Remember when? Local history sites keep South Bend's past alive, especially with photos.

Local history buffs, fans and admirers continue to flock to Facebook, YouTube, blogs and podcasts to learn. Plug in a city name, say South Bend, Elkhart or Niles, plus “history” or “remembered” in the search area and a visitor can find a new site to investigate.

Interesting old photos on restaurants, blizzards or parks are posted. Comments will follow about the places or events. The next post will lead to more comments or further information about the event. Someone will have a few more details about Robert Kennedy’s visit in 1968 or the Palm Sunday tornado in 1965.

The results? Local historians say there may be more interest and appreciation of local history. It is perhaps too early to tell, but let’s post a question on Facebook to gauge the appeal.

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Some buffs have turned to podcasts such as “Round the Bend Now and Then” to talk about history.

Jo McCoy, assistant director of Studebaker National Museum, said she is surprised to get phone calls from people who have a new interest in the history of the autos. “They come in to talk and walk around. The visitors are much younger than I expected.”

Travis Childs, St. Joseph County historian, said he posts photos and explanations to The History Museum's site. “We get a lot of photos from the public. No one from our past wrote down the names on the back. Once the photo is up, someone identifies the person or the place. Deep down, everyone is a sleuth. They all love a mystery. We throw a net out there, and we get a call or a response. The history sites and social media are very helpful.”

Richard Quinn is an avid supporter of the Studebaker National Museum and the cars. He lives in Mokena, Ill., and comes to South Bend frequently. He has 30,000 car photos and posts on several sites. “It doesn’t do any good if the photos aren’t seen.”

Ron Wilson has been the moderator of “History of South Bend/Mishawaka” for at least eight years. The site has 39,000 followers. A relative established the site, but it wasn’t getting much attention. “I love the site and love history. I reopened it, and it caught on.”

Ron said there is always interest in businesses and parks such as Springbrook in South Bend. That park later became Playland Park in 1925. “Some people don’t realize how popular it was, and the history. There was a pool there at one time. It later became a golf course and now it is housing for IUSB. The bleachers are still there on the southern edge of the field. That always gets a lot of attention.”

Other popular memories are of local businesses like Robertson’s Department Store, Wyman’s and Penney’s downtown, Ron said. “People are fascinated by the railroad system and the electric trolley cars that traveled through town. Those closed in the 1940s. The photos preserve that part of history.”

Ron said, when he was younger, he collected photos and stories. The Facebook page is a way to use his interests.

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Roberta Crawford is an administrator of History and Memories of Michiana. A self-proclaimed history fan, she loves the city, the Studebaker and Oliver families, and memories. She started posting on the page on a regular basis several years ago. Eventually, she was given the moderator post. In real life, she is retired. Previously working in radio and television and later motel management.

Today, she invests hours looking at Facebook. She looks for interesting photos, contacting moderators for reposts, checking comments and doing research on topics. She often checks descriptions with other history experts.

What works? What gets people commenting? What gives you hits? To her, people are tired of factory photos. However, the public loves restaurants and shopping. “People love their pizza restaurants. Recently, the peanut shop downtown and Star Store got a lot of comments. The movie 'Rudy' is popular.”

Theaters get a lot of attention on the history site. Roberta appreciates an old theater from her first working days. “First job was in an old vaudeville theater. It isn’t like today’s theaters that are boxes. The public shares the love of a great theater.”

From questions or comments, she will research or repost a historical nugget.

Facebook work is a form of entertainment for Roberta. “We share a memory or bring a smile to your face.”

Sometimes you can’t go home, but you can visit it through social media.

Contact Kathy at kfborlik@yahoo.com.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Local history popular via photo websites in South Bend area