Then & Now: A Downtown South Bend Architectural Walking Tour
A fun and informative guided walking tour of South Bend's landmark buildings, exploring their history and present-day use.
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Architectural walking tours take place on First Fridays from May through October.
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2024 tour dates are as follows:
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May 3
June 7
July 5
August 2
September 6
October 4
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Tour guide Steve Szaday with the St. Joseph County Department of Infrastructure, Planning, and Growth, in conjunction with Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County, will lead the evening tours, disclosing the visionaries, architects, and builders who helped bring the city’s treasures to life while also discussing the adaptive re-uses of many buildings and reliving the memories of those lost to urban renewal.
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Cost for these 90-minute tours are just $10/person (cash only.) Reservations can be made online below or by calling 574-282-1110.
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Occasionally we switch up our normal downtown historic walking tour. For the June 7, September 6, and October 4 First Fridays in 2024, we will tour the beautiful West Washington Street area, a National Register District showcasing an exemplary and eclectic blend of architectural styles and structures. Once home to influential citizens, titans of industry, civic leaders, and other prominent families; West Washington Street is now replete with businesses and residents valuing and preserving the fine architectural legacy left in their care by those preceding them.
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Downtown tours (May, July, and August First Fridays) meet at 6:00 at the American Trust Company clock, located at the corner of Washington St. and Michigan St., in front of Cafe Navarre.
West Washington tours (June, September, and October First Fridays) meet at 6:00 at the historic Ambassadors for Christ Church, 302 W. Washington St. (the southwest corner of Washington and Lafayette).
Self-guided tour: Can’t make it to a scheduled tour? Click here to download and print the brochure, enjoying the tour at your own pace. Brochures can also be picked up at the DTSB offices Monday – Friday between 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. DTSB offices are located at 217 S. Michigan St. Please note: the phone tour option mentioned in the brochure is no longer available.