After Clem Studebaker's death in 1901, son George and his family inherited the property. George went bankrupt in 1933. Furnishings were auctioned to pay debts and the mansion sat vacant until 1941.

It was purchased for less than 10% of the construction cost 50+ years earlier and saw various utilitarian uses until becoming an upscale restaurant in 1980.

Here a watercolor effect and springtime surroundings mask the tough luck of this house...echoed in the fates of Studebaker Corporation and South Bend.