City (pop., 2000: 107,789), northern Indiana, U.S. It is situated on the St. Joseph River.
The French established a fur-trading post at the site in 1820, which was later promoted as a European settlement. Its highly industrialized economy has roots in the pioneering companies founded there in the 19th century, including Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company (later an auto plant) and Singer Company, a sewing machine manufacturer. The central city has been dubbed Michiana because it serves as the trade and financial focus of southern Michigan as well as northern Indiana. Nearby is the University of Notre Dame .