Historic Navarre Cabin Relocation to Cause Road Closures in South Bend

Navarre Cabin has been placed on wheels ahead of the relocation to the History MuseumPhoto byWSBT 22 Photo

One of St. Joseph County's oldest structures, the Navarre Cabin, is set to find a new home on Wednesday. The 200-year-old cabin will be relocated from Leeper Park to the History Museum in South Bend. This significant event marks the cabin's sixth move in its storied past, with preparations for this latest relocation spanning over a decade.

The relocation process will begin at 9 a.m. as the cabin is carefully mounted on a rig for transport. Moving the cabin just a mile and a half to its new location will take approximately two hours. During this time, trees will need to be trimmed and street lights temporarily removed to accommodate the cabin’s journey.

Brian Harding, the executive director of the History Museum, expressed enthusiasm for the move, noting its potential to enhance the museum's educational offerings. "Traditionally, the History Museum has held a Cabin Days program out in Leeper Park, but that has unfortunately only been able to have been done for a few days a year. Three or four days during the year. But to have the cabin actually here on campus, we're excited to be able to have programming regularly, on a daily basis," Harding said.

The Cabin Days program, which usually opens for just a few days each year, will now have the opportunity to expand significantly. This move represents the first phase in the museum’s plans to provide daily programming centered around the historic cabin.

As the cabin makes its way through downtown South Bend, several roads will be closed to ensure a smooth transition. Major streets such as Washington and Lafayette will be impacted, with a short closure also expected on Michigan Street. County police will be on hand to direct traffic and ensure safety as the cabin passes through intersections.

Residents and visitors are advised to plan their routes accordingly to avoid delays and to witness a piece of local history on the move.