Round the Bend Now and Then
by Matt Emery
Latest episode
The Footlocker That Came Home
The Footlocker That Came Home
About this podcast
Round the Bend Now and Then is hosted by local history storyteller Matt Emery, who brings the stories of South Bend and Mishawaka to life through conversations with the people who know them best. From local leaders and business owners to historians and lifelong residents, each episode uncovers the people, places, and moments that have shaped our community.
The podcast is just one part of the journey. Through on-location videos, historic photo comparisons, and short "History Right Under Our Noses" features shared across social media, Matt connects the past to the present - helping you discover the remarkable stories hidden in the places you pass every day.
New episodes are available on all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
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Episodes
The newest 20 of 62 episodes
- The Footlocker That Came Home · 50 min · Episode 62In 1944, Mishawaka’s Elizabeth Richardson left home to serve American troops overseas with the Red Cross during World War II. She would never make it home. But her footlocker…
- Lost Treasures of Indiana · 44 min · Episode 61In this episode, I meet with Joseph S. Pete, an award winning journalist and business reporter for The Times of Northwest Indiana. Joseph has spent years covering the businesses…
- A Hidden South Bend Love Story · 31 min · Episode 60In this episode, local historian and author Aaron Helman shares how a forgotten briefcase, filled with letters, photographs, postcards, and personal keepsakes, revealed an…
- The Story Behind "The Cove" - Revisited · 32 min · Episode 59This week, we’re revisiting one of the podcast’s early episodes: the story behind Four Winds Field. Better known to many longtime South Bend residents as “The Cove.” Originally…
- The Potawatomi Zoo · 43 min · Episode 58Potawatomi Zoo has been a beloved part of our community for over a century. In this episode, I sit down with Executive Director Josh Sisk to talk about his journey to leading…
- The Historic Rose Garden at Leeper Park · 37 min · Episode 57In this episode, I sit down with Larry Clifford to explore the rich history of the Rose Garden at Leeper Park. Over 10 years ago, Larry spearheaded an effort to "resurrect the…
- The Leeper Park Art Fair · 36 min · Episode 56For nearly 60 years, the Leeper Park Art Fair has brought artists, art lovers, and the community together beneath the trees of one of South Bend's most beautiful and historic…
- Drewry's Brewery · 42 min · Episode 55For decades, the massive Drewry’s Brewery complex on South Bend’s northwest side stood as one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Long after production stopped, the…
- Mishawaka's Lost Skyscraper · 1 h 12 min · Episode 54For a brief moment in the 1960's, downtown Mishawaka almost looked completely different. Plans were unveiled for Center Point Tower - a futuristic 33 story skyscraper featuring…
- The College Football Hall of Fame · 33 min · Episode 53In the early 1990s, South Bend took a bold swing, landing the College Football Hall of Fame with hopes of putting the city on the national stage and sparking new life in…
- From Ruin to Revival: The Beiger Mansion Story · 58 min · Episode 52If you’ve ever driven through downtown Mishawaka, you’ve likely passed 317 Lincolnway East... and probably slowed down to take it in. Even from the outside, it’s clear: This…
- Dillinger’s Last Heist: Chaos in Downtown South Bend · 32 min · Episode 51If you were alive in America in the early 1930s, there was one name that dominated newspaper headlines everywhere: John Dillinger. He wasn’t just a criminal - he was a national…
- Remembering Joe Kernan · 48 min · Episode 50Joe Kernan’s name is deeply woven into the story of South Bend. A Navy pilot and former prisoner of war, Kernan returned home and dedicated his life to serving the community he…
- The Lines Around Linden School · 33 min · Episode 49In this episode, we’re talking about a school, but not just any school, we’re talking about Linden School: A place where education, neighborhood boundaries, civil rights…
- The West Side Recreation Club · 30 min · Episode 48In this episode, we tell the story of 1415 West Washington Street, a building that’s easy to overlook today but for over 50 years served as the West Side Recreation Club, a vital…
- South Bend 100 Years Ago: 1926 · 48 min · Episode 47What was life really like in South Bend 100 years ago? In this episode, I sit down with local historian and author Aaron Helman to step back into 1926 South Bend - a year full of…
- Hometown Heroes · 56 min · Episode 46The main intent of this episode is simple: To honor heroes. Specifically, the heroes that served our country: Our United States veterans. This past Saturday, November 15th, 2025…
- Growing Up in 1960's River Park · 48 min · Episode 45This episode is a special one in that I meet with my father, Joel Emery, as he shares his memories from growing up in 1960's River Park. Over the years, my parents have shared…
- Mishawaka's Hooligan Heights Neighborhood · 47 min · Episode 44In this episode, I meet with local historian Susanna Ernst. You’ll learn ALL about a neighborhood that you might not find on any national historical registry, but the Mishawaka…
- CJ's Pub · 44 min · Episode 43CJ's Pub opened their doors near downtown South Bend in 1984 and 41 years later, they are still serving up their legendary pub burgers and cold beer to generations of patrons. In…
