Southbend history

1919 – United States Army Lieutenants Leigh S. Sellers and George McCabe “barnstorm” the area performing sensational aerial stunts.

In the early 1900’s cash was again available for promotion and building of mills. Therefore the second economic surge in the area occurred in Raymond, and its population became larger than that of South Bend, whose numbers had declined to about 2300 in 1920.

The South Bend Symphony, the Broadway Theater League, Southold Dance, and other community arts groups perform at the Morris Performing Arts Center, Indiana's oldest historic theater, built in 1922.

1928 – Pilots gather for the St Joe Valley Aviation Air Show to compete for the coveted Studebaker loving cup.

In 1929, South Bend International Airport saw its beginnings when Vincent Bendix, founder of the Bendix Aviation Corporation, purchased 610 acres northwest of South Bend, IN.

1931 – The inaugural Bendix Trophy airplane race from Los Angeles to Cleveland is won by Major James H. Doolittle.

1933 – In a ceremony attended by more than 20,000 spectators, Vincent Bendix christens the airport “Bendix Municipal Airport.”

1936 – Amelia Earhart lands her Lockheed Electra at Bendix Field just a few months before her aircraft disappeared in an attempted around-the-world flight.

1957 – A wildly cheering crowd of 3,000 welcomes home the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team after a 23-21 victory over Army.

1962 – Last Bendix Trophy race is won by Capt.

1967 – United Airlines inaugurates commercial jet service at the airport with a flight from South Bend to New York City by way of Fort Wayne, IN.

1974 – The St Joseph County Airport Authority is created and the airport’s name is changed to Michiana Regional Airport to reflect the regional nature of the airport.

1976 – The airport hosts the Michiana Regional Airport Air Show.

1992 – South Shore rail service begins at the airport.

1994 – A record number of airline passengers, totaling 859,230 are served at Michiana Regional Transportation Center.

Citizens, Politics, and Social Communication: Information and Influence in an Election Campaign (Cam-bridge Studies in Political Psychology). Cambridge University Press, 1995

United States rank in 2000: 236th (State rank: 5th)

2001 – A study shows that SBN has an economic impact of nearly $323 million, demonstrating that the airport is a key part of the economic health of the greater Michiana community and indicates it will be a major force in the region’s future growth and prosperity.

2003 – SBN commemorates the 100th anniversary of powered flight by welcoming a national air tour of 25 vintage airplanes to the airport and by hosting a community-wide celebration.

In 2004 Expansion Management magazine ranked South Bend—for the first time—among the 40 hottest real estate markets for business.

Features of the hospital's clinical services include a new weight loss and bariatric surgery center; the innovative Memorial Lighthouse Medical Imaging Center; and the new Leighton Heart and Vascular Center, scheduled to open in 2005.

2006 – SBN is a recipient of the Supplier Diversity Economic Empowerment Award from the Minority and Women Business Development Office of St Joseph County.

2012 – Allegiant adds nonstop service to Fort Myers/Punta Gorda in June and Frontier enters South Bend with nonstop service to Denver in October.

2014 – United States Customs and Border Protection grants SBN its international designation.

2017 – United States Customs and Border Protection welcomes the first international arrival through the General Aviation Facility on June 30, 2017.