routes in St. Joseph
County, though these early survey records were lost. It was surveyed again in 1873 as the city
began to expand to the east along the upper part of Vistula, nearer the city center.5 The Bowman
Creek, then referred to as Wenger Creek just west of the district, created a fairly large ravine as
the creek emptied into the St. Joseph River from its south bank. At least earlier on, travelers on
Vistula Road probably crossed further upstream where the ravine would be shallower. However,
by 1863, the road appears to cross the creek in about its current location.
In 1830, or shortly after, the creek was dammed in this area by Samuel Studybaker (correct
spelling; distant relative of the Studebaker family) for the purpose of waterpower for a sawmill.
Studybaker was the original owner of a 150-acre farm that was bordered by Miami Street (then
called Turkey Creek Road) on the east, Sample Street on the north, and the river in its northeast
corner. M. L. Wenger purchased the farm after Studybaker’s death and owned the property
during reconstruction of Vistula in 1895. The 1863 map of St. Joseph County shows the 150-acre
tract owned by Wenger with large farm parcels to the south and southwest through which the
creek flowed owned by D. Bowman and J. L. Bowman, between which is H. Studebaker.6 It
5 “Track Still Goes On” South Bend Tribune, 9 Sept 1895. Pg. 5. Col. 2
6 Map of St. Joseph County (IN). M. W. Stokes. Printed by Chas. Shober, Philadelphia: 1863.
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appears to have had a bridge at this location by this time. The county’s need to replace the
Vistula Avenue bridge over Wenger Creek was spurred on by improvements needed on Vistula
to keep up with residential development, but also due to a new method of transportation
connecting South Bend and Mishawaka.
The General Power & Quick Transit Company incorporated on April 3, 1894, with the express
purpose of building an electric streetcar line between South Bend and Mishawaka, using Vistula
Road on the south side of the St. Joseph River and on Mishawaka Avenue on the north side of
the river. The project called for “independent bridges…erected at Bowman’s (Wenger) Creek,
Springbrook, and Lang’s glen.”7 It was expected that with the construction of the trolley line, the
river would become a more desirable location for residences. The road enjoyed prominence as a
main route into the city and it soon began to be lined with middle-class houses from the mid-
1890s into the early decades of the 20th century.
Along with construction of the bridge and streetcar line, the general grade along Vistula was to
be lowered east of the bridge and raised at the bridge and the overall cost was anticipated to be
$12,000.8 By the end of July 1895, a new stone bridge was complete and only grading needed to
be completed. The city of South Bend paid half, and the other half was paid by property owners
along the stretch of Vistula needing graded to the structure. The physical appearance of the
bridge and newly graded street provided “indications that residents of Vistula Avenue will have
one of the prettiest streets in the city when the work is completed.”9 Sentiment about the work on
the culvert and grading along Vistula remained positive through 1895, as tracks were being laid
for the streetcar line and the broad, level roadbed offered beautiful views of the St. Joseph River
by those using the road and for houses being constructed on the south side of Vistula.10 The route
was projected to be a charming ride from South Bend to Mishawaka with the river on one side
and valleys and hills on the other which could not “be excelled for picturesque anywhere.”11
In 1913, Vistula Road became part of the network of routes strung together and designated the
Lincoln Highway. Not only was this an important development for the city of South Bend
connecting it to the entire country, but housing and commercial growth also continued to expand
along the former pioneer route. From that time to now, the route has been known as Lincoln Way
East. The Lincoln Highway was the nation’s first established coast-to-coast highway providing
travelers a route from New York to California through Northern Indiana. The road, established in
1913, began in New York’s Times Square and terminated at the Palace of the Legion of Honor in
San Francisco. The highway played an important role in the development of the automobile’s
influence on the way of life in 20th Century America 12 representing a shift from railroad
dominated travel to automobile use.
7 “A South Side Line” South Bend Tribune. 4 April 1894. Pg. 4. Col. 2
8 “Wenger Creek Bridge” South Bend Tribune. 08 Feb 1895. Pg. 4. Col. 2
9 “The Wenger Culvert Fill” South Bend Tribune. 01 Aug 1895. Pg. 5. Col. 3
10 “Making a Fine Road” South Bend Tribune. 20 Aug 1895. Pg. 5. Cols. 1-2
11 “Track Still Goes On” South Bend Tribune. 9 Sept 1895. Pg. 5. Cols. 2-3
12 US Dept. of the Interior, Lincoln Highway Special Resource Study
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Lincoln Way East Historic District St. Joseph County, IN
Name of Property County and State
Sections 9-end page 25
In 1928, the state created a more direct route for the Lincoln Highway between Fort Wayne and
Valparaiso. This southern alignment became U. S. Highway 30, however, the old alignment
continued to serve its purpose of connecting major cities across north-central Indiana. Lincoln
Way was adopted as part of Indiana’s original highway transportation network in 1919 and
carried the designation of Highway 2. By the 1930s, it was designated Highway 33 and U. S.
