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The City
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Mishawaka, known as the "Princess City," gets its name from a local legend about a Shawnee Native American princess. According to the story, she was kidnapped and attacked by a jealous Pottawatomie man named Grey Wolf, only to be saved by Deadshot, a white trapper she loved. Though the tale is likely more myth than history, her name lives on, commemorated by a bronze marker in Lincoln Park, one of the city's 29 parks.
The city’s roots trace back to the early 1800s when bog iron deposits were discovered, leading to the establishment of St. Joseph Iron Works. In 1833, Mishawaka was officially formed through the merger of St. Joseph Iron Works, Indiana City, and two other small towns. Iron mining fueled the local economy until the mid-19th century, when the industry shifted to manufacturing, a sector that still plays a major role today. Key industries in Mishawaka include healthcare (Bayer Inc.), manufacturing (Dodge Manufacturing Co., Nyloncroft, and Janco Engineered Products), agriculture, and transportation. The city's location along the St. Joseph River, major rail lines, and the intersection of Interstates 80 and 90 makes it a key hub for moving goods. Mishawaka is also home to Bethel College and sits just a short drive from the University of Notre Dame, adding to its educational and cultural influence.
The city’s roots trace back to the early 1800s when bog iron deposits were discovered, leading to the establishment of St. Joseph Iron Works. In 1833, Mishawaka was officially formed through the merger of St. Joseph Iron Works, Indiana City, and two other small towns. Iron mining fueled the local economy until the mid-19th century, when the industry shifted to manufacturing, a sector that still plays a major role today. Key industries in Mishawaka include healthcare (Bayer Inc.), manufacturing (Dodge Manufacturing Co., Nyloncroft, and Janco Engineered Products), agriculture, and transportation. The city's location along the St. Joseph River, major rail lines, and the intersection of Interstates 80 and 90 makes it a key hub for moving goods. Mishawaka is also home to Bethel College and sits just a short drive from the University of Notre Dame, adding to its educational and cultural influence.