Studebaker
In 1852 the
Studebaker brothers built their first small business. It was a blacksmith shop
located in the heart of South Bend but soon they began building farm wagons
and the business grew slowly until the Civil War. (Over the years the company's
name changed several times. ) The Civil War's demand for wagons, ambulances,
etc. put a strain on Stubebaker's production and they began to look for labor
outside of the city. They also moved their manufacturing facilities to the southwest
end of town, encompassing an area between Western Avenue and Sample Street,
and Main Street to Walnut Street. By the 1870's the westward migration required
sturdy covered wagons and farm wagons and Studebaker was a major manufacturer
with sales offices all throughout the West. The need for more workers caused
the company to go overseas to find a workforce. Many who came were German or
Polish. The company continued to make farm wagons until shortly after 1900 when
they began to make automobiles. The company grew steadily through the 1930's,
reaching its peak near the World War II years. Military demand for trucks and
other vehicles created a demand for more workers. This demand was met by many
ethnic groups, including African Americans trying to escape the hardships of
the deep South. By 1950 the company was beginning to suffer many economic troubles,
and in 1966 the company closed.
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