The St. Joseph River runs through the city of South Bend, Indiana.The river provided power to companies such as the Studebaker and Oliver Chilled Plow factories, whose industries were vital to the prosperity of South Bend. The flowing water also provided power to saw mills near the downtown area. The river was crucial to keep production running.
What was once a means to increase industry, now serves as a means of recreation. In a post- industrial era, the city has used parts of the river to bring in tourism and commerce. During the Civil War, channels of the river were filled in to allow land to level. Soil was removed in 1973 to create the East Race was renovating the once prized channel along the east banks.
The 2,000 feet of raceway was made possible through tax payer funds. Today the raceway serves as a place for locals to kayak down the river, but also serves as a training course for Olympic whitewater kayakers. Since the opening of the East Race in 1984, shops, restaurants, and apartments have been built around the East Race due to the many visitors that walk along river pathways.
Sources:
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/east-race-waterway
https://www.southbendtribune.com/news/local/keynews/localeconomy/east-race-waterway-celebrates-years/article_553a15b8-f0b4-11e2-a654-001a4bcf6878.html
https://visitsouthbend.com/white-water-rafting-in-downtown-south-bend/
Emily Reth
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