Main Street Stories: Tippecanoe Place

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- A generational restaurant in a historic house, Tippecanoe Place offers memories of new and old to all who walk through its doors.

The 40-room mansion was built from 1885-1889 for Clement Studebaker.

The Studebaker family, one of the most successful in South Bend's history, were the inventors of the Studebaker covered Conestoga wagon and later the Studebaker electric automobile.

"The house itself is amazing," shared Kevin Jakel, Owner and Manager of Tippecanoe Place. "We say Clem said yes to everything when he built it."

In 1941 the vacant property was purchased by E.M. Morris for $20,000 and handed over to the South Bend Board of Education to be used as a school for handicapped children, but from 1941 to 1946 the property was commissioned to be used by the Red Cross to support World War II efforts.

From 1947 to 1970 the mansion was occupied by the E.M. Morris School for Crippled Children, until it was used as school offices and administration.

The property would then fall into the hands of Southhold Restorations and be purchased by Continental Restaurant Systems in 1979. Continental spent $2 million restoring the mansion and converting it into a restaurant.

While the furnishings might not be original, the house still has many original, intricate details.

"How the house looks today is pretty much how it looked 140 years ago," added Jakel.

The formal dining room in the lower-level features leather ceilings as well as original chandeliers.

Every fireplace in the mansion is uniquely different, featuring uniquely stamped cast iron plates in the back. While I was searching, I noticed a dragon on one and a phoenix on another.

"It was four years to build the house, it was two and a half years to build the grand staircase."

Tippecanoe also has the oldest operational elevator in Indiana.

As you walk through the house, you will find photographs hanging on the walls. Some include special guests of the Studebaker family, to include famous inventor, Thomas Edison.

Next to that photo, legendary Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne, who was the very first automobile spokesman, and took part-time work at Studebaker's sales department until his death.

"Over the course of time, you know, you always find something unique or different. Every month or so you see something you never saw, and I've been here 10 years," shared Jakel.

Jakel and I walked the perimeter of the 40-room house as he pointed out different animals and faces that can be seen in the stonework.

'The house is magical in the respect that somehow it can do so much in a short amount of time for so many people," added Chris Caulfield, Jakel's "right-hand man" at the restaurant.

Each of the four levels features rooms that can be rented out. The restaurant also hosts themed Murder Mystery dinners, Escape Rooms, holiday buffets and décor, and the largest addition of all, Studebaker Brewing Co.

The brewery was added in 2018, though Studebaker Brewing Co. is now expanding to New Carlisle. The mansion will still feature a tasting room and brewpub, but the main brewery and production will be relocated to the new property.

'The beer will be made over there, about doubling the size of our brewery. And we hope to capitalize on the growth of the west side."

Though Tippecanoe Place has added modern features, the restaurant has remained a staple in downtown South Bend due to its classic menu and charming atmosphere.

 'They've done prime rib for 44 years now. Every day," said Jakel.

I suspect the prime rib, hops, and history will be bringing loyal customers back for generations to come.

Learn more about Tippecanoe Place.