Mishawaka's History Timeline

1679

First white man, LaSalle, arrived in area

1800

Indian wars involving the Shawnees, Potowatomi, and Ottawa Tribes; Princess Mishawaka involved in war

1820

Indian village Mish-a-wa-ka at the rapids

1833

Saint Joseph Iron Works incorporated as a village

1838

The Indiana General Assembly combines all four plats/villages under the name of MISHAWAKA (February 7)

1839

First brewery opens. In 1887, becomes the Kamm & Schellinger Brewery

1859

Great Mishawaka Train Wreck Thirty-two people were killed near the present day intersection of Ironwood and Lincoln Way West. (June 27)

1872

Mishawaka Fire. The fire destroyed forty-two buildings between First and Third Streets and Spring and Race Streets. (September 5)

1878

William and Wallace Dodge formed the "Magic Jack Company" which later evolved into the Dodge Manufacturing Company, a maker of power transmissions.

1878

All-knit woolen boot created by Adolphus Eberhart and Martin Van Beiger causing the growth of the Mishawaka Woolen Company, which later became Ball Band.

1880

Battell Park given to the City by the Battell family. Battell Park is the city's oldest park.

1884

Civil War statue dedicated in Battell Park.

1899

The village of Mishawaka votes to incorporate into a city; Manuel M. Fisher elected the first mayor (May 8)

1903

1904

Simplex Motor Car Company was incorporated. In 1909, the name was changed to Amplex Motor Car Company. In 1911, two Amplex autos were entered into the first Indianapolis 500. One car crashed, killing its driver and causing the first race fatality, and the other car finished seventh and the driver won $800.00.

1928

World War I Memorial Band Shelter dedicated in Battell Park on Memorial Day

1930

Eberhart Golf Course opens. Petro Park added included into the golf course in 1949

1947

Normain Heights, a subdivision for WW II veterans, begins development north of McKinley Avenue

1952

City's first Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) begins

operation, treating sewage before returning it to the river.

1972

1979

University Park Mall opens

1993

Main Street Bridge over I-80/90 opens connecting Main Street from downtown to State Road #23

1987

Shiojiri Garden dedicated

1999

Mishawaka begins development of the Mishawaka River Center, the former site of the Uniroyal complex in downtown Mishawaka

2005

Robert C. Beutter Riverfront Park opens at River Center