Local History

TRAVIS CHILDS – ST. JOSEPH COUNTY HISTORIAN
Travis Childs, The History Museum’s Archivist, is the St. Joseph County Historian, appointed by the Indiana Historical Society and the Indiana Historical Bureau. In this three-year voluntary role, Travis serves as a liaison between statewide agencies and local organizations, joining with dozens of men and women across the state also serving in the County Historian Program. Questions? Contact Travis at The History Museum (574-235-9664, ext. 6266) or

The Area's Early History

Our area of the state just prior to the arrival of Europeans.

The First Settlers

Fur trappers and traders who settled in St. Joseph County.

The Trail of Death

The mandatory removal of Native Americans from northern Indiana.

Early South Bend

The start of an industrial Midwestern city.

St. Joseph County Facts

Quick facts and figures about our county.

South Bend Firsts

A list of the historic ‘firsts’ that took place in South Bend.

South Bend City Directories

The old city directories tell the story of South Bend.

List of South Bend Mayors

A list of South Bend Mayors since 1865.

South Bend Fire Department

The history of our community’s brave fire department

South Bend Police Department

The history of South Bend’s police department.

Local African American History

The history of African American settlement in our community.

History of Mishawaka, Indiana

The founding and history of South Bend’s neighboring city.

History of Osceola, Indiana

History of another town within the confines of St. Joseph County.

South Bend's Lost Landmarks

Historic buildings that use to stand in South Bend.

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