Highway 20 was routed on the north side of the river between South Bend and Elkhart.
Construction of the U. S. 20 Bypass around the south side of South Bend and Mishawaka to
Elkhart, which opened in 1998, provided a route around the cities entirely. In more modern
times, Lincoln Way East was designated State Route 933. Despite the bypass, the old Vistula-
Lincoln Way route remains the most important link between the downtown commercial centers
of St. Joseph County’s largest cities, South Bend and Mishawaka (photos 01, 12-13).
Developmental History/Additional historic context information
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Lincoln Way East Historic District St. Joseph County, IN
Name of Property County and State
Sections 9-end page 26
______________________________________________________________________________
9. Major Bibliographical References
Bibliography (Cite the books, articles, and other sources used in preparing this form.)
“A South Side Line” South Bend Tribune. 4 April 1894. Pg. 4. Col. 2
“Beauties of Mother Nature Fade Before Maiden’s Eyes” Detroit Free Press. 16 Aug 1908. Pg.
8, col. 4-5
City of South Bend Historic Sites and Structures Inventory. South Bend Historic Preservation
Commission, 2005.
“Delmar C. Leer, Realtor, Dies” South Bend Tribune. 11 June 1941. Pg. 23, col. 6
“D. S. Ellison Dies Upstate” Indianapolis News. 29 March 1949. Pg. 25, col. 6
“E. W. Young Dies in Home” South Bend Tribune. 31 Jan 1959. Pg. 9, col. 5
Lincoln Highway Special Resource Study/Environmental Assessment, United States Department
of the Interior. National Park Service, publisher. May 2004.
“Making a Fine Road” South Bend Tribune. 20 Aug 1895. Pg. 5. Cols. 1-2
Map of St. Joseph County (IN). M. W. Stokes. Printed by Chas. Shober, Philadelphia: 1863.
McAlester, Virginia. A Field Guide to American Houses. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2006.
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps (South Bend, IN): 1899, 1917, 1917-1949 Vol. I and II
South Bend City Directories: 1904, 1906. South Bend Directory Company, South Bend (IN)
South Bend City Directories: 1910, 1914. Hibberd Directory Company, South Bend (IN)
South Bend City Directories: 1919, 1923, 1926, 1929, 1930, 1932. R. L. Polk & Company,
Indianapolis (IN)
South Bend Historic Preservation Commission/City of South Bend website:
https://southbendin.gov/department/community-investment/planning-community-
resources/historic-preservation-commission/local-historic-districts/ accessed August 23, 2024
“The Wenger Culvert Fill” South Bend Tribune. 01 Aug 1895. Pg. 5. Col. 3
“Track Still Goes On” South Bend Tribune, 9 Sept 1895. Pg. 5. Col. 2
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Lincoln Way East Historic District St. Joseph County, IN
Name of Property County and State
Sections 9-end page 27
United States Federal Census Records for St. Joseph County/South Bend (IN): 1910, 1920, 1930
“Wenger Creek Bridge” South Bend Tribune. 08 Feb 1895. Pg. 4. Col. 2
___________________________________________________________________________
Previous documentation on file (NPS):
____ preliminary determination of individual listing (36 CFR 67) has been requested
____ previously listed in the National Register
____ previously determined eligible by the National Register
____ designated a National Historic Landmark
recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey #
____ recorded by Historic American Engineering Record # __________
____ recorded by Historic American Landscape Survey # ___________
Primary location of additional data:
State Historic Preservation Office
____ Other State agency
____ Federal agency
____ Local government
____ University
Other
Name of repository: _____________________________________
Historic Resources Survey Number (if assigned): 201-597-17043-44, 201-597-21001,
201-591-52001-033
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Lincoln Way East Historic District St. Joseph County, IN
Name of Property County and State
Sections 9-end page 28
______________________________________________________________________________
10. Geographical Data
Acreage of Property Approximately 26 acres
Use the UTM system
UTM References
Datum (indicated on USGS map):
NAD 1927 or NAD 1983
1. Zone: Easting: Northing:
2. Zone: Easting: Northing:
3. Zone: Easting: Northing:
4. Zone: Easting : Northing:
Verbal Boundary Description (Describe the boundaries of the property.)
Beginning at the intersection of Miami Street with Lincoln Way East, on the southeast corner
and south curb, face southeast and follow the south side of Lincoln Way East, crossing
Marine and Leer Streets and Ottawa Court, to the east property line of 1412 Lincoln Way
East. Turn south and follow the east property line of 1412 Lincoln Way East to the north
edge of Prinz Court. Turn northwest and follow the north edge of Prinz Court, crossing
Ottawa Court, and Leer and Marine Streets, to the east curb of Miami Street.
