Round the Bend Now and Then

Drewry's Brewery

For decades, the massive Drewry’s Brewery complex on South Bend’s northwest side stood as one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Long after production stopped, the towering brick buildings along Elwood Avenue remained a reminder of South Bend’s industrial past. In this episode, I sit down with Drewry’s historian and collector Wes Weaver to uncover the incredible story behind the brewery. From its roots as the historic Muessel Brewery, to Prohibition era intrigue, Detroit organized crime connections, federal investigations, corporate mergers, and the eventual collapse of regional breweries - this is a fascinating dive into one of South Bend’s most iconic industrial giants. A huge thanks to Wes for sharing his incredible research and passion for preserving brewery history. Be sure to check out Wes's article: Born in Canada, Built in Detroit, Brewed in South Bend. The Story of Drewrys Limited USA [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ti450q7Yg8BRYciCGdmBcI7_HRovmy24/view?usp=drive_link] Check out the Brewery Collectibles Club of America website: https://bcca.com/ [https://bcca.com/] _________________________________________________________ Big thank you to Dan Berry Insurance for supporting the show. I’ve trusted them for over 25 years - their customer service and commitment to our community truly stands out! Learn more at www.danberryinsurance.com [http://www.danberryinsurance.com/]. _________________________________________________________ Special thanks to our friends at Allie's Cafe for supporting this episode of Round the Bend Now and Then! A River Park staple for 26 years, Allie’s is more than just a cafe - it’s family. Stop in, grab a breakfast burrito (my favorite), or check out their catering at https://www.alliescafe.com/ [https://www.alliescafe.com/] and tell them Round the Bend sent you! _________________________________________________________ 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/ [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 [https://youtube.com/@RoundtheBend574] Be sure to follow Round the Bend Now and Then on Twitter: @roundthebendpod [https://twitter.com/roundthebendpod?s=21&t=FgRdkGauv7hn7oIpJ_x47Q] Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roundthebendnowandthen [https://www.facebook.com/roundthebendnowandthen?mibextid=LQQJ4d] To contact the show, you can email at roundthebend574@gmail.com [roundthebend574@gmail.com] or message on Twitter or Facebook. For current & historical pictures and commentary on the South Bend & Mishawaka area, follow @roundthebend574 [https://twitter.com/roundthebend574] on Twitter.

Mishawaka's Lost Skyscraper

For a brief moment in the 1960's, downtown Mishawaka almost looked completely different. Plans were unveiled for Center Point Tower - a futuristic 33 story skyscraper featuring offices, apartments, observation decks, and even a revolving restaurant overlooking the St. Joseph River. It would have transformed the Mishawaka skyline forever… but it was never built. In this episode, I sit down with local Mishawaka historian Pete DeKever to explore one of the most fascinating “what if” stories in our area’s history. Pete, author of Lost Mishawaka, shares the story behind the ambitious vision, the man who dreamed it, and why the project ultimately never became reality. A HUGE thank you to Pete for sharing his time, knowledge, research, and genuine passion for preserving Mishawaka history. Conversations like this are such an important reminder that there’s SO much history right under our noses. _________________________________________________________ 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 [https://round-the-bend-now-and-then.captivate.fm/episode/mishawakamuseum.org] and be sure to stop in and explore. _____________________________________________________ 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/ [https://indianarugco.com/] and be sure to check them out in person! _____________________________________________________ Big thank you to Dan Berry Insurance for supporting the show. I’ve trusted them for over 25 years - their customer service and commitment to our community truly stands out! Learn more at www.danberryinsurance.com [http://www.danberryinsurance.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 [https://youtube.com/@RoundtheBend574] Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roundthebendnowandthen [https://www.facebook.com/roundthebendnowandthen?mibextid=LQQJ4d] Follow us on TikTok! https://www.tiktok.com/@roundthebend574?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc [https://www.tiktok.com/@roundthebend574?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc] To contact the show, you can email at roundthebend574@gmail.com [roundthebend574@gmail.com] or message on Twitter or Facebook. For current & historical pictures and commentary on the South Bend & Mishawaka area, follow @roundthebend574 [https://twitter.com/roundthebend574] on Twitter.

