History of Twin Branch Elementary School

A one-room building was built where Vistula road branches north from Lincolnway East – date unknown. It was condemned in 1916.

Land was purchased in 1919 and a two-room school was built at 3810 Lincolnway East. Enrollment increased in 1920, forcing an addition of two more classrooms and basement facilities. The school was part of Penn Township School Systems.

Interesting fact: the hot lunch program at Twin branch began in 1921. Parents prepared the hot meals in their homes and older students carried the food to school. The teachers served meals to the students.

In 1927, the City of Mishawaka annexed a tract of land eastward and purchased Twin Branch School from Penn Township. Kindergarten was added in 1946.

Ground was broken in 1950 for a new school with six classrooms, offices, kitchen facilities, and a gymnasium. An eight-room unit of classrooms and guidance offices were built around the original structure in 1962.

The glaciers melting off at the close of the Ice Age formed two great rivers converging near this territory. After the ice dam melted, the Saint Joseph River was formed. Since the early 1800’s, because of the river’s history, the area was referred to on all records as the Twin Branches. Twin Branch School is named for the area where it is located.