Michiana ~ Come on, see what's here!

Ranked #7,346 in Travel & Places, #198,183 overall

Michiana ... So, Where is it? What is it?

Michiana... I have lived in Michiana my whole life. I was raised in Dowagiac, MI and now I live in Niles, MI. Soon after I graduated from college I began working as an advertising executive for an entertainment newspaper that is no longer published called Michiana NOW. I often found myself having to explain to people what Michiana meant. I would actually sometimes have to pull out a map and show the areas where the publication was distributed. I thought it would be a good lens to make!

I have even been on trips and talking to strangers and find myself saying, "I'm from Michiana" knowing just as it comes out of my mouth that an explanation will soon follow. Often people from outside Michiana think it is a city. Our largest local airport was even called Michiana Regional for some time but it has now changed to South Bend Regional--probably so people can find it easier I am not really sure.

The picture shown here outlines the counties included in Michiana from the South Bend Chamber of Commerce. However, I did find other represtations showing other counties are included.

The photo and the following information was retrived from Wikipedia.org on June 19, 2008.

Michiana ...

"Michigan & Indiana ~ Oh, I get it!"

Counties that are Part of Michiana

includes 15 counties in Michigan & Indiana

The Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County (Indiana) defines Greater Michiana as "counties within a 60-mile driving distance to St. Joseph County" that are not included in the seven counties making up Michiana "proper." However, the driving distance presumably refers to the distance between the metropolitan South Bend area and significant population centers in outlying areas, since a strict definition allowing for 60 miles from any point in St. Joseph County would add even more counties to the Greater Michiana area. For example, Walkerton in southwestern St. Joseph County is located approximately 30 miles from Monterey in northeastern Pulaski County, yet Pulaski is not included in the Chamber's list of Greater Michiana counties.

It should be noted that because Michiana is not a legal or political entity, opinions differ about what counties and communities actually constitute the region. Some definitions of the entire Michiana area include fewer than 15 counties; others include Pulaski County and exclude some other outlying counties, notably those in extreme Northwest Indiana, whose residents identify more closely with Chicago than with the South Bend area.

From: Wikipedia.org

Michigan

Berrien County
Cass County
St. Joseph County
Van Buren County

Indiana

Elkhart County
Fulton County
Kosciusko County
LaGrange County
Lake County
La Porte County
Marshall County
Noble County
Porter County
St. Joseph County
Starke County

What County do you currently live in?

Loading poll. Please Wait...

Restaurants in Michiana

Legends of Notre Dame
A Restaurant and Alehouse Pub on Notre Dame's campus that is open to the public. Great location with lots of parking close by.
Woodfire - Dowagiac, MI
Fine dining, romantic jazz. Italian cuisine with more than half of the menu baked in their own traditional wood fired oven.

Community Resources in Michiana

Michiana Down Syndrome Home Page
Down Syndrome Family Support and Advocacy Group Serving the Michiana Area
Resources for Michiana Youth
Ever need help with homework? Need to find an after school activity to become a member? Want to find a great club? Or even help with paying for college? Parents... do you need help finding things for your kids to do?Then you have come to the right place... read on and enjoy!
South Bend Regional Airport
South Bend Regional Airport, your destination for air, train, and bus travel in South Bend, Indiana.
Michiana Watershed, Inc.
The general mission of Michiana Watershed, Inc. is to encourage groups and agencies in the Watershed to engage in projects which result in the improvement and conservation of the environment and natural resources in the Michiana community.
South Bend Area Genealogical Society Page
Lots of great links & resources for the South Bend Area
MomsMichiana.com
A local Michiana Online Resource for parents & grandparents.
South Bend Parks & Recreation
South Bend Parks & Recreation The Official Website of the South Bend Parks & Recreation "We Build Community through People, Parks & Programs". Special Events Activity Guide Kids 0-5 Years Tweens-Teens Adults.
Kroc Community Center - South Bend, IN
The 110,000 square-foot South Bend Kroc Center redefines what a community center is all about. This unprecedented place of gathering and enrichment houses an array of education, sports, faith, arts and supportive programs to deliver a world class experience. The programs, as well as the building itself, have been designed to stimulate the mind, body and spirit, to provide hope, and to transform the life of each and every member of the community.

Things to do in Michiana with the family

St. Joseph County Parks, Home Page
This is a great resource for Michiana (Indiana & Michigan) families. Lots to do any time of the year.
YMCA of Michiana
The YMCA is a membership organization, welcoming all as a member of the YMCA, you are entitled to many privileges to help you achieve your wellness goals. Your Full Privilege Membership (FPM) permits usage of the facility during all open hours in accordance with program schedules.
Hesston Steam Museum Events
Train rides every summer weekend at the Hesston Steam Museum.
Come ride one of 3 real steam trains..Fall Colors Take a Steam Train Ride through the
woods along the Indiana Michigan border. Near Chicago Illinois in Northern Indiana near Southwestern Michigan.

Businesses in Michiana

Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Inc - Shoppers
They are great. I love shopping there & donating my stuff too.
Women Business Owners of Michiana
An association of businesswomen dedicated to providing service to each member's business through networking, referrals, and promotion; and to providing professional development to the individual member through education, information, sharing and support.
Bridges to Digital Excellence
BDE is a 501c3 charity organization committed to properly recycling your old/broken electronics.

