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Photograph of Wertz-Bestle Farm
Photograph by Nyttend, Public domain. Via Wikimedia Commons.

Wertz-Bestle Farm

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.

From the record

“Wertz-Bestle Farm is a historic home and farm located in German Township, St. The house was built about 1872, and is a two-story, "T"-plan, Italianate style brick dwelling with a kitchen wing.”

Wikipedia article Wertz-Bestle Farm, CC BY-SA 4.0.

One of 101 National Register listings published here for St. Joseph County · listed in 2001 · category: Building.

Sources: the Wikipedia article · the case file at the National Archives · the National Register database, National Park Service

The listing

  • Listed as. Wertz--Bestle Farm - the National Register files a house under its owner's surname.
  • Address. 51387 Portage Rd., South Bend, 46628
  • When was it listed? April 2001
  • Category. building
  • Township. German township
  • National Register reference number. 01000356 - the number the National Park Service assigned this property when it was listed, and the key its nomination file is catalogued under at the National Archives.

Fires near this property

10 since 2018

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 10 fires within 5 miles of Wertz-Bestle Farm between 2018 and 2020, burning about 12 acres in total. None started naturally. None was recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Reported cause Fires
Equipment and vehicle use5
Missing data/not specified/undetermined4
Debris and open burning1

The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
17 May 2018Equipment and vehicle use1.0 acresMichigan Department of Natural ResourcesNILES TOWNSHIP FD 2018156 - 2018
13 May 2020Missing data/not specified/undetermined1.0 acresMichigan Department of Natural ResourcesBERTRAND TOWNSHIP FD 2020027 - 2020
1 May 2018Equipment and vehicle use1.0 acresMichigan Department of Natural ResourcesNILES TOWNSHIP FD 2018132 - 2018
9 April 2019Missing data/not specified/undetermined1.0 acresMichigan Department of Natural ResourcesNILES FD 2190310 - 2019
2 April 2019Equipment and vehicle use3.0 acresMichigan Department of Natural ResourcesBERTRAND TOWNSHIP FD 2019028 - 2019
19 April 2019Missing data/not specified/undetermined1.0 acresMichigan Department of Natural ResourcesBERTRAND TOWNSHIP FD 2019030 - 2019
27 March 2019Missing data/not specified/undetermined1.0 acresMichigan Department of Natural ResourcesNILES TOWNSHIP FD 2019095 - 2019
25 March 2018Equipment and vehicle use1.0 acresMichigan Department of Natural ResourcesNILES TOWNSHIP FD 2018090 - 2018

Mines and quarries near this property

2 within 5 miles

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 2 workings within 5 miles of Wertz-Bestle Farm: 1 producer, 1 plant. All of them still produce. What was taken out: Sand and Gravel, Construction. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
South Bend Sand & Gravel MillSand and Gravel, ConstructionPlant
South Bend Sand and Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer

