W Named Places in Allen County, Indiana

Hall-Wallace House

4003 South Harrison Street, Street View photo from Google maps

May 15, 2022 post byHistoric 07 District - Fort Wayne on Facebook:

The Hall-Wallace home built in 1916 was one of the first homes built in the Harrison Hill neighborhood. A beautiful example of the Craftsman and American Foursquare styles, this home will be featured on the upcoming Historic Harrison Hill Home & Garden Tour in just a few weeks!

One incredible piece of history is that in 1988 a woman, an original resident of the home named Margaret Wallace Newman, authored a short book describing the history of the neighborhood. Here is an excerpt with a link if you want to read more. It is fascinating!

"Like the song, where shall I begin? This is a love story about a home and a neighborhood. In early May, 1920, my parents brought and moved into our home at 4003 S. Harrison Boulevard. The family included my father, Dr. J. Clifford Wallace, physician and surgeon - my dear mother - my maternal grandmother, always called by my baby name for her, "Dar" - our beautiful Persian kitty, Snowball - her kittens - and myself, eight years old that very month. What was it like on the boulevard in 1920?"

Link to 22-page Short Story: History of Harrison Boulevard Homes written by Margaret Wallace Newman, Donated by Ken & Tina Rodewald, April 18, 1988.

See OCR keyword searchable copy of History of Harrison Boulevard Homes. See History of Harrison Hill website.

WANE TV Channel 15

2915 West State Boulevard, Street View photo from Google Maps

CBS WANE-TV NewsChannel 15 , Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wane15/. Fort Wayne's second television station signed on the air on September 26, 1954 as WINT "Serving the Tri-State Treasureland." WANE radio, at 1450 on the AM dial, purchased WIN-T in 1956 and moved it to Ft. Wayne as WANE-TV, CBS, channel 15. The transmitter remained in rural DeKalb Co. until 1957. Although Ft. Wayne had two television stations, local radio was still popular because many people had not yet purchased their first TV set in the mid-to-late 1950s. --Craig Jon Berndt, "Those were the days in Dekalb County" Copied from a February 12, 2023 post on CLASSIC FORT WAYNE MEDIA on Facebook. See 66 photos from Stephen Perfect posted for WANE-TV's 60th anniversary. The new studios were dedicated in 1958. See WANE-TV on Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Also had a radio station WLYV on Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.

September 26, 2014 post by WANE 15 on Facebook:

WANE-TV NewsChannel 15 is 60 today! To celebrate, we’ve put together a gallery of photos that go as far back as 1958!

Check out the gallery here: http://bit.ly/1rwpKTx 

WANE-TV's 60th anniversary WANE-TV first signed on the air on September 26, 1954. As you can tell from these pictures, a lot has changed over the years. Credit: Steve Perfect [66 photos]

Both links are now on the Internet Archive Wayback Machine.

March 17, 2023 post by WANE 15 on Facebook:

As you're watching the NCAA tournament on your 65-inch 4K television... here's a reminder of what TV was once like! This was a letter WANE-TV sent out in 1965 when the station started broadcasting in color.

We also dug up some archives and found a photo of the technology around that time!

In our new Platinum Perspective series, we'll look back on WANE 15’s rich history, its service to the community, and the legacy it holds.

Posted by WANE 15 on Monday, February 12, 2024

February 12, 2024 post by WANE 15 on Facebook:

In our new Platinum Perspective series, we'll look back on WANE 15’s rich history, its service to the community, and the legacy it holds.

Platinum Perspective: WANE 15 celebrates 70 years of serving the community WANE 15’s origins trace back to 1954 when this channel originally launched as WINT in Waterloo.

New owners took over in 1958 and rebranded to WANE. They also moved the station to West State Boulevard and into the building WANE 15 still operates out of today.

The actual launch date was September 26, 1954. Meaning, WANE 15 will turn 70 this year.

Montgomery Ward

Their store at Northcrest Shopping Center built in the 1960s closed many years ago and is now Kohl's.

Montgomery Ward on Archive.org

Montgomery Ward is the name of two successive U.S. retail corporations. The original Montgomery Ward & Co. was a world-pioneering mail-order business and later a leading department store chain that operated between 1872 and 2001. The current Montgomery Ward Inc. is a national online shopping and mail-order catalog retailer that started several years after the original Montgomery Ward shut down.

  1. Montgomery Ward at Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
  2. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the other reindeer are celebrated with the 1940s Wolf & Dessauer Santa Claus display starting with the lighting ceremony the night before Thanksgiving lasting through the Christmas season.
  3. December 23, 2022 post by The Library of Congress on Facebook:
    Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
    was originally created as a promotion for Montgomery Ward. He first appeared in a 1939 book and later in this 8-minute 1948 film, which predates the stop motion version by 16 years. As far as we know, the Library has the only complete version of the original 1948 release.
    See
    The full video Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’s First Starring Film Role December 16, 2014 by Mike Mashon at the The Library of Congress blog.
  4. December 24, 2022 post by the U.S. Census Bureau on Facebook:
    The story of #Rudolph the Red-Nosed #Reindeer debuted 83 years ago!
    The flying reindeer’s story was written as part of a holiday promotion sponsored by the Montgomery Ward department store in 1939. It was later turned into an animated short film.
    Preview the animated promotion and learn more about Rudolph using #CensusData and records: U.S. Census Bureau History: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
  5. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer (1964) by Videocraft (Rankin/Bass Productions) Publication date 1964 on Archive.org
  6. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (song) at Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
  7. Shining a Light on the Largely Untold Story of the Origins of Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer By Nate Bloom, December 20, 2011 on InterfaithFamily.com. Author’s note: This article was put together with the help of persons related to the late Johnny Marks, the composer of “Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer,” and the late Robert May, the brother-in-law of Marks. May wrote the poem on which the Rudolph song was largely based. I have also consulted many other sources, including census records and old newspaper articles. Both Marks and May put out some contradictory or incomplete stories about the Rudolph song/poem and about their respective personal biographies. Therefore, it is hard to tell “the whole story” at this time. There are some family members I would like to talk to that I have not been able reach; I am sure they could fill in some gaps in the story. Now on the Internet Archive Wayback Machine.
  8. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer by Gene Autry on SongFacts.com.
  9. Behind the History and the Meaning of the Name (and Song): “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” on AmericanSongWriter.com.
  10. December 20, 2023 post by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission on Facebook:

    In 1939 Robert May wrote the tale of "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" as a promotional booklet for the Montgomery Ward department store chain. His brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, turned it into a song and sent a demo to several pop singers including Gene Autry.

    According to the Autry Archives, "Gene gave it a listen, but was not impressed. He played it for his wife, Ina, who loved it and suggested that it would be a big hit. Carl Cotner, Gene’s long-time arranger, also encouraged the Singing Cowboy to do it. On June 27, 1949 Gene went in the studio and laid down the track. And, if you can believe this, Autry writes in his autobiography Back in the Saddle Again, that it was done in one take!"

    The Gene Autry Personal Papers and Business Archives (1930 – 1998) are part of the Braun Library at the Autry National Center, a museum dedicated to exploring and sharing the stories, experiences, and perceptions of the diverse peoples of the American West, connecting the past to the present to inspire our shared future. Autry was not only a popular entertainer but a very successful businessman as well. The Autry archives contain music correspondence, business records, scripts, photos, and ephemera.