At Miami Street, turn north and follow the east curb of Miami Street to a line extended east
from the south property line of 1227 Miami Street. Turn west and follow the south property
line of 1227 Miami Street (crossing Miami Street) to the west property line of 1227 Miami
Street, then turn north and follow the west property lines of 1207, 1217, 1221, 1223, and
1227 Miami Street to the north property line of 1207 Miami Street. Turn west and follow the
north property line of 1207 Miami Street to the east curb of Miami Street (crossing Miami
Street), then turn north and follow the east curb of Miami Street to the south curb of Lincoln
Way East, or the place of beginning.
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Lincoln Way East Historic District St. Joseph County, IN
Name of Property County and State
Sections 9-end page 30
Photographs
Submit clear and descriptive photographs. The size of each image must be 3000x2000 at 300
ppi (pixels per inch) or larger. Key all photographs to the sketch map. Each photograph must
be numbered and that number must correspond to the photograph number on the photo log.
For simplicity, the name of the photographer, photo date, etc. may be listed once on the
photograph log and doesn’t need to be labeled on every photograph.
Photo Log
Name of Property: Lincoln Way East Historic District
City or Vicinity: South Bend
County: St. Joseph State: Indiana
Photographer: Kurt West Garner
Date Photographed: July 8, 2024
Description of Photograph(s) and number, include description of view indicating direction of
camera: Looking east along Lincoln Way from near its intersection with Miami Street
1 of 20.
Description of Photograph(s) and number, include description of view indicating direction of
camera: Looking southeast at 1154 Lincoln Way East
2 of 20.
Description of Photograph(s) and number, include description of view indicating direction of
camera: Looking southwest at 1158 Lincoln Way East
3 of 20.
Description of Photograph(s) and number, include description of view indicating direction of
camera: Looking southeast at 1164 Lincoln Way East
4 of 20.
Description of Photograph(s) and number, include description of view indicating direction of
camera: Looking southeast at 1168 & 172 Lincoln Way East
5 of 20.
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Lincoln Way East Historic District St. Joseph County, IN
Name of Property County and State
Sections 9-end page 31
Description of Photograph(s) and number, include description of view indicating direction of
camera: Looking southeast at 1202 Lincoln Way East
6 of 20.
Description of Photograph(s) and number, include description of view indicating direction of
camera: Looking southwest at 1212 & 1208 Lincoln Way East
7 of 20.
Description of Photograph(s) and number, include description of view indicating direction of
camera: Looking southeast at 1222 Lincoln Way East
8 of 20.
Description of Photograph(s) and number, include description of view indicating direction of
camera: Looking southwest at 1224 Lincoln Way East
9 of 20.
Description of Photograph(s) and number, include description of view indicating direction of
camera: Looking south at 1228 Lincoln Way East
10 of 20.
Description of Photograph(s) and number, include description of view indicating direction of
camera: Looking southeast at 1232 & 1236 Lincoln Way East
11 of 20.
Description of Photograph(s) and number, include description of view indicating direction of
camera: Looking west along Lincoln Way East from the 1200 block.
12 of 20.
Description of Photograph(s) and number, include description of view indicating direction of
camera: Looking east along Lincoln Way East from Leer Street
13 of 20.
Description of Photograph(s) and number, include description of view indicating direction of
camera: Looking west at the 1300 block of Lincoln Way East
14 of 20.
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Lincoln Way East Historic District St. Joseph County, IN
Name of Property County and State
Sections 9-end page 32
Description of Photograph(s) and number, include description of view indicating direction of
camera: Looking southeast at 1330 & 1334 Lincoln Way East
15 of 20.
Description of Photograph(s) and number, include description of view indicating direction of
camera: Looking southeast at 1352 Lincoln Way East from Ottawa Court
16 of 20.
Description of Photograph(s) and number, include description of view indicating direction of
camera: Looking southeast at 1412 Lincoln Way East
17 of 20.
Description of Photograph(s) and number, include description of view indicating direction of
camera: Looking south on the east side of Miami Street from Lincoln Way East
18 of 20.
Description of Photograph(s) and number, include description of view indicating direction of
camera: Looking southwest at the 1200 block of Miami Street from Lincoln Way East
19 of 20.
Description of Photograph(s) and number, include description of view indicating direction of
camera: Looking northwest at the 1200 block of Miami Street
20 of 20.
Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: This information is being collected for applications to the National Register of Historic
Places to nominate properties for listing or determine eligibility for listing, to list properties, and to amend existing listings. Response
to this request is required to obtain a benefit in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended (16 U.S.C.460
et seq.).
Estimated Burden Statement: Public reporting burden for this form is estimated to average 100 hours per response including
time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining data, and completing and reviewing the form. Direct comments regarding
this burden estimate or any aspect of this form to the Office of Planning and Performance Management. U.S. Dept. of the Interior,
1849 C. Street, NW, Washington, DC.