Episode 42

The Story of Mishawaka's Twin Branch Dam and Power Plant

Published on: 27th June, 2025

In this episode, I meet with the President and Curator of the Mishawaka Historical Museum, Pete DeKever.  We talk about a chapter from his most recent book, LOST Mishawaka. The specific chapter that we discuss is “When Mishawaka was the Power City: The Story of the Twin Branch Dam and Power Plant”

I've seen the massive Twin Branch Dam many times, but I definitely was not aware that the dam is only a part of how much local history the land contains. There was a huge area on the north side of the river that contained massive steam plant buildings that once powered the entire city of Mishawaka and beyond.  But now.... that complex is but a distant memory.

The story behind the Twin Branch Dam and Power Plant is truly remarkable considering how large it became and how much of an impact the power it produced had on local lives.

Thank you Pete DeKever for joining us! Check out Pete's new book, LOST Mishawaka, at the link below.

https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Mishawaka-Peter-J-Kever/dp/1467157910#detailBullets_feature_div

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Thank you to the Mishawaka Historical Museum for sponsoring this episode! If you're a fan of our content, you'll be a fan of the museum! You'll experience the most comprehensive collection of artifacts and historical background all specific to Mishawaka!

Give them a visit at 121 S. Main St. in Mishawaka, just south of the Lincolnway and Main St. intersection. Check out their website to learn more!

https://mishawakamuseum.org/

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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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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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