Round the Bend Now and Then

Round the Bend Now and Then Local history nerd Matt Emery tells the story of South Bend/Mishawaka through engaging interviews.

Happy happy birthday Chuck!!!
01/23/2025

Happy happy birthday Chuck!!!

One of the many things I love about InRugCo!!!! Check them out folks!
01/23/2025

One of the many things I love about InRugCo!!!!

Check them out folks!

We are the spot for your LOCAL tshirts! We design them in house, and use a local printer.

We have a variety of tees that offer something for the unique personalities in the Michiana area.

01/22/2025
Playland Park was WAY more than an amusement park….. it had a concert 🎶 hall as well: Melody Gardens Popular touring mus...
01/21/2025

Playland Park was WAY more than an amusement park….. it had a concert 🎶 hall as well: Melody Gardens

Popular touring musicians performed concerts here: Cab Calloway, Glen Miller, etc.

Hear all about in our new episode.

Links in replies below ⬇️

01/21/2025

Stop by the Mishawaka Historical Museum and learn all about Mishawaka’s history!

It’s a 💎 gem in our community!

This man, Earl J “Pete” Redden, was the visionary behind South Bend’s very popular amusement park: Playland Park In our ...
01/20/2025

This man, Earl J “Pete” Redden, was the visionary behind South Bend’s very popular amusement park: Playland Park

In our new episode, I meet with his daughter in law & grandson as they help tell the story the park, the man and the businesses he built.

Episode links in comments below ⬇️

Go Irish!☘️
01/20/2025

Go Irish!☘️

We wish Coach Freeman and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish luck in the National Championship tonight!

As "townies," our family has been ND fans for a long time. We grew up here, and have always rooted for the Irish! People either love ND or hate them. We're choosing the love. Go Irish! ☘️ 🏈

Also, can we bring back entire city billboards supporting their teams? What a fun way to boost community pride?!

🚨 NEW EPISODE ALERT 🚨 “The Visionary Behind Playland Park”Earl J “Pete” Redden Sr. was an absolute visionary entrepreneu...
01/19/2025

🚨 NEW EPISODE ALERT 🚨

“The Visionary Behind Playland Park”

Earl J “Pete” Redden Sr. was an absolute visionary entrepreneur and master promoter. He owned, operated & built Playland Park into an extremely popular amusement park that was a go to destination for decades. When the park closed, the land was then transformed into a popular 9 hole golf course, equipped with lights to play into the night. This was all located on the land between the Mighty St. Joseph River, Lincolnway, & Ironwood Dr, where IUSB's student housing now stands.

In this episode, I meet with his daughter in law (Sandy Redden) and grandson (Pete Redden) as they help tell the story the park, the man and the businesses he built.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts (Apple, Spotify, YouTube, etc.)! Episode links are in the replies below. ⬇️

01/19/2025

Just got to my brother’s house to watch some football and he’s sipping out of an InRugCo MISH glass….

👀 👀 👀 👀 👀 👀 👀 👀 👀 👀 New episode coming soon! The Visionary Behind Playland Park!
01/18/2025

👀 👀 👀 👀 👀 👀 👀 👀 👀 👀

New episode coming soon!

The Visionary Behind Playland Park!

It’s a perfect morning for Allie's Cafe and Catering!!!!! 🥓 🍳 🍞
01/18/2025

It’s a perfect morning for Allie's Cafe and Catering!!!!! 🥓 🍳 🍞

Just stopped by my favorite local shop and bought a birthday gift!! InRugCo
01/17/2025

Just stopped by my favorite local shop and bought a birthday gift!!

