Fort Wayne, Indiana

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
City of Fort Wayne
Downtown Fort Wayne in May 2008
Downtown Fort Wayne in May 2008
Flag of City of Fort Wayne
Flag
Official seal of City of Fort Wayne
Seal
Nickname(s): The Summit City, The City That Saved Itself, The Fort[1]
Motto: Room for Dreams
Location in the state of Indiana, USA
Location in the state of Indiana, USA
Coordinates: 41°04′50″N 85°08′21″W / 41.08056, -85.13917
Country Flag of the United States United States
State Flag of Indiana Indiana
County Allen
French settlement 1680s
Founding October 22, 1794
Incorporated (town) 1829
Incorporated (city) February 22, 1840
Founder Jean François Hamtramck
Named for Gen. "Mad" Anthony Wayne
Government
 - Type Mayor-council government
 - Mayor Tom Henry
 - City Clerk Sandra Kennedy
 - City Council
Area
 - City 204.92 km² (79.12 sq mi)
 - Land 204.48 km² (78.95 sq mi)
 - Water 0.4 km² (0.15 sq mi)
 - Urban 350.30 km² (135.25 sq mi)
 - Metro 3,554 km² (1,368 sq mi)
Elevation 247 m (810 ft)
Population (2007)
 - City 251,247
 - Density 1,006.1/km² (2,605.7/sq mi)
 - Metro 570,779
Time zone EST (UTC-5)
 - Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP Code 468
Area code(s) 260
Twin Cities
 - Gera Flag of Germany Germany
 - Takaoka Flag of Japan Japan
 - Płock Flag of Poland Poland
FIPS code 18-25000[2]
GNIS feature ID 0434689[3]
Website: www.cityoffortwayne.org

Fort Wayne is a city in northeastern Indiana, United States and the county seat of Allen County. As of July 1, 2008, the city had an estimated population of 251,247, making it the 71st largest city in the United States.[4] Fort Wayne is Indiana's second largest city after Indianapolis.[5] In 2006, the combined population of the Fort Wayne Metropolitan Statistical Area was 570,779, making it the third largest metropolitan area in Indiana.[6]

Fort Wayne is within a 250-mile (400 km) radius of 17 percent of the total United States population and within a day's drive of half of the nation's population[7], along with sitting nearly equidistant from Chicago, Cincinnati, Columbus, Detroit, and Indianapolis.[8] Fort Wayne's economy has been primarily based on insurance, manufacturing, and healthcare.[9] The metro area is also a contributor to the nation's agricultural sector. Fort Wayne has received recognition by the National Civic League with the All-America City Award in 1982-1983 and 1998.[10]

United States Army general and American Revolutionary War statesman General "Mad" Anthony Wayne is the namesake of Fort Wayne.[11] The United States Army built this last in a series of forts near the community of Kekionga, the largest of all Miami villages, which is located where the St. Joseph River and St. Marys River join to form the Maumee River.[12]

Contents

[edit] History

See also: Forts of Fort Wayne, Indiana

The Miami nation first established a settlement at the Maumee, St. Joseph, and St. Marys Rivers in the mid-17th century called Kekionga. The village was the traditional capital of the Miami nation and related Algonquian tribes. Historians believe that around 1676, French priests and missionaries visited the Miami on their way back from a mission at Lake Michigan. In 1680, René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle sent a letter to the Governor-General of Canada stating he had also stopped there. In the 1680s, French traders established a post at the location because it was the crucial portage between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River. The Maumee River is approximately ten miles (16 kilometers) away from the Little River branch of the Wabash River, which flows, in turn, into the Ohio River.[13]

A statue of General "Mad" Anthony Wayne stands in Fort Wayne's Freimann Square.
A statue of General "Mad" Anthony Wayne stands in Fort Wayne's Freimann Square.

In 1696, Comte de Frontenac appointed Jean Baptiste Bissot, Sieur de Vincennes as commander of the French outpost in Miami country.[14] The French built the first fort on the site, Fort Miamis, in 1697 as part of a group of forts built between Quebec, Canada, and St. Louis. In 1721, a few years after Bissot's death, Fort Miamis was replaced by Fort St. Philippe des Miamis.[15]

Increasing tension between France and the United Kingdom developed over the territory. In 1760, after defeat by British forces in the French and Indian War, the area was ceded to the British Empire. The fort was again renamed, this time to Fort Miami. In 1763, various Native American nations rebelled against British rule and retook the fort as part of Pontiac's Rebellion. The Miami regained control of Kekionga, a rule that lasted for more than thirty years.[15]

In 1790, President George Washington ordered the United States Army to secure Indiana. Three battles were fought in Kekionga against Little Turtle and the Miami Confederacy. The Miami forces defeated American army in the first two battles. Anthony Wayne led a third expedition, destroying the village while its warriors were away. When the tribe returned to their destroyed village, Little Turtle decided to negotiate peace. After General Wayne refused it, the tribe was advanced to Fallen Timbers where they were defeated on August 20, 1794. On October 22, 1794, the United States army captured the Wabash-Erie portage from the Miami Confederacy and built a new fort at the three rivers, Fort Wayne, in honor of General Wayne.[16]

Fort Wayne prospered under the construction of the Wabash and Erie Canal, earning Fort Wayne's nickname, The Summit City, due to the city's placing at the zenith of the locks on the canal. Fort Wayne lost national prominence in the demise of the Wabash and Erie Canal as the railroad system quickly took its place. On February 22, 1840, the Town of Fort Wayne incorporated as the City of Fort Wayne.[17] Most of the population growth occurred in the 19th century with the arrival of German, Polish, and Irish immigrants, bringing large numbers of Roman Catholics and Lutherans.

