The City of South Bend has completed demolition work at the former South Bend Range Company factory on Cherry Street, marking a significant step toward eliminating a long-vacant industrial property and preparing the site for future redevelopment.

City officials say the property was acquired through a tax sale in 2024 at no cost to the city. Demolition began in January and cost approximately $595,000.

A second phase of cleanup work is expected later this year to remove additional debris and continue environmental remediation efforts at the site.

The factory building had reportedly sat vacant since 2001. Part of the structure, specifically the southern half, was previously demolished in 2012.

The site’s industrial history dates back to 1907, when the Malleable Steel Range Manufacturing Company relocated to 133 Cherry Street. The company manufactured coal- and wood-fired kitchen ranges before later becoming known as South Bend Range. Over time, the business expanded into commercial cooking equipment for hotels and restaurants and also produced equipment for the U.S. military during World War II.

In 1982, the company merged with Escan Metal Canada Ltd. and became South Bend Escan Corporation. Operations were moved to North Carolina the following year.

Several other manufacturers later occupied the property, including South Bend Metal Processing, a stainless steel manufacturer that operated there from the mid-1980s through 1997. Other tenants included a wire harness manufacturer, machine shop and auto repair businesses before the property was largely abandoned around 2000.

City officials also noted that cleanup efforts in 2025 included the removal of more than 70 deteriorated 55-gallon drums from the site.