BlockFrom the record
One of 101 National Register listings published here for St. Joseph County · listed in 2022 · category: Building.
Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service
St. Joseph's Parish Square
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2022.
The listing
- What is counted as historic. The nomination lists 4 buildingss, 1 object as contributing to the listing.
- Address. Bounded by West 3rd, West 4th, South Mill, and South Spring Sts., Mishawaka
- When was it listed? June 2022
- Category. building
- Township. Portage township
- National Register reference number. 100007740 - assigned by the National Park Service when the property was listed.
The ground it stands on
17,994 wordsThe chapter on Portage Township in History of St. Joseph County, Indiana :, published 1880 names Mishawaka. This is what it says, exactly as the scans read.
" John S. McClelland settled here in the latter part of 1831. He shortly afterward opened a store. He was a quiet kind of a man; did not talk much, but was enterprising and regarded as a man of good practical sense. At one time he was part owner and principal manager of what was called tiie new furnace at Mishawaka. In 1838, in connection with Joim Brownfield, he undertook to build glass works in South Bend. The buildings were erected out in the woods, about thirty or forty rods from where St. Patrick's church now stands. After the buildings were all ready for occupancy, the man who was to be their manufacturer of glass whimsically left them. The hard times and Mr. McClelland's death, soon afterward, put an end to the enterprise. It was said then, and I have no doubt it is true, that we have an abundance of the best quality of sand for making glass.
Passage source: History of St. Joseph County, Indiana :, published 1880.
" Samuel Studebaker ought not to be forgotten. He was no relation to the present family' that I know of, but he had a good deal of their enterprise in him. He came here prior to 1831, and the first I knew of him he was residing on a farm now occupied by Mr. Wenger. He built one of the first saw-mills in the county. It was situated at the mouth of Bowman's creek, on the St. Joseph river. I think John Wedner got his mill at the mouth of Ullery creek before Studebaker. Along in 1835 or 1836 he got up a twoand-a-half story mill-house about a mile this side of Mishawaka, on the river bank, intending it for a grist-mill. He expected to get his power from the collection of the waters of the big marsh back of Mishawaka into a race carrying it to his mill, but he died before he got anything more done to it, and the mill-house was allowed to rot down. He was among the first to build in South Bend. He put up a house on the northwest corner of Michigan and Jefferson streets, before the county-seat was located here. He was a hardworking, plain and sensible man, and a very worthy citizen.
Passage source: History of St. Joseph County, Indiana :, published 1880.
Machine-read from a century-old scan, so expect the errors a machine makes: misspelled names, dropped words, stray characters.
Read the whole chapter on Portage Township - 17,994 words on its settlement, mills, schools and churches.
Mines and quarries near this property
10 within 5 milesRegional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 10 workings within 5 miles of St. Joseph's Parish Square: 8 producers, 1 past producer, 1 plant. 9 still produce. What was taken out: Sand and Gravel, Construction, Stone. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.
| Where | Site | Commodity | Status | Recorded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Bend S & G Corp. | Stone | Producer | ||
| Albert Rupple Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer | ||
| Bendix Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Producer | ||
| Dry Island Pit and Mill | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Producer | ||
| South Bend Sand & Gravel Mill | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Plant | ||
| South Bend Sand and Gravel Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Producer | ||
| St. Joseph Co. Hwy. Dept. | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Producer | ||
| St. Joseph Materials Co. | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Producer | ||
| St. Joseph Materials Co., Inc. | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Producer | ||
| Steenburg Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Producer |
Storms near this property
60 of 82 shownRegional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Mishawaka, the town this property stands in, in 82 storm reports between 1994 and 2025: 54 thunderstorm wind, 21 hail, 4 lightning, 2 tornado. The reports record 3 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.
| When | Event | Place named | Harm | What the report says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2001 | Lightning | Mishawaka | 2 hurt | Two men were struck by lightning while working on a car in Mishawaka. |
| August 2001 | Lightning | Mishawaka | 1 hurt | A Mishawaka man was indirectly hit by lightning while sitting on a vinyl chair on his apartment balcony. Lightning apparently hit a gutter on an overhang above him. |
| October 2001 | Tornado (F2) | Mishawaka | $1,300,000 | no account filed |
| October 2006 | Lightning | Mishawaka | $750,000 | A fire, started by lightning, destroyed a Methodist church in Mishawaka. Several hours passed before the fire could be brought under control. Those inside the church at the time of the strike were able to escape without injury. Damage is estimated at $750,000. |
| August 2024 | Lightning | Mishawaka | $225,000 | Lightning strike at Autumn Lakes Apartments resulting in a large fire. 22 apartment units were damaged. No known injuries. |
| March 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | $50,000 | Numerous tree damage reports from Mishawaka. There is roof damage and significant shingle loss from a building at Smith and 8th. There are trees down blocking EB Mishawaka and Liberty Rd. |
| June 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | $20,000 | Trees and powerlines down on a house. |
| March 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | $15,000 | Large pine tree uprooted and down onto a small residential structure. |
| May 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | $10,000 | Large tree branches down on a car. Estimated 60 mph winds. |
| July 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | $10,000 | Loss of siding to a home in Mishawaka. Photo on Facebook. |
| August 2022 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | $10,000 | Trees were downed and blocking the road. |
| July 2007 | Flash Flood | Mishawaka | $10,000 | Several roads in the city of Mishawaka were flooded and temporarily closed by flowing water, including Hickory road. |
| August 2003 | Tornado (F1) | Mishawaka | $10,000 | Some evidence was found of a brief touchdown near the intersection of Logan Street and Dragoon Trail in Mishawaka. Damage in the area was consistent with F1 intensity. |
| June 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | $5,000 | Numerous trees down in Mishawaka. |
| July 2023 | Hail | Mishawaka | $5,000 | Photo on Facebook shows several 2 inch hailstones. |
