Articles by Josh Lange

By Joshua Lange

In 1915, there was a scheme that was brewing in Indiana. South Bend politicians wanted to annex the City of Mishawaka and lobbied for the idea publicly. This was not the first time this happened, as a decade earlier, the same plan was pushed and failed. Realistically, this annexation plot was nothing more than political theater that was doomed to fail again, however, it created an unintended side effect, boosting Mishawaka patriotism, and creating more “Mishawaka Nationalism.” The Mishawaka Businessmen’s Association and other groups within the city started putting out anti-annexation and pro-Mishawakan independence advertising to rally the city and its residents.

One comic sketch that was put out during this time really stood out to me. Pro-Mishawaka advocates commissioned an artist named “Fries” to make this wonderful sketch that was reminiscent of lady liberty. I liked it so much, I felt I had to recreate it. Working with my talented artist friend, Sadie Campbell, re-sketching the comic, making minor fixes to printing errors, adding slight changes, colorizing, and polishing it, we turned this 110-year-old sketch into a magnificent work of art.

I am thrilled and honored to announce that InRugCo (https://indianarugco.com) is now producing a line of postcards using our design. If the postcards sell well, they may produce shirts and posters, so my message to you is feel free to purchase as many as you like!!!

Sadie and I decided to forgo any personal profit and instead have our percentage of proceeds go directly to the Mishawaka Historical Museum (https://mishawakamuseum.org). The profits will go to a small local business and the museum, two wonderful places!

The reason I wanted to create this poster in the first place was to promote Mishawaka culture and heritage. This sketch was used along with other sketches to rally Mishawakans using “Lady Mishawaka” or “The Spirit of Mishawaka” holding the phrase “Here’s to a Bigger, Busier, and Better Mishawaka” a motto that Mishawakans still live by to this day by growing and improving the city! Our founder, Alanson Hurd, would be so proud to see how Mishawaka is still prospering 132 years later.

InRugCo is a wonderful locally owned small business that produces very neat products, and I shop there often. I recommend all Mishawakans to shop locally as much as possible, as it helps the local economy so much more than going to large corporations not affiliated with the area. We also should promote and learn Mishawaka history at places such as the Mishawaka Historical Museum. Mishawaka is the best hometown in America, and I am proud to be a 7^th generation Mishawakan.