Western Avenue – East of the Viaduct

Western Avenue is one of the most significant roads in South Bend. Once the center of blue collar life on the West Side, it is now home to a growing number of Latino businesses and acts as the gateway to South Bend from the West. 

Today's photo journey travels down a piece of Western Avenue between downtown and the viaduct at Walnut Street. This strip has visual similarities to our story on Indiana Avenue but is distinct in how many buildings remain standing. I began my stroll near Laurel Street – here is what I saw: 

As I was walking and shooting I captured the scene live on the @West.SB Instagram Story. To my surprise, a woman from Indianapolis replied that he father owned the building below for a couple decades. I love the connections we can form when we tell South Bend's story loudly and publicly.