In recent history, the focus of the community has been the concern of breathing new life into the core of Fort Wayne. Over the last decade, the city has improved in this venture however, with the renovated and expanded Main Library Branch and Grand Wayne Convention Center. In 2006, it was announced that plans for a new $125 million development[18], containing a new baseball stadium, parking garage, condominiums, shops, and Courtyard by Marriott Hotel were to be built in downtown Fort Wayne between 2008 and 2010. This project has come to be known as the Harrison Square project.[19][20][21]

[edit] Geography

An artist's rendering of Fort Wayne in 1868.
An artist's rendering of Fort Wayne in 1868.

For a regional summit, Fort Wayne is fairly flat. Marshes and wetlands are prevalent in portions of southwest Fort Wayne and Allen County, as well as some quarries. Few small hills and depressions are found throughout the region, with the exception of Cedar Creek Canyon on Cedar Creek, one of the St. Joseph River's major tributaries, north of Fort Wayne near Huntertown. West of the city lies the Tipton Till Plain while land east of the plain is the former Black Swamp. The St. Marys River cuts through the southeast section of Allen County, flowing northward, while the St. Joseph River cuts through the northeast section of the county, flowing southward. Both rivers converge roughly in the center of the county to form the Maumee River, which flows northeastward, eventually emptying into Lake Erie.

[edit] Climate

Fort Wayne, like most of the Midwest, has a humid continental climate. Summers are hot and humid, and winters are generally cold with frequent snowfall. Precipitation is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. Severe weather is not uncommon with tornadoes rarely occurring, particularly in the spring and summer months, though funnel clouds are observed more frequently.[22] The most severe tornado, an F2 on the Fujita scale, struck portions of northern Fort Wayne on May 26, 2001, causing extensive damage to Northcrest Shopping Center along with other businesses along the Coliseum Boulevard corridor, moving on to a subdivision, but resulting in only three minor injuries.[23]

The National Weather Service, which maintains an observation station in the control tower at Fort Wayne International Airport, reports the record highest temperature in the city was 106 °F (41 °C) on July 14, 1936, and June 29, 1988, and the record lowest temperature was −24 °F (−31.1 °C) on January 12, 1918.[24] The wettest month on record was July 1986, with 11.00 inches (279 mm) of precipitation recorded. The greatest 24-hour rainfall was 4.93 inches (125 mm) on August 1, 1926. The average annual precipitation ranges from 36.55 inches (928 mm) at the airport to 37.90 inches (963 mm) at the Fort Wayne Water Pollution Control Plant. During the winter season, snowfall accumulation averages 32.4 inches (820 mm) per year. Lake effect snow is not rare to the region, but usually appears in the form of light snow flurries. The snowiest month on record was 29.5 inches (750 mm) in January 1982 (the 1981-1982 winter season was also the snowiest season on record, with 81.2 inches (2,060 mm) reported). The greatest 24-hour snowfall was 12.6 inches (320 mm) on March 10, 1964.[25]

Monthly Normal and Record High and Low Temperatures
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Rec High °F 69 73 86 90 99 106 103 102 100 91 79 71
Norm High °F 31 35.4 47.4 59.8 71.6 80.6 84.3 81.8 75.4 63 48.5 35.8
Norm Low °F 16.1 19.2 28.8 38.2 49.1 58.8 62.5 60.4 52.8 41.8 32.7 22.3
Rec Low °F -24 -19 -10 7 27 36 38 38 29 19 -1 -18
Precip (in) 2.05 1.94 2.86 3.54 3.75 4.04 3.58 3.6 2.81 2.63 2.98 2.77
Source 1: US Travel Weather [26]
Source 2: The Weather Channel [27]

[edit] Flooding

See also: Watersheds of Indiana
Superior Street during the disastrous floods Fort Wayne suffered in 1982.
Superior Street during the disastrous floods Fort Wayne suffered in 1982.
St. Joseph River in Fort Wayne. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has constructed a flood wall along the river.
St. Joseph River in Fort Wayne. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has constructed a flood wall along the river.

Fort Wayne experiences flooding due to its proximity to the tributaries of the Wabash River Watershed to the west and south, and the Maumee River Watershed to the north and east.[28]

Top Ten Worst Floods Based on Crests of the Three Rivers
Year(s) Month(s) Cost River crest
1913 March $4,802,000 26.1’
1982 March $56,100,000 25.9’
1985 February $6,957,000 24.5’
1990-1991 December-January $5,000,000 24.1'
1943 May $2,000,000 24.0’
1908 March (no records on cost of flood) 22.5’
2005 January $2,000,000 22.3’
1930 January (no records on cost of flood) 22.2’
1978 April $50,000,000 21.2’
2003 July $12,600,000 21.2’
Source: City of Fort Wayne [29]

The worst flood since 1913 struck Fort Wayne in March 1982, prompting the detoured stop of then-President Ronald Reagan to Fort Wayne to survey the damage, thrusting the city into the national spotlight.[30] In the days following the flood, 9,000 residents were forced to evacuate their homes, over 2,000 residences and businesses were damaged by floodwaters, and thousands from across the tri-state area worked to shore up dikes at vulnerable spots along the three rivers. One such instance was a brigade of sandbaggers who were credited with saving 1,860 properties in the Lakeside neighborhood as the clay dikes along the Maumee River began to show signs of failure, earning Fort Wayne the distinction of being The City That Saved Itself.[31]

Since the 1982 flood, miles of levees and dikes were built or improved, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers widened the Maumee River, and Headwaters Park was established near the confluence of the rivers in downtown Fort Wayne, all implemented to alleviate future flooding. In commemoration of the 1982 flood's 25th anniversary, former Mayor Graham Richard proclaimed March 19-23, 2007 as Flood Awareness Week in Fort Wayne, also highlighting the flood mitigation efforts the city has made in the last quarter century.[32]