    A grant from the NHPRC helped the Archives process the Autry papers and over 1,800 feet from various archival collections that broaden the story of the American West. You read more about Gene Autry at the Online Archives of California at Finding Aid to the Gene Autry Personal Papers and Business Archives T.MSA.28

Ward Family Home

July 20, 2023 post by ARCH, Inc. on Facebook:

This notable Queen Anne farmhouse, built c.1910, is in excellent condition. The original design of the home was an X shape, but it was never completed, so it has just two wings. Nearly all aspects of this home are original, including windows and siding. The Ward family, for whom it is named, settled here after Elwood Ward retired from the army after the Civil War. Ward, his wife Ellen and son Andrew first farmed south of Fort Wayne and moved to a 20-acre farm on Ward Road, three miles south of Harlan. In 1900, Ward purchased an adjoining 20 acres. After 31 years, the parents moved to Harlan, and their son took over. The elders celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in December 1922 at their home in Harlan. ARCH is proud to present this edition of Throwback Thursday, part of its work as the historic preservation organization serving the greater Fort Wayne area, made possible by ARCH members and donors. Thank you.

Washington Hall or Ewing Tavern

Where the Allen County government started in a log tavern of Alexander Ewing off Columbia Street at the muddy intersection of Columbia and Barr streets in 1824. No longer there, it would now be the backyard of the Fort Wayne Civic Theatre and Fort Wayne Museum of Art. The Ewing Tavern site is Stop #19 The Beginnings of Fort Wayne on the ARCH ( Architecture and Community Heritage) Central Downtown Trail.

Waterfield Mortgage Company and the Waterfield Group

Founded in 1928 by Richard Hobbs Waterfield in Fort Wayne with his brother Dallas selling insurance for several insurance companies. The Waterfield family with seven children moved from Fort Mitchell, near Covington, KY to Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1913. See The History of Waterfield Mortgage Company and the Waterfield Group by Richard D. Waterfield on WaterfieldCapitol.com.

Water Pollution Control Plant

On Dwenger Avenue east of South Anthony Boulevard. Street View photo from Google maps.
Google maps shows the filtration ponds on the north side of the Maumee River from North Anthony Boulevard past Coliseum Boulevard to Maplecrest Road.

Fort Wayne’s Paul L. Brunner Water Pollution Control Plant – located on Dwenger Avenue east of Anthony Boulevard — provides wastewater (also called sewage) treatment for the City of Fort Wayne and surrounding areas. Following the treatment process, cleaned water (effluent) is released to the Maumee River. The water released from the Plant after treatment process is actually cleaner than the water in the river. Organic matter that is removed from the wastewater (also called sludge) is treated, dried, mixed with composted yard waste and made available as a soil amendment/fertilizer known as biosolids.

Fort Wayne’s Water Pollution Control Plant was originally constructed between 1938 and 1940 at a cost of approximately $5.3 million. Funding came from a $2.3 million grant from the federal Public Works Administration and a $3 million bond issued by the City of Fort Wayne. The initial facility provided secondary level treatment utilizing the activated sludge process for an average flow of 24 million gallons per day (MGD). The WPC Plant — like the Three Rivers Water Filtration Plant located at the confluence of Fort Wayne’s three rivers — was constructed in the Collegiate Gothic style. Buildings are covered with Indiana limestone. Copied from  Water Pollution Control Plant at City Utilities Water That Works.

The Water Pollution Control Plant is the critical facility that removes harmful bacteria and other pollutants from wastewater before it is released to the river. In fact, water treated and released from the Plant is actually cleaner than the water in the Maumee River. The Fort Wayne Water Pollution Control Plant provides wastewater treatment for the City of Fort Wayne and surrounding areas.  From Water Pollution Control Plant at the City of Fort Wayne. 5-page Fort Wayne's Water Pollution Control Plant document. Free Facility Tours at the City of Fort Wayne.

  1. Fort Wayne to offer tours of sewage-treatment and water filtration plants by Kevin Leininger March 8, 2018 in The News-Sentinel newspaper.
  2. Photos posted February 4, 2023 on True Fort Wayne Indiana History on Facebook.
  3. September 18, 2023 post by WANE 15 on Facebook:

    Nestlé and other companies ship byproducts to Fort Wayne City Utilities, which uses the byproducts to feed microorganisms that produce methane gas.

    How Nestlé, microorganisms help Fort Wayne City Utilities clean the city’s rivers Clayton McMahan

  4. September 19, 2023 post by City of Fort Wayne Government on Facebook:

    Today, Mayor Tom Henry and Fort Wayne City Utilities showcased progress of the floating solar panels at the Water Pollution Control Plant’s wet weather storage ponds.

    Learn more: MAYOR HENRY AND CITY UTILITIES HIGHLIGHT INVESTMENTS IN SOLAR PANELS ON WET WEATHER PONDS

Wayne, Anthony - Statue

See Anthony Wayne page.

Wayne, Anthony - Fort

See Forts of Fort Wayne.

Wayne Biscuit Company

June 29, 2021 post by The History Center on Facebook:

Generations of Allen County residents have memories of the smell of baking bread wafting through downtown Fort Wayne. John B. Franke established the Wayne Biscuit Company in 1901, producing Perfection Wafers (P.W. Crackers) and later bread, cakes and cookies. In 1923 it became the first bakery in Indiana to offer wrapped bread. Always a family affair, after Franke’s death in 1927 his son-in-law H. Leslie Popp took over the running of the bakery (the Popp family still owns the bakery). By the mid-1950s the cookie and cracker lines were phased out. Since 1957 the iconic animated sign, featuring slices of bread falling fresh from the loaf, has been a landmark in downtown Fort Wayne. The aroma of baking bread began to waft over the city when Perfection Bakeries began making Sunbeam Bread in 1946 and Aunt Millie’s in the 1990s. Perfection Bakeries changed its name to Aunt Millie’s Bakeries in 2005. In 2017, it was announced that the Fort Wayne bakery would be closing. However, as a continued mark of its dedication to Fort Wayne, Aunt Millie’s announced that their corporate headquarters would remain at their Pearl Street location. #sociallyhistory

Wayne Candies

Made the locally famous Bun candy bar in 3 flavors, carmel, vanilla and maple. See Wayne Candies History at the The Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Whytehorse Studios, a graphic design and art studio, moved into the renovated building the 1st week of June 2013. This came from a comment by owner Dale White in the May 21, 2013 discussion of the candy bar and building on the original Great Memories and History of Fort Wayne, Indiana page on Facebook. The former home of Bun candy bars at 1501 E Wayne Street is now home to home to Anchor Films and Summit City Brewerksfeatured in Creative entrepreneurs inspire downtown's developing art scene by Kara Hackett published February 27, 2014 in The Journal Gazette newspaper. Discussed July 20, 2015 on You know you've lived in Fort Wayne too long when... Private Facebook group. Photo posed August 23, 2015 by Daniel Baker on Facebook. Photos and discussion January 8, 2017, January 24, 2017, March 3, 2017, March 23, 2017 and August 11, 2017 on. Photo and discussion May 27, 2017 on You are positively from Fort Wayne, if you remember... Archived group only visible to existing members on Facebook and on the original Great Memories and History of Fort Wayne, Indiana page on Facebook.

Wayne Candies ca. 1976
By Randy Harter
Fort Wayne Reader
2017-02-03

Wayne Candies building

Fort Wayne’s beloved Wayne Candies started life in 1902 as the confections manufacturer Heit-Miller-Lau Company so named after the founders’ three names; Anthony Heit, Joseph Miller and Thomas Lau. The company made a number of different candies including the Mary Wayne and Lady Wayne Chocolate’s brand (named after Mary Penrose Wayne, General Anthony Wayne’s wife) and sold to drug stores, variety stores , and mom and pop grocery stores throughout the area.

