Episode 41

Mishawaka's West End Neighborhood

Published on: 31st March, 2025

In this episode, I meet with Mishawaka historian Susanna Ernst and we talk about one of our area's most iconic neighborhoods: Mishawaka's Belgian West End.

The neighborhood was built by Belgian immigrants in the early 1900’s and grew into a cultural center that was equipped with everything they needed within a few blocks radius: Flemish speaking grocery stores, social clubs, banks, bakeries, and even their own catholic church... St. Bavo.

I learned SO much from Susanna's knowledge and research about the Belgian West End.  It once again reaffirms that there is SO much history right under our noses!  I’m confident that you’ll learn a thing or two as well. 

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Thank you to M/T Box Computers for sponsoring this episode! Check out their website below to learn more about what they can do to fit your small business's technological needs!

https://www.mtboxcomputers.com/

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Thank you to the Portage Township Trustee's Office for sponsoring this episode! Thank you to Jason Critchlow and his team for ALL that you do in our community!

Check out their website below and discover ALL that the Portage Township Trustee's Office does to meet our community's needs!

https://portage-township.com/

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ALL of our audio podcast episodes are also on YouTube! Check out our channel! Be sure to like and subscribe! Link below!

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About the Podcast

Round the Bend Now and Then
Local history nerd Matt Emery strives to tell the story of South Bend and Mishawaka through interviews with local leaders, business owners and community members. Learn how intertwined the South Bend and Mishawaka area's past is to our present.
 
Our episodes are available on all popular podcast apps (Apple, Spotify, etc.).

I'm dabbling into visual content as well! Be sure to like and subscribe to our YouTube channel! Link below:
https://youtube.com/@RoundtheBend574

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/roundthebendpod

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roundthebendnowandthen

Reach out via email at: roundthebend574@gmail.com or instant message on Twitter or Facebook.

For current and historic pictures and commentary on the South Bend and Mishawaka area, also follow https://twitter.com/roundthebend574 on Twitter!

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