Support & Help

Share Your Memories of the West Side

October 14, 2026 | By: Lindsay Taylor

Westside Connection

Photo of the original Z.B. Falcons building which was constructed in 1898. | SBT 8-18-1997

We are collecting audio stories about our community’s connection to West Side South Bend and the former Z.B. Falcons building in anticipation of the library’s new Western branch! Stories will be uploaded into the Share Your Story: Local & Family History Community Archives online collection. Stories in English and Spanish are welcome! Record and upload a story yourself, or reach out to record with the Storytelling Librarian. Call (574) 251-3708, email l.taylor@sjcpl.org, or use this form to set up an appointment with the Storytelling Librarian.

Make a Recording Appointment
St. Adalberts Church, South Bend, IN | ca. 1900s
The Western branch opened on Aug. 29. 1939 at 1924 W. Western Ave., South Bend, IN.  Librarian Inez Paul, right, and Asst. Librarian Lucille Goralczyk are shown. | 1939-08
La Casa de Amistad, “The House of Friendship,” has been reintroduced as a neighborhood center for the West Side of South Bend. The building, located at 746 S. Meade St., previously housed Kuberski’s Department Store. | 1982-02-21
Mayor Joseph Kernan of South Bend is seen speaking to a group of constituents about the West Washington-Chapin Revitalization Project. | 1988-07-27

Michiana Memory Oral History Collection

Find inspiration for telling your story in our Oral History Collection.

Oral History Book List

Explore this collection to learn how to collect your own stories and your family’s stories to preserve for future generations!

Storytellebration Zine