In 1930 W. Charles Dickmeyer bought the Heit-Miller-Lau Company and changed the company name to Wayne Candies. Dickmeyer had been with the company since 1919, and for years previously had been the sales manager for Perfection Bakeries.

While Fort Wayne Candies had made “nut clusters” along with a host of other candies they either sold in white bags or boxed with the chocolates in brown paper holders (much like Wittman’s Samplers today), in 1947 they copyrighted “Vanilla Cream Bun,” and the Bun Bar as we know it was officially born. By 1957 the Bun Bar was popular enough that it began to appear in retailers’ newspaper ads. In 1967 the company was issued a trademark for the advertising slogan “It’s Fun To Eat A Bun” which had been developed by well-known local advertising agency executive Louie Bonsib.

Fort Wayne Candies had several locations over the years, beginning at 1131 South Calhoun, then 113 East Jefferson and finally moving into the old American Fork and Hoe plant in 1950, which had been built in 1905 for the National Handle Co. and still stands to this day at 1501 East Berry, a block west of Anthony. In 2009 Brian Schaper/Metro Realty purchased the old Wayne Candies plant and has refurbished and given it a facelift in part with a City of Fort Wayne Commercial Facade Grant. The resulting building renaissance now houses a number of businesses including Summit City Brewerks and Anchor Films. After Dickmeyer died in 1968, his family sold the company (a process he had initiated) and his son Richard Dickmeyer opened Key III Candies along with Frank Hawker and Charles Nartker in 1973 on Earth Drive at Engle Road which operated until 2012.

In the meantime, Wayne Candies and its Bun Bar brand was owned by a number of large confection companies. The first outside owner was the Leaf Confectionary division of W. R. Grace (Whopper’s Malted Milk Balls), who then resold in 1974 to the Curtiss Candy division of Standard Brands (Baby Ruth and Butterfinger). It was while Standard Brands owned the company in the late 1970’s that the Reggie Bar (essentially a repackaged Caramel Bun Bar) named after baseball player Reggie Jackson was made in the Fort Wayne plant.

Standard Brands later merged with NABISCO in 1981 and they then sold Wayne Candies to the German firm Storck USA, makers of Werther’s Original, who later divested of it in 1992 to Pittsburgh Food and Beverage, owners of the Clark Bar and Slo Poke brands. They shuttered the local plant for good and moved production to Pennsylvania in 1995. A scant three years later in 1998, Pittsburgh Food and Beverage went bankrupt and the brand was picked up by Pearson’s Candy Company of St. Paul, MN, makers of Bit-O-Honey, Coconut Patties, Mint Patties, Nut Goodie, and now Bun Bars still deliciously manufactured in Vanilla, Maple and Caramel.

(Image courtesy of ACPL)

Randy Harter is a Fort Wayne historian and author of two books on local history.

May 8, 2017 post by Hofer and Davis, Inc. Land Surveyors on Facebook:

When we are "Out in the Field" doing a topographic survey, we like to check a U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey Benchmark with a known elevation. This one is unusual because it is set in a building, in this case the old Wayne Candies, Home of the Bun Bar!

Another U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey Benchmark with a known elevation is on the Bursley building built in 1913 now Party Apart on the SE corner of Superior and Clinton.

Back to top

Wayne Cooperative Milk Producers

3651 North Clinton Street View photo (2008 empty lot) from Google maps

3651 North Clinton Street has a complicated history is currently Carmax. See I. J. Jones and Fort Wayne Dairies. the I.J. Recycling plant was torn down in 1993 after a chemical reaction forced the evacuation of 3,000 people in a 20-block area September 9, 1986 near Glenbrook Mall leading to a $9 million government-led environmental clean-up.

  1. WAYNE COOPERATIVE MILK PRODUCERS INC. (1950), 3651 NORTH CLINTON STREET image and WAYNE COOPERATIVE MILK PRODUCERS, 3651 N. CLINTON STREET, FORT WAYNE: EXTERIOR SHOWING CORNER OF BUILDING AND PARKING LOT, WITH TRUCK AND CARS. 1950. image at Allen County Public Library Digital Collections at the Allen County Public Library.
  2. A January 11, 2023 post with over a dozen photos by The History Center on Facebook:

    National Milk Day on January 11th commemorates the day many believe that the first milk deliveries in glass bottles began in the United States. In Fort Wayne, what to do with the local dairy farmers milk was a concerning problem well into the 20th century. In the 1930s, K.L. Stickler began dreaming of a mammoth smoke stack lit at night, presiding over a building to receive milk, but a building such as the community had never seen. Beginning in 1934 in a little office on Court Street, an idea was launched. The idea was to make it easier for local farmers to get their milk to quality markets. In the first years they went through several locations: Columbia Street, South Lafayette Street, and Berry Street. In the 1940s the group decided to build a receiving plant. Construction of the new building at 3651 North Clinton, begun in 1946 and was designed by local architect A.M. Strauss. Wayne Co-Operative Milk Products, Incorporated received its first milk in May of 1948. In 1951, the plant expanded with the addition of another receiving room, a powdered milk room, garage and also a modem office. To the fast-growing list of products was added condensed milk, ice cream, cheese and later Reddi-Whip. The company continued to grow with the addition of a retail outlet for their products. Growth continued for the company as they were able to purchase facilities in Antwerp and Cleveland, Ohio and Coldwater, Michigan. In 1978, the name of the company was changed to Milk Marketing, Inc, and ceased operations in 1980. The facility was later used as an industrial waste site, which later caught fire, destroying the Art Deco-Strauss designed building. Today the location has be environmentally cleaned and is the location of CarMax near Glenbrook Mall. Take some time today to celebrate National Milk Day with your favorite milk products.

Waynedale

February 15, 2015 post by The Waynedale News on Facebook:

Waynedale is founded on this day!

It was on this day, February 15, 1921 that Abner Elzey made his purchase-Waynedale. Waynedale represented the dream of Elzey for a community in which anyone could build and raise a family.

The original boundary of Waynedale was McArthur Drive on the south, Old Trail Road on the east, Lower Huntington Road on the north and Beaty Avenue on the west. The only residence was the Cunnison farm. This was located where Umber's Do It Best is today.

🥳 Waynedale Celebrates 103 Years Today! For some, Waynedale is a place where they live, for others, it’s a place to...

Posted by The Waynedale News on Thursday, February 15, 2024

February 15, 2024 post by The Waynedale News on Facebook:

🥳 Waynedale Celebrates 103 Years Today!

For some, Waynedale is a place where they live, for others, it’s a place to work. However, most people you ask who know the community will say it’s definitely a very special place to be, not like any other part of Fort Wayne. And, its a unique oddity that when you ask someone from here where you live, it's always "Waynedale" and not Fort Wayne, like those in other communities might respond. As we celebrate the area’s 103rd Anniversary, it’s a great time to look around and truly appreciate the many people, organizations, and businesses that make the community absolutely wonderful!

Nestled outside the “big city” of Fort Wayne, Waynedale was once an unincorporated town founded in 1921 by Abner Elzey. Since then, it was absorbed into Fort Wayne’s growing infrastructure. Interestingly, the most unique thing about the community is that it has still maintained the “Waynedale” name 65 years after the town was annexed into Fort Wayne in 1957.

Naming the community was difficult. At first, Elzey had intended to name the community after his only daughter, Ilo, but this idea was dropped. And since those living in this area spoke of Fort Wayne as “Wayne,” he chose that as part of the name, using the name of his son “Dale” as the other.

