More People is a new article and podcast series by Joe Molnar that will explore the process of how South Bend, which had grown for nearly its entire 120-year existence up to 1960, began a half century of decline.
In this episode, we discuss Joe's second article, "Suburbanization, not Studebaker" in which he pushes against the commonly held belief that South Bend was doomed to decline when Studebaker closes its doors. We also discuss the public response to the series so far, and some of the racist history wrapped up in the story of our city's population changes.
Read the series:
Introduction: How South Bend Lost 50,000 People in 50 Years
Part One: No Neighborhood in South Bend Avoided Decline
Part Two: Suburbanization, not Studebaker
Part Three: The Worst Decade in South Bend History
Part Four: Jobs Stayed in South Bend, but Employees Left
Part Five: The Great Annexation War of South Bend and Her Suburbs
Part Six: The Cost of South Bend's Decline
Part Seven: South Bend Survived