[edit] Cityscape

National City Center, originally Fort Wayne National Bank, was completed in 1970.
National City Center, originally Fort Wayne National Bank, was completed in 1970.
Built in 1930, the Lincoln Bank Tower was the tallest building in the state until 1962.
Built in 1930, the Lincoln Bank Tower was the tallest building in the state until 1962.
Top Five Tallest Buildings
Rank Name Street Address Height feet/meters Floors Year
1 One Summit Square 101 East Washington Boulevard 442/135 27 1982
2 National City Center 110 West Berry Street 339/103 26 1970
3 Lincoln Bank Tower 116 East Berry Street 312/95 22 1930
4 Anthony Wayne Bank Building 203 East Berry Street 167/51 14 1964
5 1st Source Center 200 East Main Street 149/46 10 1989
Source: Emporis.com [33]

[edit] Architecture

[edit] Neighborhoods

See also: List of Fort Wayne, Indiana neighborhoods

[edit] Demographics

Fort Wayne
Population by year[34]

Rank[35]
1744[15] 1,040
1833[36] 300
1850 4,282
1860 10,388
1870 17,718 83
1880 25,880 74
1890 35,393 86
1900 45,115 83
1910 63,933 89
1920 85,540 83
1930 114,946 72
1940 118,410 70
1950 133,607 72
1960 161,144 79
1970 178,269 72
1980 172,196 80
1990 195,680 99
2000[37] 205,727 84
2007 251,247 71

The first census, performed in 1744 on the order by the governor of Louisiana, revealed a population of approximately forty Frenchmen and one thousand Miami.[15]

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 205,727 people, 83,333 households, and 50,666 families residing in the city. There are 90,915 housing units at an average density of 1,151.5/sq mi (444.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city is 75.45% White, 17.38% Black or African American, 0.39% Native American, 1.56% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 2.91% from other races, and 2.26% from two or more races. 5.78% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 83,333 households out of which 31.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.9% are married couples living together, 14.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 39.2% are non-families. 32.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.41 and the average family size is 3.08.

In the city the population is spread out with 27.0% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 33 years of age. For every 100 females there are 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 90.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $36,518, and the median income for a family is $45,040. Males have a median income of $34,704 versus $25,062 for females. The per capita income for the city is $18,517. 12.5% of the population and 9.6% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 17.5% of those under the age of 18 and 7.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Fort Wayne is cited as having the highest Burmese refugee population in the United States, with between 3,000-3,500.[38][39]

[edit] Religion

Besides its Summit City nickname, Fort Wayne also is informally called the City of Churches by some of its residents, a nickname that stretches back to the late 1800s when the city was the hub of regional Catholic and Lutheran faiths.[1] Until the building of the Lincoln Bank Tower in 1929, church and cathedral spires dominated the city's skyline.

The Missouri Synod of the Lutheran Church was constituted in Saint Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, then known as Saint Pauls Evangelisch-Lutheranische Gemeinde, once founded in 1837 as Fort Wayne's first Lutheran church.[40] Fort Wayne is the principle city of the Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend which covers northeastern and north central Indiana. The principle cathedral of the diocese is the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, located in downtown Fort Wayne.

As of May 2006, three national Christian denominations were headquartered in Fort Wayne; the Fundamental Baptist Fellowship Association, Missionary Church, Inc. and the Fellowship of Evangelical Churches (formerly Evangelical Mennonite Church). While the headquarters of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ is in nearby Huntington, Indiana. Fort Wayne's Jewish population is served by Congregation Achduth Vesholom, the oldest Jewish congregation in Indiana and second oldest Reform congregation west of the Allegheny Mountains, founded in 1848.[41]

[edit] Government

See also: List of Fort Wayne, Indiana mayors
Elected officials of Fort Wayne (2008)
Official Position Political Party
Tom Henry Mayor Democrat
City Council Members
Marty Bender At-Large Republican
Liz Brown At-Large Republican
John Shoaff At-Large Democrat
Tom Smith First District Republican
Karen Goldner Second District Democrat
Tom Didier Third District Republican
Mitch Harper Fourth District Republican
Tim Pape Fifth District Democrat
Glynn A. Hines Sixth District Democrat

Fort Wayne has a mayor-council government. As of April 2006, the city was exploring a voluntary government restructuring that included the possible consolidation of its government or parts of its government with Allen County. Discussions with the County have been intermittent for several years.

Fort Wayne's mayor is Democrat Tom Henry, who was sworn into office on January 1, 2008. He succeeded Democrat Graham Richard who had served since 2000. Mayor Richard chose not to run for re-election. Henry had previously served as a five-term city council member representing the Third District. Greg Purcell holds the position of Deputy Mayor, respectively.[42]

Fort Wayne City Council is a nine-member legislative group that serve four-year terms. Six of the members represent specific districts; three are elected city-wide as at-large council members. The council elected on November 6, 2007 will serve until December 31, 2011. Democrat Sandra Kennedy has been Fort Wayne's city clerk since 1983.

Under the Unigov provision of Indiana Law, City-County consolidation would have been automatic when Fort Wayne's population exceeded 250,000 and became a first class city in Indiana.[43] Fort Wayne nearly met the state requirements for first class city designation in 2006 when the populous portions of Aboite Township were annexed.[44] However, a 2004 legislative change raised the population requirements from 250,000 to 600,000, which ensured Indianapolis' status as the only first class city in Indiana.[45]

[edit] Economy

By the mid-20th century, Fort Wayne had become a manufacturing center in the Midwest United States. Major employers included General Electric, Westinghouse, International Harvester, and Tokheim gasoline pumps. During World War II, Phelps Dodge, Rea Magnet Wire, and Essex Wire comprised the largest concentration of copper wire manufacturing worldwide, also vital employers. In the latter half of the 20th century, shifts in manufacturing patterns led to the reduction of the number of manufacturing plants and jobs, leading many to count Fort Wayne among other cities in the Rust Belt.[46] However, Fort Wayne's economy has diversified with time to include defense and security, healthcare, and insurance.[47]

Fort Wayne's ten largest non-government employers:[48]

Fort Wayne is headquarters for such corporations as Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company, Centennial Wireless, DeBrand Chocolatier, Home Reserve, K & K Insurance Group, Medical Protective, North American Van Lines (SIRVA), OmniSource Corporation, Rea Magnet Wire, Scott's Food & Pharmacy, STAR Financial Group, Steel Dynamics, Sweetwater Sound, Triple Crown Services, Vera Bradley, and WaterFurnace International.