As the community has grown outside its humble beginnings, its boundaries have begun to blur, but most would say that “you will know it when you’re there.” Many would attribute the stronghold in community identity found nowhere else in Fort Wayne as a testament to the many great things that the community holds and represents. Waynedale is in its people, its businesses, and the many things there are to do here.

It’s often said that you can find everything you need without leaving the community. Once a farming town, Waynedale is also uniquely still host to many family-owned businesses that have stood the test of time and continue to offer great service and products today. It’s endearing that the tradition of supporting local businesses is still strong here.

Throughout time, the newspaper has also helped strengthen and maintain Waynedale’s community identity. The first edition of The Waynedale News came out on September 2, 1932. Arden McCoy was the editor, and the paper consisted of a single sheet measuring 15 by 10 inches. Noble’s Home Store was the main advertiser, listing Hershey Cocoa at one pound for .17 cents and Camay Toilet Soap at .05 cents per bar. Potatoes were 7.5 cents a peck and .25 cents per bushel.

Hand-in-hand passionate community members, the newspaper and local businesses still continue the tradition of celebrating, promoting and bringing together the community through its news, events for community members to enjoy, and projects like the weather siren to keep those in the community safe.

It is simply wonderful that the Waynedale community has been adorned with so many passionate people who not only want to help create a better place to live and work but also thrive.

As we look into the future, the community continues to have a bright outlook. With industry growing southwest of Waynedale, there are more and more jobs available for people who can live close by in our community. As entertainment venues like Electric Works and the Clyde continue to develop, there will be even more things to enjoy. And the City of Fort Wayne’s recent emphasis on growing southside businesses will also help to bring more opportunities to those in the Waynedale area.

On such a monumental occasion, Waynedale’s 103rd Anniversary is not only a time to celebrate, but a time to appreciate what we have. On behalf of the Waynedale News, I would like to take a moment to thank the many people who make Waynedale great! Whether you’re a neighbor, business owner, or simply a passionate community member, your selfless hard work is being noticed and it is appreciated every day that everyone else is able to enjoy it. It takes everyone working together to make it happen, and we are so prideful and thankful for our community! 

Some of the titles from their series Looking Back at Waynedale History on The Waynedale News.comare listed below:

  1. September 2, 1932 the Waynedale News started publication. Waynedale News Celebrates Community Legacy published September 2, 2018 on The Waynedale News.com. Waynedale was annexed into Fort Wayne September 9, 1957.
  2. Waynedale History over several pages, page 2, page 3, page 4, page 5, with links to articles Looking Back at Waynedale History most written by Ed Noble are published on The Waynedale News.com. Links to some are listed below:
  3. The Waynedale History Book To Be Released in 2015.
  4. 100 Years Ago in 4-H - July 24, 2002
  5. The Waynedaler - January 8, 2003
  6. Waynedale United Methodist Church Choir - March 19, 2003
  7. In the Beginning - September 3, 2003
  8. First Millionaire in Waynedale - September 17, 2003
  9. The Growth of Waynedale Transportation - October 1, 2003
  10. The Esmond Mill - October 29, 2003
  11. First trading - October 29, 2003
  12. Lewisburg, Bingville, Mason or Waynedale - November 12, 2003
  13. The Way of Life in the 1910s and 1920s - November 26, 2003
  14. Let's Move to Waynedale - December 10, 2003
  15. Looking Back at Waynedale history - December 24, 2003
  16. Nobles Home Store part 2 - January 7, 2004
  17. Waynedale's First Library - January 21, 2004
  18. Speaking of Telephones - February 4, 2004
  19. Prarie Grove Church and Cemetery - February 18, 2004
  20. Waynedale 1929/1930 - March 3, 2004
  21. After 1929 Stock Market Crash - March 17, 2004
  22. Early 1900s - March 31, 2004
  23. Lincoln Highway - April 14, 2004
  24. Waynedale Annexed June 1957 - April 28, 2004
  25. Lester and Bertha Umber - May 12, 2004
  26. Lutheran Foundation History - May 12, 2004
  27. The Tower and the Church - May 26, 2004
  28. The Fort Wayne Aviation Company - June 09, 2004
  29. History of Wayne Township Fire Co. #1 1940-1983 by Paul W. Fairfield published February 23, 2005
  30. HAPPY 90TH BIRTHDAY WAYNEDALE February 25, 2011 by The Waynedale News Staff
  31. The story behind Waynedale's momentum by Amber Bouthot posted April 4, 2018 on Input Fort Wayne is about Alex Cornwell and Wayndedale News.
  32. HOW OUR COMMUNITY CAME TO BE February 26, 2021 by The Waynedale News Staff
  33. The Founding Of Our Community February 25, 2022 by The Waynedale News Staff
  34. Happy 101 Years, Waynedale! – From The Publisher February 25, 2022 by Alex Cornwell. Can you feel it? It’s the beginning of a new era in the Waynedale community! On February 15, 2022, Waynedale celebrated its 101st year since it’s founder, Abner Elzey, began the unincorporated town on that day in 1921. We have come a long way since the era of country stores, dirt roads, and horses.
  35. February 15, 2023 post by The Waynedale News on Facebook:

    Happy 102nd Birthday, Waynedale!

    At the time, Waynedale represented a dream of Abner Elzey for a community in which anyone could "build a home to his own design and enjoy suburban life." This unincorporated town of approximately 3,000 residents was situated about three miles southwest of Fort Wayne on State Roads 1 & 3, and was founded by Elzey on February 15, 1921.

    While standing on the southeast corner of the Lower Huntington Road and the present Old Trail Road, Elzey pointed to the southwest toward the Cunnison farmland and proclaimed it an ideal location for a community. The town built on the location and its surrounding area stands as a memorial to its founder. Naming the community was difficult. At first, Elzey had intended to name the community after his only daughter, Ilo, but this idea was dropped. And since those living in this area spoke of Fort Wayne as “Wayne,” he chose that as part of the name, using the name of his son “Dale” as the other.

    The only residence in the original plat was the Cunnison farmhouse, the site that is now occupied by Waynedale Do-It-Best Hardware. The original bounds of Waynedale were McArthur Drive on the south, Old Trail Road on the east, Lower Huntington Road on the north and Beaty Avenue on the west.

    Love community history? Look for more in this weekend's edition of The Waynedale News!

  36. March 1, 2023 post by The Waynedale News on Facebook shared a post by Tazza Café :

    Hey Waynedale, we have some fun old fashioned sodas that we crafted and named after historic places here locally! Which one will you be trying? Nia decided to try the Chief Richardsville which is a lemon lime and cherry soda!

    Kekionga, The Warthog, Elzey Street, Eagle Marsh, The Elmhurst, Fox Island, Chief Richarville, Fire Station 1.

  37. September 2, 2023 post by The Waynedale News on Facebook:

    Today, The Waynedale News celebrates 91 years in print! ❤️

    Since its modest beginnings in 1932, the newspaper has stood as a resilient community voice, advocate, and invaluable free resource for all to enjoy. The newspaper would like to take the opportunity to thank the many advertisers and sponsors who keep the lights on and the presses rolling, placing newspapers into the hands of readers.

    Astoundingly, The Waynedale News' readership has now reached an all-time high, with a remarkable 10% increase compared to recent years. The Waynedale News now resonates primarily within Waynedale, Aboite, Southtown, Downtown, and the 46807 district. While other printed publications grapple with dwindling content and readership, the dedicated team of community advocates and supporters are elated to consistently deliver the latest news and entertainment from their corner of the Fort Wayne community.