InRugCo

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Videos

John W Talbot’s Office he Died In
John W Talbot’s Office he Died In

🎙️ON THE SCENE REPORTING 🎥 The building that the vile South Bend lawyer John W. Talbot died a sensational death🔥 in is still standing. Listen to our interview with author & local historian Greta Fisher at the link ⬇️ to learn all about it! https://youtu.be/KE_vV4rdCtY?si=j0T7DWIKuGHEmcvU

🎤ON THE SCENE REPORTING🎤
🎤ON THE SCENE REPORTING🎤

One of South Bend’s WORST scoundrels ever, lawyer John Talbot, led a national fraternal organization out of his office RIGHT here on Colfax & Main. Also involved w/ booze,gambling prostitution, etc. His pals at City Hall were literally a half block away.

🎥 SNEAK PEAK!!! 🎥
🎥 SNEAK PEAK!!! 🎥

Storyland Zoo was in South Bend’s Rum Village Park from 1957 until 1981. This Sunday be sure to watch the story behind the zoo’s magical run that saw over 1 million people attend during those years! For now, check it this one minute sneak peak!

SNEAK PEAK: The Story of South Bend’s Storyland Zoo
SNEAK PEAK: The Story of South Bend’s Storyland Zoo

Would you believe that for a quarter century we had a children’s zoo in Rum Village Park? Many of you have cherished memories of Storyland Zoo… others wouldn’t believe we even had a children’s zoo there. We created a 35 minute documentary telling the story of South Bend’s Storyland Zoo! It contains dozens of historical photos, research from over 100 newspaper articles, current scenes from the former zoo area, and even a priceless late 1960s family video from the zoo. Here is a one minute sneak peak video! Be sure to share and spread the word! The full video will be released this Sunday, July 14th.

Coquillard’s Folly
Coquillard’s Folly

💥 FREE ON THE SCENE COMMENTARY!💥 Near the City Cemetery commenting on the only remaining remnants of Coquillard’s Folly, the failed 1800s waterway. As heard on the episode with Aaron Helman. YouTube link below! https://youtu.be/51rM1eh6hOc?si=0Hs0kxyXdnJQj5ky

Reroute the St Joe River
Reroute the St Joe River

I’m not sure who trained this guy with his on the scene reporting, but it’s still crazy to think what would have been in this area near Leeper Park/Riverside Dr if the plan in the video link below would’ve come to fruition! https://youtu.be/4qkR2tdEFvQ?si=ZBecHWUhOiiQL9-H

At the Niles Ave dog park now & right across the river is where business man Ludwig Blake proposed to build an expressway in his wild 1950s plan. Literally it would have cut through the east side of Leeper Park there. Watch at the link below! https://youtu.be/4qkR2tdEFvQ?si=w7fxTtdED4bNeOl5

Navarre St
Navarre St

In the new episode of “South Bend’s Canal That Never Was” Aaron Helman tells the story of the 4 mile Kankakee Millrace built from the St Joe River near Memorial Hospital to the far Westside I’m on the scene on Navarre St near where the canal was providing CAPTIVATING NARRATION!

Who has been to Frank’s Place? I’m standing in the parking lot providing glowing narration about the “canal” that used to travel behind here. In this week’s episode, you’ll learn about a 4 mile canal through SB referred to as “Coquillard’s Folly.” Aaron Helman joins to share the story!

Palace Cafe
Palace Cafe

A SCENE AT THE PALAIS ROYALE!! Listen to this week’s episode & hear about the wild 1935 bombing of the Palace Cafe (currently Fat Bird restaurant). 💣 Author & local historian Aaron Helman joins to tell the story! Link in the replies!

A SCENE AT THE PALAIS ROYALE!! Listen to this week’s episode & hear about the wild 1935 bombing of the Palace Cafe (currently Fat Bird restaurant). 💣 Author & local historian Aaron Helman joins to tell the story! https://round-the-bend-now-and-then.captivate.fm/episode/the-palace-cafe-bombing

South Bend Band of Brothers Bench
South Bend Band of Brothers Bench

Here is the bench at the Military Honor Park & Museum that honors the six Hardman Brothers who served in WWII. Hear their amazing story at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts. https://round-the-bend-now-and-then.captivate.fm/episode/south-bends-band-of-brothers

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