February 1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

NATIONAL REGISTER NOMINATION STAFF REPORT • PROPERTY -- Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company Building 30-30A 637 South Lafayette Street South Bend, Indiana OWNER -- Ivy Tower Corp. P.O. Box 395 South Bend, IN 46624 STANDARDS The nomination proposes placement of this building on the National Register of Historic Places based on Criterion A: Event. National Register Bulletin 15 - How to Apply the National Register Criteria for Evaluation provides that "Properties can be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places if they are associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of history." It goes on to state "Criterion A recognizes properties associated with ... a pattern of events, repeated activities or historical trends .... The events or trends ... must clearly be important within the associated context...." RECOMMENDATION 3Q The Staff of the HPC recommends in favor of th o enation of Building.�t<of "s o IuA Avc11uC,' South Bend, Indiana to the National Register of Historic Places. The building meets Criterion A as representative of the development of industrial production in South Bend during the period of rapid industrial expansion following the Civil War in the late Nineteenth Century. As described in the Statement of Significance section of the nomination, the building is the only remaining structure in South Bend associated exclusively with the Studebaker Wagon Works prior to the commencement of the automobile industry to which Studebaker became dedicated. During this period, Studebaker was the largest employer in South Bend and was world renowned for their products. Although not stated on the application, Staff also finds Criterion C to apply. Bulletin 15 states that "Properties may be eligible for the National Register if they embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction...." These characteristics are further described as "The pattern of features common to a particular category of resources." Though the building under consideration is humble in origin and use, its physical characteristics are typical. of utilitarian industrial buildings of its period. The building has experienced some alterations which effect its integrity. Yet its original character is clearly discernible. It is the opinion of HPC Staff that this building meets the criteria for eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places. Staff recommends that the commission send a favorable ruling to the Mayor of South Bend and to the State Historic Preservation Office. • DBD Director 2/2/96