    Read more: https://waynedalenews.com/2023/09/for-the-love-of-community/

    Support The Historic Newspaper: https://waynedalenews.com/donate/

  38. December 8, 2023 post by The Waynedale News on Facebook:

    It was so incredibly endearing to see the hundreds of community members who came out tonight to offer their love, grief and support at the Candlelight Vigil To Honor The Memory Of Perla Nieto. By candlelight, Perla's family, friends, coworkers, and patrons of the Waynedale Kroger shared heartfelt memories of the beloved community member who touched so many lives.

    ♥️Thank you to the many loving people who worked quickly to turn such a horrific event into such a meaningful show of community togetherness.

Wayne Hotel

Was located on the South side of Columbia Street (The Landing) approximately in the middle of the block between Harrison and Calhoun. It was built by John C. Peters in 1887, who was Carole Lombard's (Carol Jane Peters) grandfather. It was later known as the Jones Hotel and then the Rosemarie Hotel. The Rosemarie Hotel met it's demise by a fire in 1975.

A June 13, 2019 by Hofer and Davis, Inc. Land Surveyors on Facebook:

For "Throwback Thursday" we share another picture/postcard from the Steuben County Government Building in the old Angola High School. As it says, this is the Wayne Hotel. It was located on the South side of Columbia Street (The Landing) approximately in the middle of the block between Harrison and Calhoun. It was built by John C. Peters in 1887, who was Carole Lombard's (Carol Jane Peters) grandfather. It was later known as the Jones Hotel and then the Rosemarie Hotel. The Rosemarie Hotel met it's demise by a fire in 1975. 

Wayne Knitting Mills

Street View photo from Google maps on Watkins Street near Boone Street from 2011
is a similar location to the 2022 photo of the new Historic Wayne Knitting Mills Park Nebraska Neighborhood Association sign.

October 14, 2022 post by Nebraska Neighborhood Association, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46808 on Facebook

Showing the new Historic Wayne Knitting Mills Park sign (more on Google) .

On Growth Avenue in the Nebraska Neighborhood. The sprawling hosiery factory site was started by Theordore F. Thieme as Thieme Brothers Knitting Mills circa 1875, and incorporated as Wayne Knitting Mills in 1891. By 1905, it employed approximately 1,100 workers and became the largest maker of knitted hosiery in the world, spurring residential development in the area. The business thrived well into the 1900s. Today, the mill complex consists of five buildings.

  1. Wayne Knitting Mills photos and Wayne Knitting Mills collection at the Allen County Public Library Digital Collections at the Allen County Public Library.
  2. June 26, 2023 post by Genealogy Center on Facebook:

    Wayne Knitting Mills, located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, was America's largest producer of silk hosiery from 1892 to 1960.

    This collection is comprised of company’s two publications: Wayne Knitting Mills News Letter (1952-1954) and Wayne Knit Rav-Lings (1913). Posting these newsletters is a cooperative project of Fort Wayne’s History Center and The Genealogy Center.

    View them here: http://contentdm.acpl.lib.in.us/digital/collection/WKM

  3. Industrial "Girls" in an Early Twentieth–Century Boomtown: Traditions and Change in Fort Wayne, Indiana, 1900—1920 by Peggy Brase Seigel Published: Sep 1, 2003, Volume 99, Issue 3, September 2003 , in Indiana Magazine of History journal in the archives at Indiana University Scholarworks.
  4. April 20, 2023 post by The History Center on Facebook:

    Wayne Knitting Mills was established in 1891 by Theodore F. Thieme to manufacture “full-fashioned hosiery.” The company was one of the largest employers of young women at this time. The company produced the nation’s first line of fashion hosiery and exhibited it at the 1904 St. Louis Exposition. During World War I, the factory produced fifty thousand standard issue woolen army socks, and organized drum corps and marching bands as well as a girls’ chorus called the “Knittingales” to help boost morale. As early as the 1920s, most of its employees were female, and the company’s buildings included a dormitory for female workers who had come from rural areas and small towns. Women worked as “transfer girls” and “loopers,” and used less complicated knitting machines than those used by the male knitters. In 1923, however, Wayne Knitting Mills was the focus of one of the city's most celebrated financial episodes. Thieme had decided to sell the plant to Munsingwear, then abruptly changed his mind. Other stockholders, however, led by Wayne president Sam Foster, still wanted to sell and were angered by what they considered to be Thieme's unfairness toward stockholders. Eventually the sale went through and the company for a time was still known as Wayne Knit, but later Munsingwear. After 70 years in business the Wayne Knitting Mills closed their doors for the final time in 1960, with all of its operations transferred to Tennessee. #sociallyhistory

  5. A February 1, 2018 post by Hoch Associates on Facebook stated:

    Is it Thursday already? Here's a little throwback of the block where Freimann Square now sits! Does anyone know of anyone who remembers this or worked here?

    "Established in 1891 at the northeast corner of Clinton and Main Streets by Theodore F. Thieme, Wayne Knitting Mills would become one of the city's largest and best known turn of the century employers. By the 1920s, there were 1,500 people - many of whom were women!! - working at this expansive factory at West Main Street and Knitters Avenue turning out seamless Wayne Knit Hosiery for women and pony socks for boys and girls.

    Thieme started the company by first importing both machinery and a handful of skilled workers from Germany. He took a very benevolent approach to his employees; the company had profit sharing, group insurance, a clubhouse, and dormitories to encourage women who didn't live close by to work at the plant. Thieme also sponsored many employee athletic leagues and musical groups."

    Photo courtesy of Randolf Harter's "Postcard History Series, Fort Wayne"

    ***************

    A colorized version of the top postcard is labeled Wayne Knitting Mills, Fort Wayne, IN. FWFV00646A in the Allen County Public Library Digital Collections at the Allen County Public Library.

    On page 589 of the Fort Wayne, Indiana, city directory 1891-1892 by R.L. Polk & Co. on Archive.org listed under Knitting Works: Wayne Knitting Mills, n e cor E Main and Clinton.

  6. An October 8, 2014 post by The History Center on Facebook:

    Bottom: employees of the Wayne Knitting Mills

  7. A November 9, 2015 post by Hofer and Davis, Inc. Land Surveyors on Facebook.

    "Out in the Field" with Hofer and Davis, Inc. While working on West Main Street last week, we were investigating what remains of the Norfolk and Southern Railroad just North of Paula's. From 1892-1960 the Wayne Knitting Mills produced hosiery from this plant on West Main Street at Growth Avenue (or Knitters Avenue). The brick smokestack still remains, although shorter, and one can still see the "MILLS" on its side. By the way..... A.K. Hofer surveyed the Knitting Mills in 1961 and William S. Davis updated the survey in 1985! 

    Shared November 9, 2022 on True Fort Wayne Indiana History on Facebook.

  8. Fort Wayne, IN: Wayne Knitting Mills September 30, 2017 on Towns and Nature blog.
  9. June 24, 2019 post by Indiana Magazine of History on Facebook:

    In 1891, Wayne Knitting Mills began producing full-fashioned hosiery (knit to the contours of the leg and not in a straight tube) at their mill in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The successful company became a major employer in the city. In 1904, a Wayne Knitting Mills Pavilion was a feature of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition.

    But German American businessman Theodore Thieme had experienced significant difficulty finding skilled workers to operate the knitting machines he wanted to produce superior hosiery. Thieme had travelled (incognito) to the town of Chemnitz, Germany, where he persuaded families of skilled knitting mill workers to emigrate to Indiana to work in his mill and train their American co-workers.

