If you’ve ever driven through downtown Mishawaka, you’ve likely passed 317 Lincolnway East... and probably slowed down to take it in. Even from the outside, it’s clear: This place has a story!

The Beiger Mansion has lived many lives. Built by one of Mishawaka’s most prominent families, it was once a grand social hub, later served as a home for elderly women for over forty years, narrowly escaped demolition in the early 1970s, and was nearly lost to a devastating fire in 1975.

Then, in 1989, Ron Montandon purchased the 22,000-square-foot mansion in rough shape and began restoring it piece by piece, determined to preserve its original character. In 2000, Dennis Slade joined the effort, helping transform it into the one-of-a-kind bed and breakfast and event space it is today.

I sat down with Ron and Dennis inside the mansion itself, surrounded by the history we were talking about, for a conversation that brings this remarkable story to life. THANK YOU Ron and Dennis for sharing your story!

Be sure to check out The Beiger's website for more details about the bed and breakfast as well as information about booking an event.

https://www.beigermansion.com/

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A big thank you to the Mishawaka Historical Museum for supporting our work! Discover the stories and people that shaped Mishawaka through engaging exhibits, including over 160 newly displayed artifacts and pictures, and pick up your free Mishawaka History Summer Bucket List booklet!

Learn more and plan your visit at mishawakamuseum.org and be sure to stop in and explore.

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Thank you to InRugCo Studio & Gift Shop for supporting the show! Stop in and browse a unique selection of gifts and locally inspired items! Learn more at https://indianarugco.com/ and be sure to check them out in person!

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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! Did I mention that they're local?

https://www.mtboxcomputers.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!

You Tube Link: https://youtube.com/@RoundtheBend574

Be sure to follow Round the Bend Now and Then on Twitter: @roundthebendpod

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

To contact the show, you can email at roundthebend574@gmail.com or message on Twitter or Facebook.

For current & historical pictures and commentary on the South Bend & Mishawaka area, follow @roundthebend574 on Twitter.

If you were alive in America in the early 1930s, there was one name that dominated newspaper headlines everywhere: John Dillinger.

He wasn’t just a criminal - he was a national celebrity outlaw.

He and his gang had bank robbery down to a science: planning, timing, speed. In most cases they were in and out in a couple of minutes. And on June 30th, 1934, that machine wildly rolled into downtown South Bend.

In this episode, I sit down with local historian and author Aaron Helman to explore the story of John Dillinger’s final bank robbery, which took place in broad daylight on a busy downtown South Bend street.

Aaron wrote about this event on his website, The South Bend News-Times, in an article titled “John Dillinger’s Last Robbery Was in South Bend.” Be sure to check out that piece, along with Aaron’s other local history work, which includes multiple books, articles, and a podcast series. I’ve included links to it all below.

https://southbendnewstimes.com/community/helman-john-dillinger-south-bend/

Learn tons about our local history from Aaron’s books. Check them out at:

https://www.aaronhelman.com/

Aaron also hosts and narrates a local history podcast called “A Bend in Time” Available wherever you get your podcasts or at the link below:

https://www.historymuseumsb.org/see-do/a-bend-in-time/

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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! Did I mention that they're local?

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 and Facebook below and discover ALL that the Portage Township Trustee's Office does to meet our community's needs!

https://portage-township.com/

https://www.facebook.com/share/1786tvftXK/?mibextid=wwXIfr

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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!

You Tube Link: https://youtube.com/@RoundtheBend574

Be sure to follow Round the Bend Now and Then on Twitter: @roundthebendpod

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

To contact the show, you can email at roundthebend574@gmail.com or message on Twitter or Facebook.

For current & historical pictures and commentary on the South Bend & Mishawaka area, follow @roundthebend574 on Twitter.

Joe Kernan’s name is deeply woven into the story of South Bend. A Navy pilot and former prisoner of war, Kernan returned home and dedicated his life to serving the community he loved. From his early role as the city’s controller, to nearly a decade as mayor of South Bend, and later as Indiana’s lieutenant governor and governor, Joe believed deeply in public service. But beyond the titles and headlines was a man who cared deeply about his city and the people who called it home.

In this episode, I sit down with Dick Nussbaum, Kernan’s longtime friend and city attorney. Dick shares personal memories and stories that offer a rare glimpse into Joe’s leadership, his character, and the political instincts that helped shape South Bend during an important chapter in the city’s history.

And as it turns out, this is the 50th episode of Round the Bend Now and Then and what better way to mark that milestone than by reflecting on the life and legacy of Joe Kernan!

A special thanks to Dick Nussbaum for generously sharing his time and memories of someone who meant so much to him.

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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 and Facebook below and discover ALL that the Portage Township Trustee's Office does to meet our community's needs!

https://portage-township.com/

https://www.facebook.com/share/1786tvftXK/?mibextid=wwXIfr

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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! Did I mention that they're local?

https://www.mtboxcomputers.com/

_______________________________________________

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

You Tube Link: https://youtube.com/@RoundtheBend574

Be sure to follow Round the Bend Now and Then on Twitter: @roundthebendpod

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

To contact the show, you can email at roundthebend574@gmail.com or message on Twitter or Facebook.

For current & historical pictures and commentary on the South Bend & Mishawaka area, follow @roundthebend574 on Twitter.