In 2008, Forbes ranked the Fort Wayne metropolitan area 73rd on its list of 200 metropolitan areas in the "Best Places For Business And Careers" report, based on factors such as the cost of doing business, cost of living, educational attainment, and crime rate.[49] Fort Wayne was ranked 7th in cost of living and 11th in cost of doing business.[49]

[edit] Education

The map shows which school districts serve Allen County. Blue represents Northwest Allen County Schools, yellow East Allen County Schools, dark pink Fort Wayne Community Schools, and green Southwest Allen County Schools.
The map shows which school districts serve Allen County. Blue represents Northwest Allen County Schools, yellow East Allen County Schools, dark pink Fort Wayne Community Schools, and green Southwest Allen County Schools.

Fort Wayne is home of Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW), with an enrollment of 11,943, it is the fifth-largest public university campus in Indiana. The city also holds the main campus of the Northeast Region of Ivy Tech Community College, the second-largest public community college campus in Indiana. Indiana University maintains the third public higher educational facility in the city with the Fort Wayne Center for Medical Education, a branch of the IU School of Medicine.

Fort Wayne's private colleges and universities include religious-affiliates and secular institutions. Religious-affiliated schools include the University of Saint Francis (Roman Catholic), Concordia Theological Seminary (Lutheran), an Adult Learning Center of Concordia University Wisconsin, Taylor University Fort Wayne (Evangelical Christian), and Indiana Wesleyan University (Wesleyan Church). Non-religious colleges and universities include the Indiana Institute of Technology (IIT) as well as regional branches of Trine University, Brown Mackie College, Indiana Business College, and International Business College.

By means of private education, Roman Catholic residents of Fort Wayne and Allen County are served by the schools of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. Two of the four high schools in the diocese, Bishop Dwenger High School and Bishop Luers High School, are located in Allen County along with 13 of the 39 grade schools in the diocese. Lutheran Schools of Indiana operate 14 schools within Allen County, including Concordia Lutheran High School. Blackhawk Christian School and Canterbury School, an independent, college preparatory school, serves students K-12.

[edit] Libraries

Residents of Fort Wayne and surrounding region are serviced by the Allen County Public Library (ACPL) system, comprising fourteen branches, offering materials to patrons since it was founded in 1895 as the Fort Wayne Public Library. The entire library system began overhauling all branches in 2002, finishing work by 2007. The centerpiece of the overhaul, the Main Library Branch, now covers 367,000 square feet (34,100 m2), featuring an art gallery, underground parking garage, bookstore, café, and community auditorium.[50] According to data from 2005, 5.4 million materials were borrowed by patrons, and 2.5 million visits were made throughout the library system.[51] The Main Library Branch also contains the Fred J. Reynolds Historical Genealogy Department, the second largest genealogy department in the United States, home to more than 350,000 printed volumes and 513,000 items of microfilm and microfiche.[52][53]

Also, the Fort Wayne metropolitan area was acknowledged by Places Rated Almanac in 1998 as holding the highest "reading quotient" of any city in the nation.[54][55]

[edit] Culture

[edit] Festivals and events

  • BBQ RibFest is a four-day event held in mid-June at Headwaters Park, showcasing barbecue rib cooks and vendors, as well as musical performances, from across the nation.[56]
  • Germanfest, first celebrated in 1981, commemorates Fort Wayne's largest ethnic group with such events as the Germanfest Bake Off and National Weiner Dog Finals. German cuisine, dance, and fashion are showcased in the eight-day celebration, held in the first week of June at Headwaters Park.[57]
  • Greek Fest is a four-day event held at the end of June at Headwaters Park. The festival, which originated in 1986, celebrates Fort Wayne's local Greek population and heritage.
  • National Soccer Festival is staged at IPFW's Hefner Soccer Complex where event-goers celebrate the sport of soccer on the collegiate level, with such activities as golf outings, live entertainment, and food vendors.[58] In 2008, twelve universities participated in the event.[59]
  • Three Rivers Festival is the paramount of northeast Indiana festivals, annually attracting an estimated 400,000 event-goers.[60] The festival's run annually spans nine days in mid-July, featuring over 200 events, including a community parade through downtown, a midway, food alley, hot dog eating contest, bed race, arts fair, and fireworks spectacular.[60]

[edit] Performing arts

Façade of the Grand Wayne Center, looking east from West Jefferson Blvd.
Façade of the Grand Wayne Center, looking east from West Jefferson Blvd.

The John and Ruth Rhinehart Music Center opened in late 2007 to hold community concerts and university events. The 85,000-square-foot (7,900 m2) auditorium includes 1,600 seats, located next to Williams Theatre and the Visual Arts Building, on the north side of the Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne campus.[61] Located downtown, Cinema Center features independent, foreign, classic and documentary films.[62]

Arts United Center, located adjacent to the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, houses the Fort Wayne Civic Theater and Fort Wayne Youtheatre, with seating for 663.[63] The Scottish Rite Center contains a 2,086-seat auditorium and a 15,000-square-foot (1,400 m2) Valencia Ballroom.[64] Foellinger Outdoor Theatre, in Franke Park near the zoo, offers seasonal acts and movies during the warmer months.[65] The Firehouse Theater, in remodeled Enginehouse #10, contains 73 seats and presents original works and classics adapted for stage.[66]

The Historic Embassy Theatre, located across from the Grand Wayne Center, presents shows ranging from concert tours, Broadway musicals, dance, community events and lectures, serving over 200,000 patrons annually.[67] The Embassy is also home to the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra.[68] The Grand Wayne Center, though used mainly for exhibitions and conventions, also plays host to dance or choir productions, such as the annual FAME Festival (The Foundation for Art and Music in Elementary Education), which showcases local school choirs and dancers.