Every working recorded in St. Joseph County

Storms near this property

60 of 146 shown

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names South Bend, the town this property stands in, in 146 storm reports between 1994 and 2025: 93 thunderstorm wind, 43 hail, 3 flash flood, 3 lightning. The reports record 1 death and 4 injuries. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
September 2016FloodSouth Bend1 killedStreet and some basement flooding reported in South Bend. A 53 year old female was electrocuted by flood waters that had entered her basement. She stepped into water of unknown depth and was electrocuted by a box fan that was plugged in and sitting in the water. First responders could not reach her immediately until the scene was safe. They were able to revive her, but she died a few days later with cause of death being electrocution.
June 2010Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend2 hurtA tree fell down on house at 600 block of 28th St and 2 people were injured.
July 1998Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend1 hurt, $500,000SEVERAL REPORTS OF HIGH WINDS AND WIND DAMAGE. ONE WOMAN WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED WHEN A LARGE TREE FELL ON HER CAR.
May 2006LightningSouth Bend1 hurt, $30,000A woman, in the basement of her home, was indirectly struck by lightning while standing next to her dryer. She was transported to the hospital, suffering minor injuries. The time of the incident has been esitmated. In Mishawaka, a fire was started from a bolt of lightning striking a detatched garage, destroying it. Damage was estimated at $30,000. The time of this fire was not available.
November 2003LightningSouth Bend$250,000South Bend Fire Chief reported lightning struck a 16 unit apartment building in the Park Jefferson complex setting it on fire and destroying it.
August 1998Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend$150,000THE DOORS WERE BLOWN OFF A SQUAD CAR. NUMEROUS TREES AND POWER LINES WERE DOWN ACROSS TOWN AND ESPECIALLY ACROSS THE EASTERN THIRD OF THE COUNTY. ONE TREE FELL ONTO A HOME ALONG AUTEN ROAD WHICH CAUSED MODERATE STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE HOME.
August 2007LightningSouth Bend$120,000Two (2) separate bolts of lightning struck 2 South Bend residences during the morning hours. A house was struck, causing a fire that destroyed the top floor. The 2 occupants of the house were able to escape without injury. Damage is estimated at $80,000. Lightning struck an apartment, causing significant damage to a kitchen and two bathrooms. A woman and her 4 sons were able to escape unharmed. Damage is estimated at $40,000.
July 2006Heavy RainSouth Bend$100,000A 100 foot by 30 foot section of a flat roof at the AJ Wright Factory collapsed as a result of torrential rainfall. The building was unoccupied at the time. Work was suspended that day as a result of the damages. In addition, heavy rain flooded the Steel Warehouse, where a tank used to store hydrochloric acid was knocked loose. The tank was nearly empty with no leakage of any of the contents occurring.
August 1998Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend$50,000SEVERAL POWER POLES SNAPPED OFF BY HIGH WINDS.
May 2024Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend$20,000Large trees uprooted or downed. Healthy branches of 6 to 12 inches in diameter. One tree snapped, landing on a vehicle.
May 2007Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend$20,000Numerous trees, tree limbs, power lines and poles were blown down in and around the South Bend/Mishawaka area. A spire from the basilica on the Notre Dame campus was knocked off.
July 2004Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend$20,000Semi traveling eastbound was blown off Interstate 80/90 Toll Road and flipped over at Mile Marker 70. Damage amount estimated.
August 2024Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend$10,000Numerous trees and branches down in and around South Bend.
May 2011Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend$10,000Law enforcement officials reported several trees down in and around South Bend and Mishawaka. One of the trees fell onto a car.
May 2000Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend$10,000Trees down on homes. Power lines down.
June 2025Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend$5,000Minor damage to siding to a home on the south side of South Bend.
June 2024Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend$5,000Numerous reports of trees and power lines down in and around South Bend.
June 2024Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend$5,000Tree down on a powerline.
April 2024Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend$5,000The public reported a one foot diameter tree limb was blown down. Several smaller limbs were also blown down. A anchored pool was blown into a nearby fence.
March 2023Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend$5,000A sign was blown over. Photo on Twitter.
March 2023Flash FloodSouth Bend$5,000Flooding was ongoing on Miami St in South Bend with water of 6 to 8 inches deep.
December 2007Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend$5,000The roof was peeled off trailer home. Damage is estimated at $5000.
July 2003Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend$5,000Law enforcement reported roof damage to a home southwest of South Bend.
June 2000Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend$5,000Two trees down on a parked car and a house.
June 1995Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend$5,000Trees and power lines were blown down on the southwest side of South Bend. There were 2,500 to 3,000 people without power.
July 2023HailSouth Bend$2,000no account filed
June 2021Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend$1,500On Madison Street in South Bend. Large tree blocking road that also went through the rear window of a vehicle. Many tree branches also down.
August 2024Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend$1,000Large tree down near Kendall and Shrrill St.
August 2024Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend$1,000Large tree uprooted, nearly landing on a home.
July 2022Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend$1,000A tree down in road on E Dayton Street. Reported via Twitter.
July 2022Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend$1,000A large tree blocking Ridgedale Road. Reported via Twitter.
July 2023HailSouth Bend$1,000no account filed
July 2023HailSouth Bend$1,000no account filed
May 2024Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend-Large tree down on Ewing Street.
July 2023Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend-Local media reported reported numerous three to 5 inch tree limbs down as well a a couple entire trees down with rot in them.
June 2021Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend-Numerous trees and powerlines down across the county, especially in the northeast portions near South Bend/Mishawaka/Osceola. Also near the intersection of Jefferson/Greenlawn.
August 2021FloodSouth Bend-Street/roadway flooding. Reported from MPing.
August 2021HailSouth Bend-Basement flooding also reported.
October 2021Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend-Local media reported a large tree branch was blown down onto a roadway.
May 2020Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend-A trained spotter reported several trees up to three feet in diameter blown down.
September 2019Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend-A trained spotter recorded a 64 mph wind gust.
May 2019Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend-A two foot diameter tree was uprooted and fell onto three cars, crushing them.
May 2018Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend-A trained spotter reported trees uprooted and large branches snapped.
February 2017HailSouth Bend-Local media reported dime size hail at Indiana University South Bend campus.
March 2016Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend-Broadcast media reported a trees was blown down onto power lines. A set of bleachers at a nearby sports field was also blown over.
March 2016Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend-The public reported trees limbs and trees down on the 900 block of Napier.
October 2016Tornado (EF0)South Bend-It was concluded that a second weak EF-0 tornado occurred on the south side of South Bend in the Belmont Avenue vicinity. A small area of tornadic wind damage was found centered in the Belmont Avenue/Sunnyside Avenue vicinity. Some convergence of the tree damage was noted in this area indicative of tornadic winds. Large tree limbs were tilted with several large limbs downed. A large tree limb fell on a shed and lifted it up on its side. This tornado was embedded within a larger area of wind damage associated with microburst. The larger area of straight line wind damage extended from Northside Blvd just north of Beyer Avenue, to Longfellow Road just west of Twyckenham Drive. Tree damage and some damage to shingles at a residence were noted along this larger damage path associated with the microburst.
June 2016Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend-Local media reports trees and power lines down on Catalpa Street.
June 2016Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend-Local media reports a tree down onto a residence.
June 2016Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend-South Bend Fire reported several trees down in the city, with some blocking roads.
August 2014Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend-Local media reported trees and power lines down in the Cleveland Road area.
June 2014Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend-Amateur radio operators reported several trees blown down along Greenlawn Road near the zoo.
June 2014Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend-A trained spotter reported tree limbs down at a residence. One landed on a vehicle. No damage estimates were available.
June 2014Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend-Law enforcement officials reported trees and power lines down on the west side of South Bend, especially in the Edison Road area.
June 2014Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend-A swath of damage was surveyed along Jefferson Boulevard from the St. Joseph River east to just south of Bethel College. Many trees were uprooted along this path, consistent with straight line winds estimated to 80 mph.
August 2013Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend-Wind gust estimated by local media.
May 2013Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend-A trained spotter reported multiple power poles were snapped in the middle. In addition, several trees were uprooted.
November 2013Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend-A trained spotter reported a 16 inch tree down onto an car.
November 2013Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend-A trained spotter measure a 66 mph wind gust near the South Bend airport.
November 2013Thunderstorm WindSouth Bend-A trained spotter reported a tree was uprooted and fell onto a house on the south side of the 4-H fairgrounds.

