South Bend's West Washington Neighborhood Listed among 2012 Best Places to Live

Downtown area

In the heart of the Near West Side Neighborhood Association, the West Washington neighborhood surrounds South Bend's museum campus, which highlights the community's innovation and heritage, the West Washington National Register Historic District is the first National Register historic district in South Bend.

In the late 1800s, the leading citizens of the community built outstanding homes in this downtown-area neighborhood, a bi-product of the enormous wealth created by the industrial growth of the late 19th century. By the turn of the century it became the most prestigious neighborhood in South Bend.

Two of South Bend's leading industrialists of that period built enormous homes along West Washington. In 1895-1896, J.D. Oliver, of the Oliver Chill Plow, built the elegant Copshaholm, a 38-room Romanesque Queen Anne, and Clement Studebaker built the lavish, 40-room Richardsonian Romanesque-style Tippecanoe Place in 1889.

Locally and nationally recognized architects were involved in the design of many of the homes in the district. They included John Mills Van Osdel, Henry Ives Cobb – who designed Tippecanoe Place; Lamb and Rich who designed Copshaholm; and Frank Lloyd Wright, who designed the 1906 Prairie-style DeRhodes House.

Also in the neighborhood is the impressive Engman Natatorium built in 1922. Once a symbol of segregation, it now houses Indiana University South Bend's Civil Rights Heritage Center.  Copshaholm, in its original splendor, is adjacent to and part of the Northern Indiana Center for History. The Studebaker National Museum is just next door. Tippecanoe Place has remained intact and is now a first class restaurant.

As in many older neighborhoods West Washington has seen the ebb and flow of time. From the prosperous days of the Studebakers and Olivers to the challenging times to follow, the neighborhood has stood strong. From the 1950s to the 1970s, lack of appreciation for historic architecture left the neighborhood dotted with vacant lots. Since then the neighborhood has experienced a rebirth and there have been two dozen old homes moved in to complete the neighborhood.

The neighborhood now contains some of the original urban pioneers, newcomers from the Chicago area, University of Notre Dame and Indiana University South Bend professors and doctors from Memorial Hospital, all adding to the great urban mix of artists, social workers and civic leaders.

One resident, owner of one of the many bed & breakfasts in the area lives in the business and loves the setting. "My husband and I walk downtown every night," the Chicago native says. Another resident says, "We have a lot of foot traffic in the neighborhood. There are a lot of people who walk or bike to work. We really enjoy downtown living." Another resident, the owner of an 1892 home that is now a bed and breakfast, loves living in the city and all that comes with it. "It is urban," she said. "There is cultural diversity. That's what makes it interesting. People are out and about. They're sitting on their porches. There is a strong sense of neighborhood here."

"We wanted to live and raise our family in a diverse neighborhood," said another longtime resident and mother of two.

This neighborhood full of architectural gems, interesting, diverse neighbors and downtown amenities awaits you. Fixer-uppers start below $100,000 and finely restored mansions would sell closer to $700,000.

Check out South Bend Heritage Foundation's homes for sale!

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Department of Community & Economic Development
Division of Community Development
227 W. Jefferson Boulevard • Suite 1200 S
South Bend, IN  46601
574.235.9660 • Fax: 574.235.9469