    The labor conflicts set off by Thieme's business strategy, both in Germany and in Indiana, are explored in Nancy Brown's article "Challenging Economic Borders" in the March 2016 issue of the Indiana Magazine of History [Volume 112, Issue 1, March 2016], available free online through IU ScholarWorks.

    Indiana Magazine of History journal in the archives at Indiana University Scholarworks.

  10. Challenging Economic Borders Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Chemnitz, Germany by Nancy Brown, 32 pages, published April 17, 2018 in Volume 112, Issue 1, March 2016 in Indiana Magazine of History journal in the archives at Indiana University Scholarworks
  11. An October 9, 2018 by ARCH ( Architecture and Community Heritage) on Facebook stated:

    Are you familiar with Wayne Knitting Mills? Located in Fort Wayne's Nebraska neighborhood, the sprawling hosiery factory site was first established as Thieme Brothers Knitting Mills circa 1875, and incorporated as Wayne Knitting Mills in 1891. By 1905, it employed approximately 1,100 workers, spurring residential development in the area. The business thrived well into the 1900s. Today, the mill complex consists of five buildings.

    Lots of comments including one by Jim Sacks:

    Story goes that Theodore Thieme, a first generation American, was "home" in Dresden when he learned of the advent of fashion hosiery, what we now call socks. He saw an opportunity, raised some money and bought a factory there which he shipped to the US. The Germany government was not pleased when they found out, a bit of intellectual theft, as we call it today. Thieme had the factory set up at the location shown above and quickly found the few young Germans who had come along for the adventure were not numerous enough to keep up with demand, which had been spurred by demonstrations in a booth at the St. Louis Expo of 1905, so he began advertising in the Vaterland for workers and hundreds, if not a thousand plus came to Fort Wayne. The language of the plant was, of course, German. Thieme and his investors became fantastically rich. His son was a wealthy investor and land developer and his grandson was a local judge with membership number one at the Summit Club, and lifetime privileges at the Country Club. Theodore Thieme's philantrophy can be seen in the Thieme Overlook at Main and...Thieme Drive along the St. Mary's. He was also active in other community efforts until his death. As I remember, he was one of the founders of the German-American Bank, later renamed Lincoln Bank.  

  12. Google image search for Wayne Knitting Mills
  13. Google image search for Wayne Knitting Mills in newspapers produces items like Club Life at Wayne Knitting Mills in the The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette from Fort Wayne, Indiana · Page 33 on Sunday, February 3, 1916
  14. Wayne knit rav-lings: The voice of the Wayne Knit Community, 1918-02 in the Company Employee Newsletters at the Indiana State Library Digital Collection.
  15. Fort Wayne Knitters by Kevin Leininger November 14, 1982 in theCityscapes from the Archives of The News-Sentinel newspaper
  16. Photos and more on Wayne Knitting Mills, Fort Wayne, Indiana on Encyclopedia by Mark Hedlund published November 28, 2017 of Forlorn Places.
  17. Wayne Knitting Mills 1930 by Michael Summers posted 2006-05-08 in Fort Wayne Reader
  18. Theodore Thieme -- Fort Wayne Industrialist by Nancy McCammon-Hansen posted July 12, 2013 on History Center Notes & Queries blog.
  19. January 8, 2023 over 20 photos posted on True Fort Wayne Indiana History on Facebook some showing some of remaining brick street.

Wayne Lodge No. 25

July 10, 2023 post by the Genealogy Center on Facebook:

Wayne Lodge No. 25, the oldest Masonic Lodge in northern Indiana, was established and authorized to meet in Fort Wayne on March 22, 1823. The Masonic Temple in Fort Wayne gave The Genealogy Center permission to digitize and post online this collection of Wayne Lodge Minute Books covering 1823 through 1958. These books document some of the early leaders of Fort Wayne, including familiar names such as Ewing, Foster, Rudisill, and Wells.

Take a look here: July 10, 2023 post by the Masonic Lodges of Greater Fort Wayne

History of Wayne Lodge, No. 25, F. & A.M., Fort Wayne, Indiana : together with by-laws and roster of memberships to September 1, 1911 Publication date 1911, Topics:  Freemasons. Wayne Lodge No. 25Freemasonrygenealogy, on Archive.org

Wayne Paper Box/Superior Lofts

Wayne Paper Box factory which still stands today at the northwest corner of Superior and Calhoun. Founded as Fort Wayne Paper Box Company by Andrew Burry and Joel Welty in 1897 and incorporated the next year (1898) as Wayne Paper Box & Printing, it would later become Wayne Paper Box Corp. Its early customers included the locally owned Jenny Electric Co., Fox Candy and Wayne Knitting Mills. The company made a variety of paper products including folding corrugated boxes, gift boxes, mailing tubes, stationery, calendars and even postcards (many of which depicted Fort Wayne scenes).Wayne Paper Box factory which still stands today at the northwest corner of Superior and Calhoun. Founded as Fort Wayne Paper Box Company by Andrew Burry and Joel Welty in 1897 and incorporated the next year (1898) as Wayne Paper Box & Printing, it would later become Wayne Paper Box Corp. Its early customers included the locally owned Jenny Electric Co., Fox Candy and Wayne Knitting Mills. The company made a variety of paper products including folding corrugated boxes, gift boxes, mailing tubes, stationery, calendars and even postcards (many of which depicted Fort Wayne scenes). See photo ca. 1953 and the rest of the article Wayne Paper Box c. 1953 by Randy Harter, Fort Wayne historian and authorpublished June 14, 2018 in Fort Wayne Reader and discussed June 16, 2018 on You are positively from Fort Wayne, if you remember... Archived group only visible to existing members on Facebook. The current building was built in 1904 and closed in 2000. The restored industrial building houses 72 high-end apartments, 21,000 square feet of street-level retail space and climate-controlled self-storage units and is currently known as Superior Lofts located in the heart of Riverfront Fort Wayne homeatsuperiorlofts.com/about/.

Wayne Paper Goods Co.

In the 1920s made printed cardboard doll houses shown in two photos February 21, 2014on the original Great Memories and History of Fort Wayne, Indiana page on Facebook.

Wayne Pipe & Supply, Inc.

Distributors of Plumbing, Heating, & Industrial Supply 117 anniversary on January 1, 2013

Wayne Pump Home Equipment Company

Building at 800 Glasgow Ave. was once the Wayne Pump factory. For a time in the 20th Century, Fort Wayne was rightly known as the world's leading pump-maker. But thanks to the city's planned $250 million tunnel designed to curb the flow of raw sewage into the rivers, another architectural remnant of those glory days is slated for demolition. ... Matthew Wirtz, City Utilities' chief engineer, said the location will make it easy to pump water and sewage from the tunnel into the adjacent Water Pollution Control Plant, which will send the treated sludge to holding ponds further to the east. Copied from Tunnel project will claim latest piece of city's once-proud pump heritage by Kevin Leininger published February 28, 2017 in The News-Sentinel newspaper.

