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` NPI Form 104=4 1024-WIS (6-" United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet E 3 East Bank Multiple Property Listing Section number Page St. Joseph County, Indiana beautiful site for a town., ` It is probably no surprise that .the new route would meander through this generously endowed area where Navarre and Coquillard, two energetic early entrepreneurs had already established trading ventures along the river's high banks. Coquillard, a man of great enterprise and dedication, would be called the founder of South Bend. The influence which he exerted on its development was enormous. The East Bank area would be touched by him and by his descendants for.many years to come. 5 With the potential of river power and ties to overland transportation, the infant South Bend was set to emerge. South Bend Takes Root In 1823, the land upon which Navarre and Coquillard had settled was still part of the holdings of the native American tribes. 6 Pressures for settlement had resulted in additional treaties. But eventually, most of the native peoples were removed by government edict to lands west of the Mississippi River. By 1827, Lathrop Taylor had joined • Navarre and Coquillard. Soon the two later arrivals would jointly own all of the'land upon which the original town of South Bend was platted. ' In 1830, St. Joseph County was organized by an act of the Indiana Legislature, and government lands in the area were available. In March of 1831, Alexis Coquillard and Lathrop Taylor recorded their plat for the town of South Bend. The configuration of this original plat, all on the west bank of the river, was roughly a polygon, with its irregular right edge formed by the St. Joseph. Lots were one quarter acre each and a goodly number were set aside for the use of the County, although the County Seat was not initially located here. Within a few months of the registration of the plat, this was accomplished. As was usual in such cases, lots were donated to the Town of South Bend for educational purposes. Less commonly, lots were ` Howard, p. 155-157. 'City of South Bend Summary Report, Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Survey, Indianapolis: DNR/ Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology, 1993, p. 31. 6 Howard, P. 155 • 7 City of South Bend Summary Report, p. 29, 31.