The College Football Hall of Fame

In the early 1990s, South Bend took a bold swing, landing the College Football Hall of Fame with hopes of putting the city on the national stage and sparking new life in downtown. In this episode, I sit down with Richard Nussbaum, former South Bend city attorney under Joe Kernan and someone who had a front row seat to how it all unfolded. From the excitement of landing the Hall, to the numerous challenges, to the eventual move out of South Bend, Dick shares a firsthand look at one of the most ambitious, and debated, chapters in our city’s modern history. This is the story of a big idea, the risks that come with it, and what it all means looking back today. _________________________________________________________ Big thank you to Dan Berry Insurance for supporting the show. I’ve trusted them for over 25 years - their customer service and commitment to our community truly stands out! Learn more at www.danberryinsurance.com [http://www.danberryinsurance.com]. _________________________________________________________ Special thanks to our friends at Allie's Cafe for supporting this episode of Round the Bend Now and Then! A River Park staple for 26 years, Allie’s is more than just a cafe - it’s family. Stop in, grab a breakfast burrito (my favorite), or check out their catering at https://www.alliescafe.com/ [https://www.alliescafe.com/] and tell them Round the Bend sent you! _________________________________________________________ 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/ [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 [https://youtube.com/@RoundtheBend574] Be sure to follow Round the Bend Now and Then on Twitter: @roundthebendpod [https://twitter.com/roundthebendpod?s=21&t=FgRdkGauv7hn7oIpJ_x47Q] Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roundthebendnowandthen [https://www.facebook.com/roundthebendnowandthen?mibextid=LQQJ4d] To contact the show, you can email at roundthebend574@gmail.com [roundthebend574@gmail.com] or message on Twitter or Facebook. For current & historical pictures and commentary on the South Bend & Mishawaka area, follow @roundthebend574 [https://twitter.com/roundthebend574] on Twitter.

From Ruin to Revival: The Beiger Mansion Story

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/ [https://www.beigermansion.com/] _____________________________________________________ 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 [mishawakamuseum.org] and be sure to stop in and explore. _____________________________________________________ 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/ [https://indianarugco.com/] and be sure to check them out in person! _____________________________________________________ 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/ [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 [https://youtube.com/@RoundtheBend574] Be sure to follow Round the Bend Now and Then on Twitter: @roundthebendpod [https://twitter.com/roundthebendpod?s=21&t=FgRdkGauv7hn7oIpJ_x47Q] Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roundthebendnowandthen [https://www.facebook.com/roundthebendnowandthen?mibextid=LQQJ4d] To contact the show, you can email at roundthebend574@gmail.com [roundthebend574@gmail.com] or message on Twitter or Facebook. For current & historical pictures and commentary on the South Bend & Mishawaka area, follow @roundthebend574 [https://twitter.com/roundthebend574] on Twitter.

Dillinger’s Last Heist: Chaos in Downtown South Bend

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/ [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/ [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/ [https://www.historymuseumsb.org/see-do/a-bend-in-time/] __________________________________________________ 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/ [https://www.mtboxcomputers.com/] __________________________________________________ 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://portage-township.com/] https://www.facebook.com/share/1786tvftXK/?mibextid=wwXIfr [https://www.facebook.com/share/1786tvftXK/?mibextid=wwXIfr] __________________________________________________ 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 [https://youtube.com/@RoundtheBend574] Be sure to follow Round the Bend Now and Then on Twitter: @roundthebendpod [https://twitter.com/roundthebendpod?s=21&t=FgRdkGauv7hn7oIpJ_x47Q] Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roundthebendnowandthen [https://www.facebook.com/roundthebendnowandthen?mibextid=LQQJ4d] To contact the show, you can email at roundthebend574@gmail.com [roundthebend574@gmail.com] or message on Twitter or Facebook. For current & historical pictures and commentary on the South Bend & Mishawaka area, follow @roundthebend574 [https://twitter.com/roundthebend574] on Twitter.