  1. In 1915, a Wayne Oil Tank & Pump Company Lincoln Highway Special car was prominently displayed on the opening of the nationwide Lincoln Highway film promotion Three-mile Picture Show which unfortunately no longer exists, but individual photos do.
  2. Ads posted Honest Measure, Pay Attention, Penny's Worth, Whole Family, on February 15, 2017 on You are positively from Fort Wayne, if you remember... Archived group only visible to existing members on Facebook.
  3. Discussed February 28, 2017 on You are positively from Fort Wayne, if you remember... Archived group only visible to existing members on Facebook.
  4. Bulletins (Volume 1 - 1920) - Wayne Oil Tank & Pump Company, Individual bulletins designed to fit together in a cover supplied by the company.
  5. Bulletins] (Volume 2) - Wayne Oil Tank & Pump Company, Individual bulletins designed to fit together in a cover supplied by the company.
  6. See photos and discussion April 23, 2017 on You are positively from Fort Wayne, if you remember... Archived group only visible to existing members on Facebook.
  7. When Hofer and Davis, Inc. Land Surveyors are "Out in the Field" doing a topographic survey, they like to check a U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey Benchmark with a known elevation. An unusual one is set in the old Wayne Candies building shown in photos posted May 8, 2017 on their Facebook page.
  8. Photo taken June 29, 1910 of new plant on Tecumseh Avenue, which remained in operation until 1972, was posted October 3, 2017 onthe original Great Memories and History of Fort Wayne, Indiana page on Facebook.
  9. Photos posted April 4, 2019 of Wayne gas pumps at Florida Walt Disney World have plaques saying made in Fort Wayne on You are positively from Fort Wayne, if you remember... Archived group only visible to existing members on Facebook. See photo of item #31 in this article: 32 Intriguing Hidden Secrets at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

1337 West Wayne Street

Street View photo from Google Maps

1337 W. Wayne on Pocketsights.com. 

September 5, 2023 post by West Central Neighborhood on Facebook:

Check out this fabulous write-up in the Journal Gazette, featuring Stop #2 on the Home Tour!

Tour to feature 113-year-old home The red brick and white trim manor home at 1337 W. Wayne Street that was once owned by Howell and Vallette Rockhill sits behind a small wrought-iron gate and walkway that leads to a large, covered, front porch. The 5,300-square-foot Colonial Revival home was designed by English-born Fort Wayne architect Charles Weatherhogg and built in 1910 for the son and daughter-in-law of William Rockhill, a member of the first Fort Wayne City Council who would later serve in the U.S. Congress from 1847 to 1849. The house was later converted into a series of apartments known as "The Wingspread" until it was converted back to single-family use after a previous owner purchased it in 2015.

Wayne Township Trustee Office

November 24, 2023 post by The Waynedale News on Facebook:

Did Solar Yield Savings? ~ Voice Of The Township:

The Wayne Township Trustee's Office - Fort Wayne has been using rooftop solar panels to supply electrical energy to their building at 320 East Superior Street since the fall of 2022, when the newly installed panels went into operation. . .

Read on: Did Solar Yield Savings? ~ Voice Of The Township / Watch the video: Solar Energy and Efficiency Improvements

Wayne Trace

Corner of Wayne Trace and New Haven Avenue, Street View photo at Google maps shows the Wayne Trace monument with plaque at Sieling Park

Page 133, "WAYNE TRACE." in The pictorial history of Fort Wayne, Indiana : a review of two centuries of occupation of the region about the head of the Maumee River by Griswold, B. J. (Bert Joseph), 1873-1927; Taylor, Samuel R., Mrs, Publication date 1917 on Archive.org.

The famous "Wayne Trace," extending from the city of Fort Wayne to the city of Cincinnati, marks the pathway of General Wayne from the fort which bore his name to the site of Fort Washington. The upper map Indicates the route taken by General Wayne and the lower drawing shows that portion of the route within the city of Fort Wayne. A sketch of the "marker" erected by the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1906, is also shown.

  1. Wayne Trace with photo states: Large stone dredged from St. Mary's River with bronze plaque marking the old Indian trail used by the armies of Generals Harmar (1790), Wayne (1791) and Harrison (1812). Placed originally on October 22, 1907 in Seiling Park, Wayne Trace and New Haven Avenues. Broken in 1990 and repaired by Park Board. Broken again in 1993 and was repaired by the Park Board and moved away from the intersection. The marker reads: Wayne Trace Once the Indian trail to Cincinnati The route of General Harmar's army in 1790 of General Wayne's when leaving the stockade Christened by Major Hamtramck "Fort Wayne in 1794 Also of General Harrison's army in 1812 Erected by Mary Penrose Wayne Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution. Copied from the DAR Markers page of the Mary Penrose Wayne Chapter National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Fort Wayne, Indiana.
  2. Wayne Trace Once the Indian trail to Cincinnati The route Of General Harmer's Army in 1790 Of General Wayne's When leaving the stockade Christened by Major Hamtramck "Fort Wayne" in 1794 Also of General Harrison's Army In 1812. on plaque from Wayne Trace at The Historical Marker Datatbase HMdb.org.
  3. Wayne Trace is mentioned under Mad Anthony's Battle (By Randy McNutt) in the Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 118 (Friday, August 19, 1994) at GovInfo.gov.
  4. November 9, 2015 post by Hofer and Davis, Inc. Land Surveyors on Facebook:

    Our friend and fellow surveyor, Kurt Luebke , now living in Missoula, Montana had inquired last week if we could get a picture of the plaque referenced in Part 4 of the "Did you know" series run by Wolf and Dessauer in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette in 1937 (See Throwback Thursday Nov. 5, 2015). We found it and here you go!

Back to top

89.1 WBOI Northeast Indiana Public Radio

https://www.wboi.org/about-us states: Northeast Indiana Public Radio is the licensee for 89.1 WBOI - NPR News & Diverse Music, WBOI.org, WBOI Studios Podcasts, and Classical WBNI. NIPR is a 501(c)3 non-profit, charitable organization.

The mission of Northeast Indiana Public Radio is to strengthen the cultural, civic, and social fabric of the communities we serve, and to engage audiences with content that enriches the human experience. We apply our core competencies of reporting and storytelling, our relationship with audiences, and our capacity for innovation to create a space where audiences congregate, connect and contribute to a shared understanding of their community, their country, and the world. They have many interesting sections such as News, Culture, News Archives that goes back to 1970, and more.

Weather

See our Fort Wayne Weather page.

1441 Wells Street

August 18, 2023 post by Sturges Property Group on Facebook:

It's the THIRD installment of FUN 👏 FACT 👏 FRIDAY 👏 where we take you back in time to learn some history about some of your favorite buildings in Fort Wayne!

Today, 1441 Wells Street! 📍 This building, located within the famous Historic Wells Street Corridor, was built in 1900 and soon after was home to the Palace Theatre. 📽️ In 1917, the name was changed to the Wells Theatre, which opened on April 10th of that year and boasted 275 seats. 💺

In 1920, ownership of the Wells Theatre changed hands to Alfred Borkenstein, who announced that the building would be extensively remodeled. 🚧

Throughout the next few decades, the Wells Theatre continued its business providing entertainment 🍿 to the people of Fort Wayne, but it unfortunately closed in the 1950s.

Much later, 1441 Wells Street was home to Koehlinger Kruse Security 🔒 as an office, and then was transformed into warehouse space. 🏭

Today, the classic brick building with its green tile roof and green awning is for sale! It neighbors many awesome local businesses, like Honey Plant, 🌱 Big Eyed Fish, 🐟 Hyde Brothers, Booksellers, 📚 and Klemm's On Wells! 🍽️

Want to revitalize a historic building? See our listing down below for more information! 👇👇👇

https://sturgesproperty.com/proper.../wells-street-warehouse

#fortwayne #fortwaynehistory #sturgespropertygroup #commercialrealestate

ARCH, Inc. The History Center Allen County Public Library

2135 Wells Street

September 7, 2023 post by ARCH, Inc. on Facebook:

The Miller’s Drug Store Building c. 1910/1968, 2135 Wells Street, is a good example of a nearly unaltered 20th Century Commercial style building. Now home to Moring Floral, it’s not necessarily architecturally notable but is important because it is relatively unaltered and an asset to the community. Few of these neighborhood retail stores are still standing as modern commercial districts and neighborhoods have surrounded them. The building has rectangular massing, variegated yellow brick walls, original wood display windows and 3/4 glazed door. The building has an interesting retail background. In 1927 the building was a Piggly Wiggly Store, but by 1930 the Miller Family had turned it into a drugstore. It remained a drugstore until 2015 and is currently the Moring Florist Shop. ARCH is proud to present this edition of Throwback Thursday, part of its work as the historic preservation organization serving the greater Fort Wayne area, made possible by ARCH members and donors. Thank you.

