A Bend in Time

Latest Episodes:

Series 06-07: Original People May 19, 2026

Show notes

Episode 7: Original People

Depending on who's telling it, South Bend's story usually begins with the early fur traders coming to set up shop. But they came here because people were here, with lives, trade networks, and entire civilizations around the place that would become South Bend. Miami Street is named for the Miami people of the region, Parkovash for the bison who used to thunder across the plains, and Pokagon after a great leader of the local Potawatomi. Learn about all of these and more on this episode of A Bend in Time.

Part of Series 6: Street Names, Volume 1

A Bend in Time is presented by The History Museum in South Bend, Indiana and hosted by Aaron Helman.

This series is generously sponsored by the Doug Hunt Family.

Visit The History Museum's website at historymuseumsb.org

Series 06-06: Civil War Figures May 12, 2026

Show notes

Episode 6: Civil War Figures

After the outbreak of war in 1861, President Lincoln issued a call for 75,000 volunteers from the loyal northern states. Proud South Benders marched off to distant battlefields and unknown futures in defense of a nation not yet a hundred years old. Soon enough they would become martyrs, heroes, leaders, and legends - and some had streets named after them. Whether it was earned by being the first to die in the war from Indiana, or mainly because their name started with the right letter, learn about these Civil War namesakes on this episode of A Bend in Time.

Part of Series 6: Street Names, Volume 1

A Bend in Time is presented by The History Museum in South Bend, Indiana and hosted by Aaron Helman.

This series is generously sponsored by the Doug Hunt Family.

Visit The History Museum's website at historymuseumsb.org

Series 06-05: African American Heroes May 05, 2026

Show notes

Episode 5: African American Heroes

As you walk, drive, or bike through St. Joseph County, you'll find roads named for trees, flowers, national heroes, and local figures. However, you'll be hard-pressed to find many named for African American individuals. Learn about three trailblazers who made a difference and the roads that were (re)named for them in this episode of A Bend in Time.

Part of Series 6: Street Names, Volume 1

A Bend in Time is presented by The History Museum in South Bend, Indiana and hosted by Aaron Helman.

This series is generously sponsored by the Doug Hunt Family.

Visit The History Museum's website at historymuseumsb.org

Series 06-04: Original Pioneers Apr 28, 2026

Show notes

Episode 4: Original Pioneers

When you travel down Ireland Road, do you think of the green fields of Ireland? Or perhaps of the Fighting Irish? Think again! Samuel Irvin Houston Ireland was a very early Mishawaka resident and the first county assessor - our very own "Uncle Sam." Learn more about his family, along with the origins of Day Road and Navarre Street, in this episode of A Bend in Time.

Part of Series 6: Street Names, Volume 1

A Bend in Time is presented by The History Museum in South Bend, Indiana and hosted by Aaron Helman.

This series is generously sponsored by the Doug Hunt Family.

Visit The History Museum's website at historymuseumsb.org

Series 06-03: University Legends Apr 21, 2026

Show notes

Episode 3: University Legends

You might know the story behind Rockne Boulevard or Sorin Street, but did you know the stones in Notre Dame's Grotto paid for a family’s mortgage? Or why there are so many streets named for saints near campus? Learn about these and more in this episode of A Bend in Time!

Interested in learning more about notable Notre Dame figures? Search the University Archives collection here!

Part of Series 6: Street Names, Volume 1

A Bend in Time is presented by The History Museum in South Bend, Indiana and hosted by Aaron Helman.

This series is generously sponsored by the Doug Hunt Family.

Visit The History Museum's website at historymuseumsb.org

Series 06-02: Forgotten Political Figures Apr 14, 2026

Show notes

Episode 2: Forgotten Political Figures

Driving down Brick Road or Sample Street, one assumes their common names are references former brick pavers, or perhaps a free sample of something - and one would be wrong. Learn about the legendary political figures Samuel Sample and Abraham Lincoln Brick in this episode of A Bend in Time.

While in Congress, Samuel Sample corresponded regularly regarding political matters with Schuyler Colfax, who ran the local Whig newspaper at the time. Read his letters at The History Museum's online collections portal.

Part of Series 6: Street Names, Volume 1

A Bend in Time is presented by The History Museum in South Bend, Indiana and hosted by Aaron Helman.

This series is generously sponsored by the Doug Hunt Family.

Visit The History Museum's website at historymuseumsb.org

Series 06-01: Lathrop, Miner, Taylor Apr 07, 2026

Show notes

Episode 1: Lathrop, Miner, Taylor

Join us as on A Bend In Time as we travel across South Bend to find the stories behind the names of

Lathrop Street, Miner Street, and Taylor Street.

See photos of Lathrop Taylor and Miner Listenberger, Taylor's original post office, and even the key to his general store at The History Museum's online artifact collection!

Part of Series 6: Street Names, Volume 1

A Bend in Time is presented by The History Museum in South Bend, Indiana and hosted by Aaron Helman.

This series is generously sponsored by the Doug Hunt Family.

Visit The History Museum's website at historymuseumsb.org

Series 05-08: Ghosts of the Gilded Age Sep 30, 2025

Show notes

Episode 8: Ghosts of the Gilded Age

A restored Birdsell Mansion, whispers of West Washington tunnels, Tippecanoe Place’s stairway specters, Studebaker’s after-hours echoes, and a doll named Lucy who might not like strangers.

Part of Series 5: Spooky South Bend

A Bend in Time is presented by The History Museum in South Bend, Indiana and hosted by Aaron Helman.

Visit The History Museum's website at historymuseumsb.org

Series 05-07: Shadows from the East Sep 30, 2025

Show notes

Episode 7: Shadows from the East

From Bristol’s Opera House ghosts (Beth, Helen, and Percy) to Elkhart’s Old Bag Factory and Mishawaka’s original Hacienda mansion, we tour stages, shop floors, and dining rooms that refuse to sleep.

Part of Series 5: Spooky South Bend

A Bend in Time is presented by The History Museum in South Bend, Indiana and hosted by Aaron Helman.

Visit The History Museum's website at historymuseumsb.org

Series 05-06: Grave Warnings Sep 30, 2025

Show notes

Episode 6: Grave Warnings

After-hours legends from Michiana’s cemeteries: Little Egypt’s angry spirits, Primrose’s Troll Bridge, Portage Prairie’s quiet Dunkards, and South Bend City Cemetery’s bridge to nowhere, where some swear they hear water that never flowed.

Part of Series 5: Spooky South Bend

A Bend in Time is presented by The History Museum in South Bend, Indiana and hosted by Aaron Helman.

Visit The History Museum's website at historymuseumsb.org

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