Episode 2: Indiana

South Bend almost wasn't Indiana at all. When the Northwest Ordinance drew the territory's northern boundary, the future river bend sat squarely inside Michigan Territory — until an 1816 statehood petition, driven by Indiana's fear of being landlocked, pushed the border ten miles further north and swept the portage in almost as an afterthought.

Part of Series 7: Early South Bend

A Bend in Time is presented by The History Museum in South Bend, Indiana and hosted by Aaron Helman.

This series is presented in conjunction with The History Museum's America250 programming and the exhibit First Peoples, First Settlers: Indiana's Interwoven Roots, which explores the beginnings of settlement in the area and the interactions between European settlers and America's Native peoples. First Peoples, First Settlers is on display until January 31, 2026.

Visit The History Museum's website at historymuseumsb.org

Episode 1: The Portage

Twelve thousand years before Pierre Navarre built his cabin on the St. Joseph River, retreating glaciers carved a three-to-five-mile gap between two of the continent's great watersheds — and set South Bend's entire history in motion. In this episode, we trace the story of the St. Joseph-Kankakee portage from the last Ice Age through the arrival of French explorer Robert de LaSalle, the 1681 council beneath the Council Oak, and the fur traders who finally cashed in on one of North America's most valuable pieces of real estate.

Part of Series 7: Early South Bend

A Bend in Time is presented by The History Museum in South Bend, Indiana and hosted by Aaron Helman.

This series is presented in conjunction with The History Museum's America250 programming and the exhibit First Peoples, First Settlers: Indiana's Interwoven Roots, which explores the beginnings of settlement in the area and the interactions between European settlers and America's Native peoples. First Peoples, First Settlers is on display until January 31, 2026.

Visit The History Museum's website at historymuseumsb.org

Episode 8: Revolutionaries

In 1776, the United States' Founding Fathers launched a revolution. 250 years later, they're still here. They've been carved into marble and mountains. They are in your wallet. They have their own national holidays. And some of them have a street named after them in South Bend, Indiana. Learn about some famous revolutionaries' local ties, from Lafayette to Kosciuszcko, on this episode of A Bend in Time.

Part of Series 6: Street Names, Volume 1

A Bend in Time is presented by The History Museum in South Bend, Indiana and hosted by Aaron Helman.

This series is generously sponsored by the Doug Hunt Family.

Visit The History Museum's website at historymuseumsb.org

Episode 7: Original People

Depending on who's telling it, South Bend's story usually begins with the early fur traders coming to set up shop. But they came here because people were here, with lives, trade networks, and entire civilizations around the place that would become South Bend. Miami Street is named for the Miami people of the region, Parkovash for the bison who used to thunder across the plains, and Pokagon after a great leader of the local Potawatomi. Learn about all of these and more on this episode of A Bend in Time.

Part of Series 6: Street Names, Volume 1

A Bend in Time is presented by The History Museum in South Bend, Indiana and hosted by Aaron Helman.

This series is generously sponsored by the Doug Hunt Family.

Visit The History Museum's website at historymuseumsb.org

Episode 6: Civil War Figures

After the outbreak of war in 1861, President Lincoln issued a call for 75,000 volunteers from the loyal northern states. Proud South Benders marched off to distant battlefields and unknown futures in defense of a nation not yet a hundred years old. Soon enough they would become martyrs, heroes, leaders, and legends - and some had streets named after them. Whether it was earned by being the first to die in the war from Indiana, or mainly because their name started with the right letter, learn about these Civil War namesakes on this episode of A Bend in Time.

Part of Series 6: Street Names, Volume 1

A Bend in Time is presented by The History Museum in South Bend, Indiana and hosted by Aaron Helman.

This series is generously sponsored by the Doug Hunt Family.

Visit The History Museum's website at historymuseumsb.org

Episode 5: African American Heroes

As you walk, drive, or bike through St. Joseph County, you'll find roads named for trees, flowers, national heroes, and local figures. However, you'll be hard-pressed to find many named for African American individuals. Learn about three trailblazers who made a difference and the roads that were (re)named for them in this episode of A Bend in Time.

Part of Series 6: Street Names, Volume 1

A Bend in Time is presented by The History Museum in South Bend, Indiana and hosted by Aaron Helman.

This series is generously sponsored by the Doug Hunt Family.

Visit The History Museum's website at historymuseumsb.org

Episode 4: Original Pioneers

When you travel down Ireland Road, do you think of the green fields of Ireland? Or perhaps of the Fighting Irish? Think again! Samuel Irvin Houston Ireland was a very early Mishawaka resident and the first county assessor - our very own "Uncle Sam." Learn more about his family, along with the origins of Day Road and Navarre Street, in this episode of A Bend in Time.

Part of Series 6: Street Names, Volume 1

A Bend in Time is presented by The History Museum in South Bend, Indiana and hosted by Aaron Helman.

This series is generously sponsored by the Doug Hunt Family.

Visit The History Museum's website at historymuseumsb.org

Episode 3: University Legends

You might know the story behind Rockne Boulevard or Sorin Street, but did you know the stones in Notre Dame's Grotto paid for a family’s mortgage? Or why there are so many streets named for saints near campus? Learn about these and more in this episode of A Bend in Time!

Interested in learning more about notable Notre Dame figures? Search the University Archives collection here!

Part of Series 6: Street Names, Volume 1

A Bend in Time is presented by The History Museum in South Bend, Indiana and hosted by Aaron Helman.

This series is generously sponsored by the Doug Hunt Family.

Visit The History Museum's website at historymuseumsb.org