A New Print Collection Depicting South Bend in 1919
In 1919, J. J. McVicker of Chicago published the Pictorial Souvenir of South Bend to show a complete portrayal of South Bend as an unsurpassed city in which to locate businesses and build homes. His writing tells stories of the city's grandeur:
No efforts have been spared to make this book a complete portrayal of South Bend, and a work of art, and it is the opinion of the city officials, who are to be given credit for this handsome civic publication, that it will serve well the purpose intended, proving a stimulant to commerce and showing to prospective investors and capitalists a true view of South Bend as an unsurpassed city in which to locate their businesses and build their homes.
Alongside the stories are striking photographs of the city as it stood in the early 20th century amid booming population and economic growth.
So this week on the West.SB shop, we are releasing a collection of these photographs as large-scale prints for the modern-day South Bend home.
The prints depict Michigan Street Bridge, Howard Park, The Basilica of the Sacred Heart, The Studebaker Fountain, and Main Street, each bearing its original title.