[edit] Museums

Science Central contains interactive exhibits geared toward children.
Science Central contains interactive exhibits geared toward children.
Though once functioning as Fort Wayne's City Hall, the building now houses The History Center.
Though once functioning as Fort Wayne's City Hall, the building now houses The History Center.

Fort Wayne includes a handful of museums.[69] The Corvette Classics Museum features more than fifty restored classic Corvettes dating back to 1953.[70] The Fort Wayne Firefighters Museum, located at Engine House #3 in downtown Fort Wayne, exhibits artifacts from the Fort Wayne Fire Department, dating back to 1839, as well as showcasing four early previously-used fire engines.[71] The Jack D. Diehm Wildlife Museum of Natural History showcases stuffed and mounted North American wildlife animals in habitat settings.[69] Science Central is a "hands-on" science center, located in Lawton Park just north of downtown Fort Wayne, offering children hundreds of interactive exhibits.[72]

The African/African-American Historical Museum, which opened near downtown in 2000, contains two floors and ten exhibits relating to slavery in the United States, the Underground Railroad, African-American inventors, and the history of the local African-American community.[73] The Fort Wayne Museum of Art, located in downtown Fort Wayne, contains 40,000 square feet (3,700 m2) of exhibition space, along with an auditorium.[74] It was announced in May 2008 that the FWMoA would add 10,000 square feet (930 m2) more exhibition space and other amentities by spring 2010.[75]

The Greater Fort Wayne Aviation Museum, located inside the Lieutenant Paul Baer Terminal at Fort Wayne International Airport, highlights aviation history in Fort Wayne, as well as memorabilia relating to historical aviation figures such as Fort Wayne's own Art Smith and World War I Ace, Paul Baer.[76] The History Center, located in Fort Wayne's Old City Hall, manages a collection of more than 23,000 artifacts recalling the history of Fort Wayne and Allen County; the center is overseen by the Allen County-Fort Wayne Historical Society, which also maintains the Chief Jean Baptiste de Richardville House.[77]

[edit] Sports

See also: History of sports in Fort Wayne, Indiana
The Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, as seen from Johnny Appleseed Park.
The Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, as seen from Johnny Appleseed Park.

Fort Wayne is the current home of seven minor league sports franchises. These include the Fort Wayne Fever of soccer's Premier Development League, the Fort Wayne Flash of the National Women's Football Association, the Fort Wayne Flyers of the Minor League Football Association, the Fort Wayne Freedom of the Continental Indoor Football League, the Fort Wayne Komets of the International Hockey League, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA Development League, and the Fort Wayne Wizards of baseball's Midwest League. There is also a presence of intercollegiate sports in Fort Wayne — IPFW joined the NCAA's Division I Summit League in 2007.[78]

Fort Wayne has also been home to three former professional sports franchises. These include the NBA's Fort Wayne Pistons (now in Detroit), the Fort Wayne Daisies of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, and the Fort Wayne Kekiongas of the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players (an early predecessor to the current MLB).

Fort Wayne has also been home to a few sports firsts; the first major league baseball game was played May 4, 1871, between the Fort Wayne Kekiongas and the Cleveland Forest Citys. It was rained-out in the top of the ninth inning, with the Kekiongas ahead 2-0, though the Kekiongas franchise in the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players was sold midway through the first season.[79] Another first, on June 2, 1883, Fort Wayne hosted the Quincy Professionals for one of the first lighted baseball games ever recorded.[80] Fort Wayne has also been credited for being the birthplace of the NBA when Fort Wayne Pistons owner Fred Zollner brokered the merger of the BAA and the NBL in 1949 from his kitchen table.[81]

Recently, Fort Wayne was rated the "Best Place in the Country for Minor League Sports" in a 2007 issue of Street & Smith's Sports Business Journal.[82][83]

Professional Sports in Fort Wayne
Team Sport League Established Venue Championships
Fort Wayne Fever Soccer Premier Development League 2003 Hefner Soccer Complex 0
Fort Wayne Flash Football National Women's Football Association 2007 Bishop John M. D'Arcy Stadium 0
Fort Wayne Flyers American football Minor League Football Association 2005 Dave S. Walter Memorial Stadium 0
Fort Wayne Freedom Indoor football Continental Indoor Football League 2008 Allen County War Memorial Coliseum 0
Fort Wayne Komets Hockey International Hockey League 1952 Allen County War Memorial Coliseum 5 (IHL), 1 (UHL)
Fort Wayne Mad Ants Basketball NBA Development League 2007 Allen County War Memorial Coliseum 0
Fort Wayne Wizards Baseball Midwest League 1993 Parkview Field 0

[edit] Media

See also: List of media in Fort Wayne, Indiana

The major newspaper in the city is the independent Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, a daily that has more than twice the circulation of the city's second daily, the Pulitzer Prize-winning Fort Wayne News-Sentinel. The two dailies have separate editorial departments, but under a joint operating agreement, printing, advertising, and circulation are handled by Fort Wayne Newspapers, Inc. The city is also served by several free weekly and monthly alternative and neighborhood newspapers, including Aboite & About, Dupont Valley Times, Frost Illustrated, Ink, The Macedonian Tribune (the oldest and largest Macedonian language publication produced outside of the Balkans[84]), St. Joe Times, Whatzup Magazine, and The Waynedale News.

The Fort Wayne radio market is the 105th-largest in the nation, according to Arbitron. Fort Wayne's first radio station, WGL, began broadcasting in 1924. WOWO, the city's second radio station, began broadcasting in 1925, and is now an independent news/talk radio station, featuring local and network news talkshows. Two National Public Radio stations, WBNI and WBOI, are based in the city. Fort Wayne is served by a handful of UHF television stations as the 106th-largest media market in the nation. Broadcast network affiliates include WANE-TV (CBS), WFFT-TV (FOX), WISE-TV (NBC), WPTA (ABC), and WFWA (PBS). Religious broadcasters include WINM and W07CL. The CW Network and My Network TV also are cable-only for many Fort Wayne market viewers as they are broadcast by digital sub-channels of WPTA-TV and WISE-TV, respectively, and not broadcast on an NTSC channel.