Michiana TV & Radio

WNDU - Home Your Severe Weather Station, South Bend, Indiana News, Weather, Sports, Notre Dame News, StormTeam 16
Your Severe Weather Station, South Bend, Indiana News, Weather, Sports, Notre Dame News, StormTeam 16
WSBT-TV
Your Local news leader.
WNIT Public Television
PBS.org|PBS Kids|PBS Teachers Television worthy of your trust. Support WNIT, Local Productions, Community, Education, Family, Programs, Program Highlights & more
Fox 28: South Bend, Elkhart IN News, Weather, Sports -HOME
Local tv news
Sunny 101.5 Radio
Local radio station that plays oldies. Love them!

Michiana Books & References

on Amazon...

Loading

News for the Michiana Area

WSBT-TV Article
Michiana area wants to use "Community Currency" Interesting concept!
Michiana Weather
Weather information for the Michiana Area. Includes live webcam, radar, forecasts, warnings, and NOAA weather radio.

Some of my personal lenses that are related to Michiana

and one of my mom's that I helped her make

Loading

Michiana YouTube vids

Loading

You too can join Squidoo...

If you have not joined Squidoo yet you can join from here right now. It will open up a new window so you will be here when you are done.

Click here to make your 1st lens

After you join you can comment below and it will link back to your lensmaster profile so others can see what you are writing about. Get noticed today!

What are your thoughts about Michiana? Your thoughts about this lens?

(If you want your picture to show up--you have to go up and join Squidoo first--in the module above this one.)

  • michigancharterfishing May 12, 2010 @ 10:16 am | delete
    Michigan is an awesome place to live. What I most like in Michigan is Lake Michigan Charter Fishing.
  • E.J. Jun 20, 2009 @ 9:15 am | delete
    Ok So i just moved myself and my business to Niles (Colorful Stitches Screen Printing and Embroidery)..... I am from Northern Michigan, By the Mackinaw Bridge, so this is big change for me..... But I love it. I never heard of Michiana till i moved here. Very Cool.

    Visit my Website http://www.colorfulstitch.com
  • johnrapp Apr 27, 2009 @ 5:12 pm | delete
    Hey, I've shot some video for a guy in Michiana a few times. His name's Jason Jolliff, with J. Digital Productions. Check him out if you need any video stuff, he's really good. I'm actually using his old computer to type this!

    John Rapp
    Sign up for now for Affiliate Marketing Coaching
  • BarbRad Apr 6, 2009 @ 3:29 pm | delete
    I confess I had never heard of Michiana, so I learned something today. Thanks.
  • OhMe Mar 7, 2009 @ 10:55 am | delete
    Oh me! I have never been to Indiana or Michigan so know that I have missed a lot. This lens is a great resource for locals and visitors. Wonderful job. I do enjoy the local lenses.
  • marsha32 Nov 15, 2008 @ 8:38 pm | delete
    nicely done :)
  • poddys Nov 11, 2008 @ 10:38 pm | delete
    CONGRATULATIONS. Your lens has been added as a featured lens on my "I've Been There" lens. Only lenses that are worthy get listed, I'm so pleased you made it.

    If you haven't seen my lens yet, I invite you to take a peek at http://www.squidoo.com/ive_been_there and to send in your entry for places that you have been.
  • mulberry Oct 29, 2008 @ 2:25 am | delete
    Stopped by to check out your Michiana lens, it's great stuff. Lensrolled you too!
  • poddys Jul 24, 2008 @ 10:03 pm | delete
    I lived in South Bend for 12 years. It's a great place to live. Notre Dame, Lake Michigan, Amish Country - you can't beat it. 5*****
  • purpleladymom Jul 7, 2008 @ 12:19 pm | delete
    I live in Michiana too. Great lens.

Got a Michiana link you want me to add here?

Add it below or go to contact me at my bio picture above in the right corner and send me a message. I will add it to this lens under the proper category.

Thanks!
Local Newspapers
for Niles, Dowagiac, Cass, & Edwardsburg

Michiana in the News

Updated every hour

Michiana couple honored Friday night
A Michiana couple was remembered Friday night, more than two years after their lives were cut short in a shocking murder that has yet to be solved. As you may remember, Carolyn and John Tarwacki were found murdered inside their Niles home in February ...
Fight club Michiana style
The Michiana Fight League put on one of their mixed martial arts events. Sixty fighters from all across Michiana came together to throw some punches. Organizers just can't believe how popular this sport is becoming. " We try to create a venue so that ...
Michiana art center needs your help with repair
By Adam Ziegler, Internet Director - email Two-hundred individually blown pieces of glass make up the Beacon Gold Chandelier. The bumblebee yellow sculpture designed by Dale Chihuly welcomes visitors to the Krasl Art Center in St. Joseph, Michigan.
Crazy weather grows concern among Michiana farmers
By Kristin Bien (kbien@wsbt.com) In March, 80 degree temperatures, then freezing temperatures in April and now drought conditions throughout much of the area are taking a major toll on farmers. It seems, there are two types of crops this year for fruit ...

About the author of this lens...

Loading

by

Teddi14

I'm married & I'm a mother to a wonderful son! I teach 7th &... more »

Feeling creative? Create a Lens!