The Origin
In the mid-1800s, this neighborhood grew alongside the newly founded city of South Bend and the University of Notre Dame. Its location near riverfront factories and campus made it ideal for housing.
Before long, the city annexed two platted villages: Lowell and Sorinsville, the latter named for Notre Dame’s founder, Rev. Edward Sorin, C.S.C., who established an enclave for campus laborers, mostly bricklayers and carpenters.
Map courtesy of St. Joe County Public Library
The Early Settlers
Catholic immigrants were drawn to the region for jobs, property, education for their children, and regular church services held at nearby St. Alexis Parish (now St. Joseph Parish), also founded by Father Sorin.
Irish and German immigrants arrived first, with Italian families settling here in the early 1900s. Vestiges of South Bend’s “Little Italy” remain in the Northeast Neighborhood, including Sunny Italy and Rocco’s Pizza.
Postcard courtesy of The History Museum, South Bend, Indiana
The Great Migration
Between 1910 and 1970, six million African Americans fled the Jim Crow South for northern industrial cities where jobs were plentiful.
Black families faced discrimination in the north too, like redlining. Dreams of home ownership here were realized thanks to the efforts of people like William R. Morris, South Bend’s first Black real estate broker who developed the Chalfant Heights subdivision along Twyckenham Boulevard.
Residents brought black churches to the neighborhood which remain active—First AME Zion, Greater Holy Temple, Olivet AME and Mount Olive Baptist Church.
Photo courtesy of the Studebaker National Museum
The Revitalization
Mid-century industrial job losses contributed to poverty, criminal activity, and neglect of properties throughout the city. In 2000 the Northeast Neighborhood Revitalization Organization was formed with financing from the city, Notre Dame, and neighborhood-adjacent medical centers. The nonprofit—dedicated to facilitating redevelopment and fostering diversity within the neighborhood—helped make projects like Eddy Street Commons and new and affordable home ownership possible for many residents.
The Future
A modern revitalization of the neighborhood is still underway. The NNRO and the Northeast Neighborhood Council work with the city of South Bend and developers to turn vacant lots into vibrant housing, mixed-use developments, and enhanced park spaces. Even as the economic development continues, the NNRO works to preserve low-income homeownership.
Where To Find Us
The Northeast Neighborhood is in the northeast quadrant of South Bend and is roughly bounded by Angela Boulevard on the north, Twyckenham Drive on the east, LaSalle Avenue on the south, and Niles Avenue and Michigan Street on the west.
Places in the Neighborhood
Wander this neighborhood and you’ll get a sense of its history. There are four legacy Black churches, a Catholic parish with the same founder as Notre Dame, and Rocco’s Pizza, a neighborhood and Notre Dame favorite for more than 75 years.
There are also modern conveniences like the Link Trail and Eddy Street Commons—a modern mixed-use development with hotels, apartments, restaurants, and more. Plus, you are steps away from the East Bank Village where you’ll find Howard Park and even more restaurants.
Faith and Community
Neighborhoods and Development
Affordable Housing Programs
Parks and Places
Neighborhood Associations
Northeast Neighborhood Revitalization Organization (NNRO)