[edit] Recreation

The Allen County Courthouse is listed as a National Historic Landmark. Its attached park, the Courthouse Green, is a gathering place for political demonstrations.
The Allen County Courthouse is listed as a National Historic Landmark. Its attached park, the Courthouse Green, is a gathering place for political demonstrations.
See also: List of parks in Fort Wayne, Indiana

Fort Wayne's first park (and smallest), the 0.2 acre (800 m²) Old Fort Park, was established in 1863. The newest developed park includes Buckner Park, established in 2004. Franke Park is Fort Wayne's most extensive park, at 316.4 acres (1.3 km²), also the home of the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo (ranked as the ninth best zoo in the nation by Child Magazine in 2004[85]). Downtown Fort Wayne is home to the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory[86] and the 20,000-square-foot (1,900 m2) Lawton Skatepark.[87] As of 2007, Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation maintained 84 parks and dozens of smaller community parks and playgrounds, covering 2,805 acres (8.9 km²). Allen County Parks include Cook's Landing County Park, Fox Island County Park, Metea County Park, and Payton County Park, all four of which cover nearly 900 acres (3.6 km²).[88] Northeast of Fort Wayne, near Grabill, is Hurshtown Reservoir, the largest body of water in Allen County, at 240 acres (0.97 km2).

Downtown Fort Wayne, as seen from Freimann Square.
Downtown Fort Wayne, as seen from Freimann Square.

Fort Wayne is also making efforts in restoring natural wetlands to the region. In southwest Allen County, the Little River Wetlands Project's Eagle Marsh contains 683 acres (2.8 km²) of protected wetlands, making it the third largest wetland restoration in the state of Indiana. Nearby Arrowhead Marsh is also in the process of restoration. Many species of turtles, herons, and cranes have been reported of making a resurgence in the wetlands.[89][90][91]

[edit] Trails

In recent decades, Fort Wayne has been developing new paths and paved walking trails along the riverbanks, known as the Rivergreenway Trail System, not only to beautify the riverfronts, but to also promote healthier living habits for residents around the community. The Rivergreenway Trail System currently encompasses around 20 miles (32 km) throughout Allen County.[92]

It was announced November 2007, that the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) had awarded the City of Fort Wayne nearly $1 million to aid in construction that will soon begin on a new extension of the Rivergreenway, called the Pufferbelly Trail, that will eventually link the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo in Franke Park and the northern suburbs of Fort Wayne with the rest of the trail system. The final plan includes joining Pokagon State Park near Angola, Indiana in the north, and Ouabache State Park in the south near Bluffton, Indiana.[93]

In the spring of 2008, ABC affiliate WPTA-TV received $10,000 in seed money from the reality television series Oprah's Big Give which was then received by Aboite New Trails, Fort Wayne Trails, Greenway Consortium, and Northwest Allen Trails, four organizations in Fort Wayne. The donations topped $1 million April 12, 2008 at a community celebration named Oprah's Big Give: Fort Wayne Trails in Headwaters Park with Indianapolis Colts Coach Tony Dungy and players in attendance.[94] On April 21, 2008, Fort Wayne was featured on a segment of The Oprah Winfrey Show in recognition for raising the most money of the ninety participating cities in the country. The final total rounded-out to $1.2 million.[95]

[edit] Infrastructure

[edit] Transportation

Fort Wayne International Airport (formerly known as Baer Field during World War II and Fort Wayne Municipal Airport from 1946-1991) is the state's third busiest airport behind Indianapolis International Airport and South Bend Regional Airport, serving approximately 650,000 passengers annually.[96] Fort Wayne International shares the distinction with O'Hare International Airport and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport as one of three Midwest commercial airports containing a 12,000-foot (3,700 m) runway.[96] Fort Wayne International is also homebase for the 122nd Fighter Wing of the Indiana Air National Guard.[97] Smith Field, in northern Fort Wayne, is used primarily for small aircraft and pilot education and training.[98]

[edit] Major highways

[edit] Interstates
Fort Wayne is the largest city in Allen County, Indiana. This map shows its relations with nearby municipalities and major roadways.
Fort Wayne is the largest city in Allen County, Indiana. This map shows its relations with nearby municipalities and major roadways.

[edit] U.S. Routes

[edit] Indiana State Roads

Airport Expressway, a four-lane divided highway, provides direct access to Fort Wayne International Airport from Interstate 69.

Fort Wayne's mass transit system is managed by the Fort Wayne Public Transportation Corporation. Citilink provides bus service via twelve routes through the city, some locations being Georgetown, Glenbrook Square, IPFW, New Haven, and Waynedale[100], along with Citiloop, a trolley service offered downtown in the summer season.[101] In 2007, Citilink served over two million passenger trips.[102]

[edit] Healthcare

Fort Wayne is served by six hospitals; Parkview Hospital, Lutheran Hospital of Indiana, Saint Joseph Hospital, Dupont Hospital, Rehabilitation Hospital of Fort Wayne, and Parkview North Hospital, encompassing over 1,300 patient beds.[103] These six hospitals belong to either of the two health networks serving the region; Parkview Health Systems or Lutheran Health Network.[103] Parkview Hospital, the flagship hospital of Parkview Health Systems, is the fourth largest hospital in Indiana, as well as the largest outside of Indianapolis.[103]

[edit] Utilities

Electricity is provided to Fort Wayne residents by Indiana Michigan Power (a unit of American Electric Power), headquartered in the city and serving 575,000 customers in northeastern Indiana and southern Michigan.[104] Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) provides area residents with natural gas.[105] The City of Fort Wayne supplies residents with 72 million gallons of water per day via the Three Rivers Water Filtration Plant and Saint Joseph River.[106] Hurshtown Reservoir, in northeast Allen County, contains 1.8 billion gallons of water to be rationed in the event of a major drought or disaster at the three rivers.[107]