| July 2023 | Hail | Mishawaka | $5,000 | A two inch hail stone was measured near Marion High School. |
| July 1994 | Hail | Mishawaka | $5,000 | Sixty mph winds downed trees and power lines. |
| July 1994 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | $5,000 | Sixty mph winds downed trees and power lines. |
| August 2021 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | $3,000 | Trees down on active power line. |
| July 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | $1,000 | Tree uprooted on east 11th street. |
| July 2023 | Hail | Mishawaka | $1,000 | Hail reported ranging from quarters to golf balls. |
| July 2023 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | $1,000 | Tree down bloacking roadway. Time estimated by radar. |
| July 2023 | Hail | Mishawaka | $1,000 | no account filed |
| June 2021 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | - | Multiple reports of power lines down in Mishawaka as well as Liberty, Greene, Penn and Clay Townships. |
| June 2021 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | - | Local fire departments reported multiple power lines down in Mishawaka as well as Liberty, Greene, Penn and Clay townships. Exact causes unknown, but likely due to down tree limbs. |
| June 2021 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | - | A few large, healthy tree limbs down on Whitehall Dr. |
| August 2021 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | - | The media reports one large tree limb down and estimated the wind to be 60 mph. |
| August 2021 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | - | Small hail was observed, along with the wind gust of 52 knots. |
| May 2020 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | - | The public reported through Twitter that a tree was blown down across the road at Grove Street and West Benton Street. |
| May 2020 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | - | A trained spotter recorded a 60 mph wind gust. |
| May 2019 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | - | Trees and power lines were blown down across the east side of Mishawaka along US 331 and Bremen Highway. |
| September 2018 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | - | Local media reported trees were blown down or uprooted in River Park. |
| September 2018 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | - | Local media reported part of a tree was blown down onto a residence in the 800 block of 27th Street. |
| September 2018 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | - | Local media reported part of a tree was blown down into a fence and vehicle. |
| August 2018 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | - | Local law enforcement reported a large tree was blown down, blocking Filbert Rd between Day Rd and McKinley Highway. |
| May 2018 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | - | Law enforcement officials reported power lines down in the city from the wind and falling trees. |
| March 2017 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | - | The public reported wind gusts estimated to 60 mph. |
| June 2016 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | - | A trained spotter reported a large tree was blown down. |
| June 2016 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | - | The public reported via Facebook of several trees and tree limbs down in Mishawaka. |
| June 2014 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | - | A trained spotter reported several trees down. |
| June 2014 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | - | Law enforcement officials reported numerous trees and utility lines down across much of the eastern half of the county. |
| May 2013 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | - | A trained spotter reported a portion of a large tree was snapped near the base of the tree along North Main Street. |
| June 2013 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | - | The broadcast media measured a 58 mph wind gust at Old Reverewood in Mishawaka. |
| November 2013 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | - | A measured wind gust of 67 mph was reported by the public. |
| November 2013 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | - | Emergency management officials reported eight inch pine trees down on the east side of Marion High School. |
| August 2012 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | - | An off duty NWS employee estimated a wind gust to 60 mph. |
| June 2012 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | - | A trained spotter reported a large tree was blown over onto the top of a car, blocking the street. No reports of injuries were noted. |
| July 2012 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | - | The public reported a vehicle hit a tree limb that had fallen onto the road at US 331 and Kern Rd. Power lines were also reported down in the area. |
| May 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | - | Local media reported large trees down onto Lincolnway East, blocking portions of the road. |
| July 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | - | Trained spotters reported a few trees as well as several tree limbs down throughout the city. |
| June 2010 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | - | Trained spotter measured 84 mph gusts. Large tree branches were downed and lawn furniture was blown around. |
| June 2008 | Hail | Mishawaka | - | Numerous phone calls into local television stations reported hail up to the size of silver dollars. |
| June 2008 | Hail | Mishawaka | - | Numerous public reports of hail ranging from the size of quarters to golf-balls. |
| July 2004 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | - | Two trees reported knocked down, blocking Capital Street, |
| August 2004 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | - | Law enforcement reported trees down in Mishawaka. |
| August 2004 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | - | Local television reported several very large trees down in Mishawaka with winds estimated between 70 and 80 MPH. |
| August 2002 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | - | Law enforcement reported tress and power lines down in Mishawaka. |
| June 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | - | North side of town. |
| June 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | - | Trees down. |
| May 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mishawaka | - | Power lines down. |
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 milesOther 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 | Property | Distance | Listed |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Martin Wenger Farmhouse | 0.7 miles | 2000 |
 | Old Courthouse (Second St. Joseph County Courthouse) | 0.8 miles | 1970 |
 | South Michigan Street Historic District | 0.8 miles | 1997 |
| Taylor's Field Historic District | 0.8 miles | 2026 | |
 | Federal Building | 0.9 miles | 2015 |
 | Sons of Israel Synagogue | 0.9 miles | 2013 |
Sources for this property
| National Archives record | The nomination case file for reference 100007740 in Record Group 79. |
| St. Joseph County | All 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.
- 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.