A Bend in Time
The History Museum proudly presents “A Bend in Time,” a podcast of curated histories hosted by Aaron Helman of the greater South Bend, Indiana area.
Series 7 explores the earliest days of the city of South Bend, from the great Kankakee swamp and early French explorers to famous firsts and the Potawatomi Trail of Death.
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
Episodes
Oct 7, 2024
Oct 7, 2024
29 min
Episode 4: Alexander Thomas
Alexander Napier Thomas was mayor of South Bend from 1876-1878, during the years it was most affected by the nation’s Long Depression. He was a proud member of the Temperance Society, an in-demand Sunday School teacher, and a pioneer at heart, leaving South Bend to build a new life in Nebraska even before his term in the mayor’s office was up.
Part of Series 1: Dawn of the City of South Bend
Looking for something in particular?
03:27 A brief biography of Alexander Thomas
09:51 South Bend is hit by the Long Depression
12:37 Mayor Thomas organizes religious relief societies
14:37 South Benders begin a fascination with the west
18:42 Mayor Thomas visits Nebraska
20:33 South Bend’s railroads survive the economic downturn
22:58 Mayor Thomas throws a party marking the end of an era
25:07 Controversy surrounding the renaming of Thomas Street
27:34 Mayor Thomas’s legacy and death
A Bend in Time is presented by The History Museum in South Bend, Indiana and hosted by Aaron Helman.
Visit The History Museum's website.
Oct 7, 2024
Oct 7, 2024
26 min
Episode 3: William Miller
William Miller was mayor of South Bend from 1872-1876, inheriting a city on a high note that was about to come to an unexpected end. Miller had endured plenty of tragedy during his early life and would see plenty more during his four years in the mayor’s office. He’d oversee the city’s effort to build a modern water works and help deliver the wildest political circus the young city had ever seen.
Part of Series 1: Dawn of the City of South Bend
Looking for something in particular?
02:32 A brief biography of William Miller
06:39 Death of South Bend’s founder, Alexis Coquillard
08:30 There are TWO William Millers?
11:16 A pair of major fires visit South Bend
13:24 Water Works debate turns contentious
16:40 Political parties dissolve ahead of the 1873 Council election
17:46 John Studebaker and Schuyler Colfax lose a bet on Christmas!
21:18 Mayor Miller departs from the Republican party amid controversy
24:59 Mayor Miller’s legacy and death
A Bend in Time is presented by The History Museum in South Bend, Indiana and hosted by Aaron Helman.
Visit The History Museum's website.
Oct 7, 2024
Oct 7, 2024
23 min
Episode 2: Dr. Louis Humphreys
Louis Humphreys was mayor of South Bend from 1868 – 1872, a time that lined up almost perfectly with Schuyler Colfax’s vice presidency. It was an unprecedented time of Good Feelings, business development, and governmental cooperation. For most of his term, Humphreys’ actions rarely made big news… and that’s exactly the way he would have wanted it.
Part of Series 1: Dawn of the City of South Bend
Looking for something in particular?
02:52 A brief biography of Dr. Louis Humphreys
05:55 Major long-term business investment comes to South Bend
08:36 Mayor Humphreys leads the charge for Grant & Colfax
09:24 Clement Studebaker begins to step into local politics
09:54 Grant & Colfax win the White House
12:26 African Americans establish a presence in South Bend
18:04 South Bend responds to the Great Chicago Fire
21:07 Mayor Humphreys’ legacy and death
A Bend in Time is presented by The History Museum in South Bend, Indiana and hosted by Aaron Helman.
Visit The History Museum's website.
Oct 7, 2024
Oct 7, 2024
35 min
Episode 1: William Greenawalt George
William Greenawalt George was mayor of South Bend from 1865 – 1868. He saw the city through its incorporation and presided over its first City Council meetings. He oversaw the city’s first efforts to pave roads and sidewalks, wooed railroad investment, and led the controversial effort to annex the nearby village of Lowell.
Part of Series 1: Dawn of the City of South Bend
Looking for something in particular?
05:20 What does it mean to incorporate a community?
08:53 A brief biography of Mayor George
12:53 Sidewalk building becomes a political disaster
19:20 A malaria panic in South Bend!
21:53 The first South Bend Farmer’s Market
23:23 South Bend annexes Lowell… controversially
25:34 George declares war on unmuzzled dogs
27:38 Dirty politics drives the work of the City Council to a halt
29:58 Mayor George decides not to run for a third term
33:02 Mayor George’s legacy and death
A Bend in Time is presented by The History Museum in South Bend, Indiana and hosted by Aaron Helman.
Visit The History Museum's website.
The History Museum
A nationally accredited institution, The History Museum is the second oldest and second largest historical society in the State of Indiana. Its nine-acre campus includes a 40,000 square foot museum featuring seven changing exhibit galleries, three historic homes, and lush formal gardens. The museum uses its collection of over 600,000 artifacts to educate and enlighten, giving community members the power to positively impact our future. Through its offerings, it is a place where the past is documented so that the present might be better understood.