[edit] Sister cities

Fort Wayne has three sister cities as designated by Sister Cities International (SCI) and Fort Wayne Sister Cities International (FWSCI):

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Salter Rodriguez, Rosa, 'City of Churches' hard to prove: Census stats can't back up old moniker, The Journal Gazette, June 22, 2007. Retrieved on 2008-07-20.
  2. ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  3. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  4. ^ Shawgo, Ron, City tops 250,000 mark: Annexation accounts for increase, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, July 10, 2007. Retrieved 2007-07-10.
  5. ^ Indiana Largest Cities. Retrieved on 2008-05-03.
  6. ^ Shawgo, Ron, City count approaches 250,000, census says, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, June 21, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-06-21.
  7. ^ Fort Wayne Facts. Retrieved 2008-02-27.
  8. ^ Fort Wayne Facts - City of Fort Wayne. Retrieved on 2008-04-29.
  9. ^ Fort Wayne: Economy - City-Data. Retrieved on 2008-04-29.
  10. ^ National Civic League Past Winners. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  11. ^ "Fort Wayne History". City of Fort Wayne. Retrieved on 2008-09-05.
  12. ^ Brice, Wallace A. (1868) "History of Fort Wayne, from the Earliest Known Accounts of this Point to the Present Period". D.W. Jones & son.
  13. ^ Goodrich, De Witt C. and Charles Richard Tuttle (1875) An Illustrated History of the State of Indiana. (NP:R. S. Peale & Co., ND).
  14. ^ "Vincennes, Sieur de (Jean Baptiste Bissot)," The Encyclopedia Americana (Danbury, CT: Grolier, 1990), 28:130.
  15. ^ a b c d Peckham, Howard Henry (2003) "Indiana: A History". W.W. Norton ISBN 0-252-07146-8.
  16. ^ Hoxie, Frederick E. (1996) "Encyclopedia of North American Indians: Native American History, Culture, and Life from Paleo-Indians to the Present". Houghton Mifflin Company. p.343 ISBN 0-395-66921-9.
  17. ^ Fort Wayne: History: County Seat Becomes Industrial Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-04.
  18. ^ Lanka, Benjamin Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, February 21, 2008. Retrieved on 2008-02-27.
  19. ^ Leininger, Kevin, Harrison Square, Fort Wayne News-Sentinel, January 1, 2008. Retrieved on 2008-01-27.
  20. ^ Harrison Square. Retrieved on 2008-02-27.
  21. ^ Harrison Square. Retrieved on 2008-02-27.
  22. ^ Fort Wayne, Indiana Climate - Tornadoes - NWS Northern Indiana. Retrieved on 2008-04-30.
  23. ^ NOAA - A Summary of the May 26, 2001 Tornado Event Over Northern Indiana and Extreme Northwest Ohio. Retrieved on 2008-04-25.
  24. ^ Fort Wayne, Indiana Climate - Heat / Cold - NWS Northern Indiana. Retrieved on 2008-04-30.
  25. ^ Fort Wayne, Indiana Climate - Winter Weather - NWS Northern Indiana. Retrieved on 2008-04-30.
  26. ^ "Fort Wayne Weather". US Travel Weather. Retrieved on 2007-08-31.
  27. ^ "Average Weather for Fort Wayne". The Weather Channel. Retrieved on 2008-04-30.
  28. ^ "Coping with the meltdown". Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (2008). Retrieved on 2008-02-08.
  29. ^ "Historical Flood Date 1907 - 2005". Retrieved on 2008-02-08.
  30. ^ "The Fort Wayne flood of 1982". Fort Wayne News-Sentinel (1982). Retrieved on 2008-02-09.
  31. ^ "Flood brought out our best". Fort Wayne News-Sentinel. Retrieved on 2008-02-09.
  32. ^ "Mayor Declares March 19-23 as Flood Awareness Week". City of Fort Wayne (2007). Retrieved on 2008-02-09.
  33. ^ "Buildings of Fort Wayne". Emporis.com. Retrieved on 2008-04-29.
  34. ^ "Fort Wayne QuickFacts". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2007-03-31.
  35. ^ "Table 1. Rank by Population of the 100 Largest Urban Places, Listed Alphabetically by State: 1790-1990". U.S. Bureau of the Census. Retrieved on 2008-05-13.
  36. ^ "City of Fort Wayne Website". Retrieved on 2007-03-31.
  37. ^ "Population of the 100 Largest Cities". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-03-31.
  38. ^ Linsenmayer, Steve, A foot in the door: 300 refugees from Burma will move to Fort Wayne this year, Fort Wayne News-Sentinel, July 12, 2007. Retrieved on 2008-01-27.
  39. ^ Burma Refugee, USA Today. Retrieved on 2008-03-31.
  40. ^ Saint Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church - History. Retrieved on 2008-05-16.
  41. ^ Congregation Achduth Vesholom. Retrieved on 2008-05-16.
  42. ^ Lanka, Benjamin, New deputy mayor is no stranger; Greg Purcell has served under three mayors; Henry will be No. 4, The Journal Gazette, 2008-07-25. Retrieved on 2008-07-25.
  43. ^ "Indiana Code 36-3-1". State of Indiana. Retrieved on 2007-03-31.
  44. ^ "City planner says state law, not politics, was guide", The News-Sentinel. Retrieved on 2007-03-31. 
  45. ^ "Senate Bill No. 225". State of Indiana. Retrieved on 2007-03-31.
  46. ^ "Money.CNN.com A Rust Belt city 1/4 takes on a shine". Fortune Magazine (1986). Retrieved on 2008-02-01.
  47. ^ Fort Wayne: Economy - City-Data. Retrieved on 2008-04-29.
  48. ^ "IPFW Allen County Major Employers". IPFW Community Research Institute (2007). Retrieved on 2007-07-05.
  49. ^ a b Forbes Best Places For Business And Careers Fort Wayne Profile. Retrieved on 2008-04-09.
  50. ^ Allen County Public Library - Main Library Branch, Allen County Public Library. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  51. ^ Allen County Public Library Expansion and Renovation Project, Allen County Public Library. Retrieved on 2008-05-27.
