Did you know? South Bend Black history

South Bend Tribune
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“Did you know?” offers a daily fact about South Bend Black history throughout the month of February. The series is in collaboration with the Indiana University South Bend Civil Rights Heritage Center.

Feb. 28, 2023

Opera performance at South Bend Central in 1949

This photo was taken after one of the performances of "Ouanga" by the H.T. Burleigh Music Association in South Bend.
This photo was taken after one of the performances of "Ouanga" by the H.T. Burleigh Music Association in South Bend.

Ouanga" was inspired by Haitian history as told through their folk music. Read more

Feb. 27, 2023

Renelda Robinson and Uncle Bill’s All-Colored Softball Team

Members of Uncle Bill's All-Colored Girls Softball Team pose for a team picture.
Members of Uncle Bill's All-Colored Girls Softball Team pose for a team picture.

The American Negro Girls Softball League offered young Black girls and women a chance to play professional caliber ball. Read more

Feb. 26, 2023

Peaceful march honors the life of MLK — April 5, 1968

Mourners fill a South Bend street in 1968 after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
Mourners fill a South Bend street in 1968 after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

Thousands of people from various racial, ethnic and religious identities mourned in unity. Read more

Feb. 25, 2023

Violent uprisings in South Bend — July 1967

Firefighters douse the flames of burning furniture outside Sandock's Furniture Store on July 25, 1967, the first of three nights of rioting in South Bend.
Firefighters douse the flames of burning furniture outside Sandock's Furniture Store on July 25, 1967, the first of three nights of rioting in South Bend.

Violent uprisings were part of national unrest in urban communities across the country that summer. Read more

Feb. 24, 2023

'In Colored Circles' column debuts in The Tribune — 1917

The "In Colored Circles" newspaper column by Etta M Boswell Bowen ran every Monday, Wednesday and Friday in the South Bend Tribune starting in 1919.
The "In Colored Circles" newspaper column by Etta M Boswell Bowen ran every Monday, Wednesday and Friday in the South Bend Tribune starting in 1919.

In 1904, the newspaper had segregated its society page. Read more

Feb. 23, 2023

Consent decree to desegregate South Bend schools in 1980

South Bend Community School Corp. Administration Building
South Bend Community School Corp. Administration Building

A group of parents had sued the school corporation in a case entitled Brookins v. South Bend. Read more

Feb. 22, 2023

Natatorium becomes Civil Rights Heritage Center in 2010

The IU-South Bend Civil Rights Heritage Center is seen on Tuesday in South Bend. The former Natatorium swimming pool, pictured in foreground, is now a garden area.
The IU-South Bend Civil Rights Heritage Center is seen on Tuesday in South Bend. The former Natatorium swimming pool, pictured in foreground, is now a garden area.

A coalition of IU faculty and staff, neighbors, city of South Bend officials, and others transformed the Natatorium into an active learning center. Read more

Feb. 21, 2023

Pilgrim Baptist moves to first permanent location on Birdsell Street — 1891

Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, 116 N. Birdsell St., South Bend, will celebrate its 125th anniversary Sunday. SBT Photo/ROBERT FRANKLIN
Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, 116 N. Birdsell St., South Bend, will celebrate its 125th anniversary Sunday. SBT Photo/ROBERT FRANKLIN

South Bend's Black Baptists organized their first congregation in August 1890. Read more

Feb. 20, 2023

Minstrel show at The Palace Theater in August 1933

This undated photo provided by The History Museum shows the seating area in the auditorium at what is now called the Morris Performing Arts Center in South Bend. It opened Nov. 2, 1922, as the Palace Theater and was called the Morris Civic Auditorium from 1959 to 2000.
This undated photo provided by The History Museum shows the seating area in the auditorium at what is now called the Morris Performing Arts Center in South Bend. It opened Nov. 2, 1922, as the Palace Theater and was called the Morris Civic Auditorium from 1959 to 2000.

