Edgewater Place
Local Historic District, 1980
Edgewater Place was designated by ordinance as a Local Historic District in 1980. Occupying land that was originally outside the boundaries of South Bend, the marshy riverbank area was purchased by Alexis Coquillard in 1835. Local businessman Christopher W. Emerick purchased the land in 1845 and owned it through the 1860s.
In 1871, George A. Frantz began development of the neighborhood when he platted the southeast section along Vistula Road (now Lincoln Way East). Several houses were soon built in the plat, with mixed development of manufacturing and housing directly to the west. Abigail and William Harper platted their Harper Court addition in 1889, and Andrew Fuerbringer further developed the area with his plat in 1897. The final section of the Edgewater Place district was platted in 1919.
Edgewater Place was one of the first subdivisions developed by Whitcomb & Keller, who built homes for themselves in the neighborhood. Many of their employees lived here, as well as other South Bend businessmen and professionals.