Mishawaka

History

In September 1872, a fire destroyed three quarters of Mishawaka’s business district. However, the persevering citizens rebuilt and attracted new industry. The Dodge Manufacturing Company, Perkins Windmills and the Mishawaka Woolen and Rubber Company (later Ball Band, then Uniroyal) all helped the town to prosper industrially. The town also grew agriculturally. In the late 1800’s, the city gained the title as the "Peppermint Capital of the World" due to the rich black loam found in the area that yield great quantities of mint. Ball Band made rubber garments and was hit by a major strike in 1931, but flourished in the 1940s, finally closing in 1997 in the face of cheaper imports. Manufacturing in Mishawaka peaked in the 1940s and began a slow decline as the economic base shifted to retail services and small industry.

In 1979, University Park Mall opened north of Mishawaka. In 1990, AM General began producing the Hummer in its Mishawaka plant. Although much of the rest of the city's heavy industry was gone by the turn of the 21st century, Mishawaka retains a thriving commercial district that is home to one of the largest retail centers in the Midwest, the Grape Road/N Main St shopping corridor, which serves all of Michiana. Mishawaka's population is still ethnically diverse, with large Belgian, German and Italian settlements dating from the late 19th century.

Neighborhoods and Leisure

Old fashioned neighborhoods still exist all over the city, and many of the newer residential subdivisions that have been developed within the city in recent years have attempted to replicate the community spirit and "hometown" neighborhood feel. Because neighborhoods are such a vital resource to the success of Mishawaka, the city continually upgrades and develops new neighborhood park and recreation facilities. Presently, a total of 27 parks allow Mishawaka residents to golf, play ball, fish and exercise. In 1968, the city opened an outdoor Olympic-size swimming pool and an adjacent ice skating rink at Merrifield Park.  On the south side, Mishawaka's George Wilson Park is home to the city's most popular winter toboggan spot, as well as an 18-hole frisbee golf course. While some of the city's Italian immigrants play games like bocce, and some Belgian immigrants continue to raise and race homing pigeons, the city also hosts the nation's oldest and largest wiffleball tournament, the World Whiffleball Championship held at Rose Park’s 22-field wiffleball complex. The city is also renowned statewide for its high school football and wrestling excellence, its three schools having won a combined 11 state championships since 1920Points of interest

• Beutter Park - The centerpiece of Mishawaka's 2000s downtown revitalization, the new park includes a river race with elliptical-shaped overlook weirs and fiber-optic underwater lighting, two connecting bridges across the St. Joseph River race to the park, the Mishawaka Riverwalk, the "Shards" sculpture, and an 800 foot perennial garden.
• Battell Park's historic WPA-built band shelter and terraced rock garden.
• Shiojiri Garden, located in Merrifield Park, is a Japanese strolling garden that symbolizes the Sister-City relationship between Mishawaka, Indiana and Shiojiri City, Japan.
• The Beiger Mansion, built in 1903 and beautifully restored in 1973, was gutted by arson in 1974. The building has since been re-renovated (although not to its former state) and is home to a popular area bed and breakfast.
• Kamm & Schellinger Brewing Company and the 100 Center Complex
• AM General's manufacturing plant, where the Hummer line of vehicles are built.
• Bethel College is affiliated with the Missionary Church, and serves approximately 1,700 students.
• Bonnie Doons restaurant on Lincoln Way West and Fourth Street at Main are the last of the area's original 1950s vintage drive up soda shops.