The racially derogatory performances were commonplace throughout the early 20th century. Read more

Feb. 19, 2023

Olivet African Methodist Episcopal forms in 1870

The choir of Olivet AME Church, then located at 310 W. Monroe St., South Bend, is shown in the spring of 1917.
The choir of Olivet AME Church, then located at 310 W. Monroe St., South Bend, is shown in the spring of 1917.

The church was added to the Indiana Register of Historic Places. Read more

Feb. 18, 2023

Pinhook Park — circa 1940s

A July 1937 aerial view of the newly created Pinhook Park and Lagoon, shortly after the project was completed. The view is to the north, with the new channel of the St. Joseph River visible at right. Pinhook Park is in the center.
A July 1937 aerial view of the newly created Pinhook Park and Lagoon, shortly after the project was completed. The view is to the north, with the new channel of the St. Joseph River visible at right. Pinhook Park is in the center.

City-owned swimming facilities denied African American people their right to enter, so many swam at Pinhook. Read more

Feb. 17, 2023

Barbara Vance Brandy denied entry to Engman Public Natatorium

Barbara Vance Brandy, a local symbol of Civil Rights progress, died Tuesday at age 84. TRIBUNE FILE PHOTO
Barbara Vance Brandy, a local symbol of Civil Rights progress, died Tuesday at age 84. TRIBUNE FILE PHOTO

Despite the word “public” engraved into the edifice, the Natatorium was segregated by day. Read more

Feb. 16, 2023

Black Expo offers community Juneteenth celebration — 1999-present

Visitors gather for opening remarks at the Juneteenth celebration at LaSalle Park in South Bend on Saturday.
Visitors gather for opening remarks at the Juneteenth celebration at LaSalle Park in South Bend on Saturday.

The local celebration of Juneteenth came long before it became a national holiday. Read more

Feb. 15, 2023

Better Homes of South Bend organizes — 1950

A new state historical marker commemorates the Better Homes of South Bend housing development. Tribune Photo/ROBERT FRANKLIN
A new state historical marker commemorates the Better Homes of South Bend housing development. Tribune Photo/ROBERT FRANKLIN

A group of Studebaker employees joined together to form a housing cooperative. Read more

Feb. 14, 2023

First Black teachers at Linden School — 1950

Linden School, shown here in 1969, was the focus of a 1967 federal lawsuit charging the South Bend Community School Corp. with de facto segregation. The case was dismissed after a day and a half of testimony, but it sparked the long effort to desegregate South Bend's schools.
Linden School, shown here in 1969, was the focus of a 1967 federal lawsuit charging the South Bend Community School Corp. with de facto segregation. The case was dismissed after a day and a half of testimony, but it sparked the long effort to desegregate South Bend's schools.

The South Bend school district drew boundaries to segregate Black students into Linden, where the first Black teachers were hired. Read more

Feb. 13, 2023

Fugitive slave case first heard in South Bend court — 1850

The cover of a book, released in 1873, on the South Bend fugitive slave case.
The cover of a book, released in 1873, on the South Bend fugitive slave case.

Lucy and David Powell and their children escaped their northern Kentucky enslaver, making their way through Indiana to Cassopolis, Mich. Read more

Feb. 12, 2023

South Bend's first Martin Luther King Jr. Drive — 2005

A portion of Chapin Street in South Bend was renamed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in 2005. SBT File Photo/MICHELE IVES
A portion of Chapin Street in South Bend was renamed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in 2005. SBT File Photo/MICHELE IVES

A stretch of Chapin Street was renamed to honor the civil rights icon. Read more

Feb. 11, 2023

Black History Month: Sit-in to protest police presence in schools — April 1968

February is Black History Month.
February is Black History Month.

Activists continue to challenge the role of police in schools today. Read more

Feb.10, 2023

First social study of the local Black community published — 1922

Rev. Buford F. Gordon and his wife, Thelma Pierce Gordon.
Rev. Buford F. Gordon and his wife, Thelma Pierce Gordon.