Every storm recorded in St. Joseph County

Map coverage status

No historic map-sheet match is published for this property yet. That does not mean no map exists. This record needs a coordinate-quality review before it can be joined to a sheet boundary. Browse the county's mapped places while that work is pending.

Listed places nearby

6 within 8 miles

Other National Register properties close enough to walk or drive between, ordered by distance from this one. Both positions come from the same geocoding pass that matched these properties to their map sheets.

Photograph PropertyDistance Listed
St. Patrick's Farm1.9 miles2013
Water Street/Darden Road Bridge2.0 miles1985
St. Joseph County Infirmary2.1 miles2000
Marquette School3.2 miles2013
Muessel-Drewry's Brewery4.0 miles2000
University of Notre Dame: Main and South Quadrangles4.3 miles1978

Sources for this property

National Archives recordThe nomination case file for reference 01000356 in Record Group 79.
Wikipedia articleCommunity-written account of this property, licensed CC BY-SA.
St. Joseph CountyAll 101 listed properties in this county.

Provenance

  • Listing record. National Park Service National Register of Historic Places, listed-properties dataset, current to 2026-05-22.
  • Map join. Address geocoded through the United States Census geocoder, then tested against the published boundary of every sheet in the USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection.
  • How this page is made. Listing fields come from federal records; map-sheet coverage is a labelled coordinate-to-boundary calculation, not a source-field claim.
  • Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
  • Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
  • Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.