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C] r� U • (6-M N" ram 104=4 United States Department of the Interior Natlonal Park Service oue AAvvaf Na 1014.W 18 National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet E 9 East Bank Multiple Property Listing Section number Page St. Joseph County, Indiana much of the land south of the Grand Trunk Railroad, part of which was platted by Samuel Parry and which still contains an example of early vernacular architecture. Another small section to the north was also added in 1871, to complete the present configuration. " East Bank in its Prime With the advent of incorporation into the City of South Bend, the East Bank began to enjoy the benefits of added infrastructure and services. While the central industrial core remained, nearest to the river, with intermittent commercial development nearby, small neighborhoods arose around the perimeter. In addition, as the century came to a close, sections in the uplands to the north and east of the river saw upper class homes, even mansions being constructed, several by noted local architects. All of this was the result of South Bend's increasing industrial power. The money that fueled the manufactories also built homes and developed parklands. Infrastructure While the St. Joseph River provided early transportation and water power, for many years it was also a barrier to communications between east and west bank populations. A ferry was licensed on the river, at what is now LaSalle Street, as early as 1831, when Nehemiah B. Griffith was authorized to operate a boat, which by decree, was required to carry one team and wagon. 24 on busy days, the waiting line must have been long. By the 1850s, bridge building across the river had occurred, but difficulties plagued the efforts. A covered wooden bridge was constructed by the county (now responsible for bridge building) on the LaSalle Street crossing, but its roof and eastern half were devastated by the town's only tornado, which came, through in 1865. A few years later, a more substantial iron suspension, or chain bridge was erected at the LaSalle crossing. Unfortunately a haphazard workman one day drove a pin out of the east end, sending the whole structure into the river. A more substantial truss bridge was erected in its place. Many of the next bridges to be built connecting the east and west banks, including one on Colfax Avenue, were constructed with great iron girders resting on massive stone piers. This was more successful, but the vagaries of winter weather could still wreak " Bartholomew, p. 10. 24 Howard, p. 233.