Published as "The Negro in South Bend," after several decades, the study was largely forgotten. Read more.

Feb. 9. 2023

Natatorium opens, denies entry to Black residents — 1922

In September 1968, Nettie Reiss, manager of the South Bend city natatorium, sits in the lifeguard chair near the swimming pool.
In September 1968, Nettie Reiss, manager of the South Bend city natatorium, sits in the lifeguard chair near the swimming pool.

The public swimming pool became the focus of local civil rights actions until it integrated. Read more.

Feb. 8, 2023

Central High School's basketball champs —1953, 1957

Members of the 1957 South Bend Central High School boys’ basketball team celebrate their state championship following a 30-0 season.
Members of the 1957 South Bend Central High School boys’ basketball team celebrate their state championship following a 30-0 season.

Central was one of the most integrated of all of South Bend's schools. Read more.

Feb. 7, 2023

Beck's Lake — circa 1920s to present day

Beck's Lake Tuesday, March 29, 2022 near LaSalle Park in South Bend.
Beck's Lake Tuesday, March 29, 2022 near LaSalle Park in South Bend.

'The Lake,' on South Bend's west side, was once a clean natural water feature. Read more.

Feb. 6, 2023

Billy "Stix" Nicks entertained a generation 1950s-2000s

Billy “Stix” Nicks performs Sunday with his band, The Motown Machine, at The Brick as the headliners for NewmanFest.Tribune File Photo/ANDREW S. HUGHES
Billy “Stix” Nicks performs Sunday with his band, The Motown Machine, at The Brick as the headliners for NewmanFest.Tribune File Photo/ANDREW S. HUGHES

The South Bend Central grad played drums with Motown's Junior Walker and the All-Stars and other groups. Read more.

Feb. 5, 2023

J. Chester Allen — circa 1930s to 1970s

He and his wife allied themselves with many local justice issues. Read more.

Feb. 4, 2023

Elizabeth Fletcher Allen — circa 1930s to 1970s

Elizabeth Fletcher Allen (1905-1994) was the first female African American lawyer in South Bend, as well as Indiana.
Elizabeth Fletcher Allen (1905-1994) was the first female African American lawyer in South Bend, as well as Indiana.

Decades before Ruth Bader Ginsberg championed the role of women in the legal profession, Allen set that precedent in South Bend. Read more.

Feb. 3, 2023

Hering House Community Center opens — 1925

A 1924 South Bend News-Times photo of a former Christian Science church on Division Street (later renamed Western Avenue) in South Bend that Frank and Claribel Hering purchased and paid to convert into a black cultural and social center. Opening in 1925, it was known as Hering House. Tribune photo archives
A 1924 South Bend News-Times photo of a former Christian Science church on Division Street (later renamed Western Avenue) in South Bend that Frank and Claribel Hering purchased and paid to convert into a black cultural and social center. Opening in 1925, it was known as Hering House. Tribune photo archives

A generation of African Americans in South Bend looked to Hering House to connect with neighbors. Read more.

Feb. 2, 2023

The Powell family moves to South Bend — 1858

John Charles Bryant donated a collection of portraits and artifacts from the Bryant and Powell families to the Northern Indiana Center for History Tuesday morning. 5/9/00
John Charles Bryant donated a collection of portraits and artifacts from the Bryant and Powell families to the Northern Indiana Center for History Tuesday morning. 5/9/00

This African American family's ancestry lasted into the 2020s. Read more.

Feb. 1, 2023

St. Augustine Catholic Church forms —1928

A local group listens to the history of St. Augustine Catholic Church during the launch of the African-American Landmark Tour by the Civil Rights Heritage Center in South Bend.
A local group listens to the history of St. Augustine Catholic Church during the launch of the African-American Landmark Tour by the Civil Rights Heritage Center in South Bend.

St. Augustine continues as a multiracial congregation practicing at the same location for nearly a century. Read more.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Twenty-eight days of South Bend Black history facts