  52. ^ Allen County Public Library: Genealogy, Allen County Public Library. Retrieved on 2008-06-10.
  53. ^ Genealogy and Local History in Union County, Ohio - Archives and Libraries. Retrieved on 2008-05-27.
  54. ^ Fort Wayne Community Net: Libraries
  55. ^ Allen County Public Library: about us, Allen County Public Library. Retrieved on 2008-06-10.
  56. ^ BBQ RibFest homepage. Retrieved on 2008-06-18.
  57. ^ Germanfest - History. Retrieved on 2008-06-18.
  58. ^ National Soccer Festival - About the Festival. Retrieved on 2008-08-27.
  59. ^ Warden, Steve, Soccer festival grows beyond field of play, The Journal Gazette, August 25, 2008. Retrieved on 2008-08-27.
  60. ^ a b Three Rivers Festival homepage. Retrieved on 2008-06-18.
  61. ^ John and Ruth Rhinehart Music Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
  62. ^ Cinema Center - About Us. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
  63. ^ Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne - History & Architect of the Facility - About the Arts United Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
  64. ^ Scottish Rite Center - History. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
  65. ^ Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation - Foellinger Outdoor Theare. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
  66. ^ Firehouse Theater. Retrieved on 2008-06-04.
  67. ^ The Historic Embassy Theatre - About Us. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
  68. ^ Fort Wayne Philharmonic - Venue Info. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
  69. ^ a b Fort Wayne Community Net - Museums. Retrieved on 2008-05-29.
  70. ^ Corvette Classics Museum. Retrieved on 2008-05-29.
  71. ^ Fort Wayne Firefighter's Museum. Retrieved on 2008-05-29.
  72. ^ Science Central. Retrieved on 2008-05-29.
  73. ^ African/African-American Historical Museum. Retrieved on 2008-05-29.
  74. ^ FWMoA - Visitor Information. Retrieved on 2008-05-25.
  75. ^ Penhollow, Steve, $5.5 million makeover. Construction starts in July; building to close for year in March, The Journal Gazette, May 25, 2008. Retrieved on 2008-05-25.
  76. ^ FWA - The Greater Fort Wayne Aviation Museum. Retrieved on 2008-05-29.
  77. ^ Fort Wayne History Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-29.
  78. ^ Summit League gains new teams, seeks rise in standing among mid-majors, Associated Press. Retrieved on 2008-05-16.
  79. ^ Retrosheet.org - First Game. Retrieved on 2008-05-16.
  80. ^ Miklich, Eric Night Baseball in the 19th Century. Retrieved on 2008-05-16.
  81. ^ "Storming The Fort (wayne)". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved on 2008-05-16.
  82. ^ "Fort Wayne's #1". Street & Smith's Sports Business Journal. Retrieved on 2008-05-16.
  83. ^ Fort Wayne/Allen County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-05-08.
  84. ^ About the Macedonian Tribune. Retrieved on 2008-05-30.
  85. ^ "Magazine: Tampa zoo tops for kids". Saint Petersburg Times. Retrieved on 2008-02-02.
  86. ^ Botanical Conservatory - About the Conservatory, Foellinger-Friemann Botanical Conservatory. Retrieved on 2008-06-28.
  87. ^ Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation - Lawtown Skatepark, Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation. Retrieved on 2008-06-28.
  88. ^ Fox Island County Park, Allen County Parks. Retrieved on 2008-04-12
  89. ^ Little River Wetlands Project – Wildlife/Habitats, Little River Wetlands Project. Retrieved on 2008-04-12.
  90. ^ Eagle Marsh, Little River Wetlands Project. Retrieved on 2008-04-12.
  91. ^ Arrowhead Marsh, Little River Wetlands Project. Retrieved on 2008-04-12.
  92. ^ Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation - Rivergreenway, Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation. Retrieved on 2008-06-28.
  93. ^ "Area nature trails get $3.3 million". Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. Retrieved on 2007-11-15.
  94. ^ "Big Give: Trails top $1 million". Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. Retrieved on 2008-04-12.
  95. ^ Big Give in Fort Wayne, Indiana, The Oprah Winfrey Show. Retrieved 2008-04-25.
  96. ^ a b Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance - Airport Development. Retrieved on 2008-04-30.
  97. ^ 122nd Fighter Wing - Home of the Blacksnakes. Retrieved on 2008-04-29.
  98. ^ Smith Field Air Service. Retrieved on 2008-04-29.
  99. ^ "Indiana 114th Senate Concurrent Resolution #11". State of Indiana (2005). Retrieved on 2007-07-19.
  100. ^ Riding Citilink: Schedules & Maps, Fort Wayne Public Transportation Corporation. Retrieved on 2008-06-25.
  101. ^ Citilink: Citiloop, Fort Wayne Public Transportation Corporation. Retrieved on 2008-06-25.
  102. ^ Citilink: A service of the Fort Wayne Public Transportation Corporation, Fort Wayne Public Transportation Corporation. Retrieved on 2008-06-25.
  103. ^ a b c Answers.com - Fort Wayne: Health Care. Retrieved on 2008-05-11.
  104. ^ Indiana Michigan Power - About Us, Indiana Michigan Power. Retrieved on 2008-05-11.
  105. ^ Benman, Keith, NIPSCO says it won't shock customers, The Northwest Indiana and Illinois Times Newspaper, May 14, 2008. Retrieved on 2008-07-24.
  106. ^ Three Rivers Filtration Plant, City of Fort Wayne. Retrieved on 2008-05-11.
  107. ^ Hurshtown Reservoir, Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation. Retrieved on 2008-05-11.

[edit] Further reading

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
Personal tools