South Bend

The area was first settled in the early 19th century by fur traders and was established as a city in 1865. The St. Joseph River shaped South Bend's economy through the mid-20th century. River access assisted heavy industrial development such as that of the Studebaker Corporation and the Oliver Chilled Plow Company.

Like other Rust Belt cities, South Bend has been affected by population and industrial decline since the 1960s. This has been chiefly due to the demise of Studebaker, migration to suburban areas, and the loss of other heavy industry. However, in recent years, there have been successful efforts to invest in and revitalize blighted areas of the city. Today, the largest industries in South Bend are health care, education, small business, and tourism. The city is home to manufacturer AM General and financial services company 1st Source.