3.13.2025

Are you enjoying the blue bird days (and 60+ degrees days!) we’ve been having?

Did you know that there was a semi-famous fire in Mishawaka in the 1800s?

On September 5, 1872, a devastating fire broke out in Mishawaka, Indiana, forever altering the town’s history. The fire started around 7:45 p.m. in a barn behind the Presbyterian Church on Second Street, now Lincolnway West. That day had been exceptionally dry, hot, and windy—conditions that fueled the fire’s rapid spread. Within hours, the blaze consumed much of Mishawaka’s business district, destroying 49 buildings, including shops, a bakery, a saloon, and even the town hall.

The fire left a significant portion of Mishawaka in ruins, causing economic and structural devastation. Three-quarters of the business district was lost, crippling local commerce. The town’s infrastructure suffered immensely, forcing residents and business owners to start from scratch. Despite the destruction, the community quickly banded together to rebuild.

This tragedy became a turning point for Mishawaka, as the town not only recovered but also attracted new industries. The rebuilding efforts led to the establishment of key businesses, including the Dodge Manufacturing Company, Perkins Windmills, and the Mishawaka Woolen and Rubber Company. These industries fueled the town’s economic revival and helped Mishawaka thrive in the years that followed. The Mishawaka Woolen and Rubber Company eventually became Ball Band and later Uniroyal, a company that played a crucial role in the town’s industrial growth.

The fire of 1872 was a defining moment in Mishawaka’s history. While it initially brought destruction and hardship, it also paved the way for the town’s transformation into a center of industry and innovation. Mishawaka’s resilience and determination turned a disaster into an opportunity, shaping the city into the prosperous community it became in the following decades.

Read more on the fire HERE

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