Mishawaka History Timeline
1679
First settler, LaSalle, arrives in the area.
1800
Native American wars begin involving the Shawnees, Potowatomi and Ottawa tribes; Princess Mishawaka was involved in these wars.
1820
Site of Native American village Mish-a-wa-ka at the rapids.
1833
Saint Joseph Iron Works is established as a village.
1838
February 7: The Indiana General Assembly combines all four plats/villages under the name of Mishawaka.
1839
First brewery opens. Later in 1887, the brewery becomes Kamm & Schellinger Brewery.
1859
June 27: Great Mishawaka Train Wreck, in which 32 people are killed near the present-day intersection of Ironwood and Lincoln Way West.
1872
September 5: Mishawaka Fire destroys 42 buildings between First and Third streets and Spring and Race streets.
1878
William and Wallace Dodge form the “Magic Jack Company,” which later evolved into the Dodge Manufacturing Company, a maker of power transmissions.
1878
Adolphus Eberhart and Martin Van Beiger create the all-knit woolen boot, causing growth of the Mishawaka Woolen Company, which later became Ball Band.
1880
The Battell family gives Battell Park to the city. Battell Park is the city’s oldest park.
1884
City dedicates Civil War statue in Battell Park.
1899
The village of Mishawaka votes to incorporate into a city; Manuel M. Fisher elected the first mayor (May 8)
1903
Mishawaka Public Utilities Company organized
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
Sister City Declaration with Shiojiri, Japan
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
2008
Saint Joseph Health Systems opened a $355 million dollar, 658,000 square foot hospital on Holy Cross Parkway
2015
City of Mishawaka becomes debt free after carrying continuous General Obligation Bond Debt for over 100 years;
Central Park renovated to include a series of shelters, play equipment and a programmable fountain
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