Website: https://www.moringsflowersin.com/, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Morings-Flowers-and-Gifts/

Wells Street Bridge

See our Wells Street Bridge page.

Wells Street Marker

Fort Wayne Fort Dearborn Trail marker discussed in Old Trail to Chicago from Fort Wayne by Tom Castaldi, local historian published April 19, 2016 on History Center Notes & Queries blog.

Wells Theatre

1441 N. Wells Street - opened April 10, 1917 with seating for 275. Closed in the 1950s.

West Central Neighborhood

West Central Historic District is Fort Wayne's Largest and Oldest Residential Historic district. West Central was designated as a local historic district in two phases in 1984-1985. It was listed in the National Register in 1984. The district contains virtually all architectural styles that were popular between 1830 and 1950. From item #4 in 10 Things to Know About Historic Preservation in Fort Wayne at City of Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne has 17 districts listed in the National Register of Historic Places and 40 single property National Register listings. The Association has a History page listing Historic Buildings and Structures of the West Central Neighborhood Association Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Western Newspaper Union Building

437 E. Berry Street, Street View photo from Google Maps
The stone marker on Clay Street marks this as the site of Anthony Wayne's 1794 Fort.

August 17, 2023 post by ARCH, Inc. on Facebook:

The Western Newspaper Union Building, 437 E. Berry Street, is a Craftsman-style building, c. 1916. Craftsman style, (c. 1905-c.1935), focuses on simple design and fine craftsmanship. Gen. Anthony Wayne built his fort on this spot in 1794. Its replacement was further west, and by 1819 the soldiers were gone. The federal government was soon to sell the land it owned here. The property was sold to Cyrus Taber in 1835, who platted the area into lots. Lot 11, as it was called, was a residence until 1916 when this building was built. Henry Hilgeman and Henry Wehrenberg built it as an investment. Weekly small-town newspapers were printed here. Today it is part of the Arts Campus Fort Wayne Cultural District and is the home of Cinema Center and the Dance Collective. ARCH is proud to present this edition of Throwback Thursday, part of its work as the historic preservation organization serving the greater Fort Wayne area, made possible by ARCH members and donors. Thank you.

WFWA - PBS Fort Wayne 39 Television

Google map photo from Street View

PBS Fort Wayne 39, 2501 E. Coliseum Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 46805-1562, wfwa.org. Wallace J. “Wally” Fosnight, died May 17, 2018 in Elm Grove, Wisconsin, at age 79, he was preceded in death by his parents, Howard J. and Edna Mae Paff Fosnight. A 1977 Journal Gazette story Child’s tears brought TV 39 to life by Alan Klanoff published March 28, 1977 recounted how in 1969, Fosnight and his family left Pittsburgh for a job in Fort Wayne. His 4-year-old daughter Wendy cried when she found she could not watch “MisterRogers' Neighborhood” in Fort Wayne. Wally wrote to the office of National Educational Television in Ann Arbor, Michigan, a major funding source for public television. He asked what it would cost to underwrite daily telecasts of the children's show featuring the friendly man in the cardigan sweater. In 1975, Fort Wayne finally had access to public television. Read more in Man who led drive for local PBS dies Wally Fosnight, 79, helped found WFWA by Rosa Salter Rodriquez published June 10, 2018 in The Journal Gazette newspaper. Remembering Wally Fosnight: PBS39 Founder on wfwa.org. WorldCat has a list of their videos produced over the years. PrimeTime39: https://www.pbs.org/show/primetime39/ has episodes online back to 2017. This area’s only in-depth, live, weekly news, analysis and cultural update forum, PrimeTime airs Fridays at 7:30pm. This program is hosted by PBS Fort Wayne’s President/General Manager Bruce Haines.WFWA-TV39 (Television station : Fort Wayne, Ind.) search results at the Allen County Public Library. Over the years PBS Fort Wayne has created many documentaries, although many appear to longer be available. Most PBS Fort Wayne Specials require Passport membership for watching online:

  1. Fort Wayne on the air , 1992, "Takes a look at the history of broadcasting in Fort Wayne with the help of veteran broadcasters like Bob Sievers, Chris Roberts, Hilliard Gates and many more. VHS at Allen County Public Library.
  2. Fort Wayne memories. The '50s / producer, writer, editor, Claudia Johnson ; WFWA-TV39, 1994, Accompanied by photographs and film footage, Fort Wayne residents tell what life was like in their city in the 1950s. VHS at Allen County Public Library.
  3. Fort Wayne Home for the Holidays Special | 56m 27s Take a look at the 1994 local documentary, Fort Wayne Home for the Holidays, featuring segments on Christmas at the Wolf & Dessauer department store, Fort Wayne Santa Claus Phil Steigerwald, the restoration of two Fort Wayne light displays, and more. Aired: 12/01/94 Rating: TV-G. "Once upon a time Christmas meant snow for sledding, a trip downtown to visit WanDerland at Wolf & Dessauer's and dreaming of a bicycle from 'Uncle Win' Koehlinger's store. WFWA-TV39 captures the magic of [Fort Wayne's] hometown holidays--past and present--in this very special program hosted by one of Fort Wayne's most memorable 'Santas, ' Phil Steigerwald." DVD at the Allen County Public Library.
  4. Fort Wayne memories. The forties / producer, writer, Claudia Johnson ; a production of WFWA-TV39 1995 Accompanied by photographs and film footage, Fort Wayne residents tell what life was like in their city in the 1940s. DVD at Allen County Public Library.
  5. Collecting Fort Wayne 1997 "Highlights a variety of Fort Wayne treasures and artifacts and the fascinating stories behind the 'finds.'" VHS at Allen County Public Library
  6. Fort Wayne: Lost But Not Forgotten Special | 56m 52s Explore Fort Wayne's rich history of past places. Aired: 01/01/97 Rating: NR. "From the Gardner's restaurant to the old Greyhound bus station; hotels, theaters and other places are remembered fondly. Using first-person narratives along with many archival photographs and other visual records, 'Fort Wayne Lost (But Not Forgotten)' gives you and your family a look at places that might not be here phyysically, but that still hold a special place in our hearts--and our history." DVD at Allen County Public Library.
  7. WOWO Legends Special | 1h 2m 51s Local radio personalities gather at the WFWA studios to reminisce about WOWO (AM radio). Featuring Bob Sievers, Bob Chase, Don Chevillet, Ron Gregory, and Chris Roberts. Aired: 03/02/98 Rating: NR VHS at Allen County Public Library.
  8. Fort Wayne - A Most German Town Special | 57m 22s The rich history of German immigrants and culture in Fort Wayne. Aired: 03/20/98 Rating: NR. VHS at Allen County Public Library.
  9. A conversation with Bob Sievers 1999 "Join Bob as he reminisces with Jane Avery Doswell about his long career in broadcasting from the 'world famous WOWO Fire Escape.' Bob gives an insider's perspective on how the business of radio and advertising has changed over the years, as well as the Fort Wayne area and America itself."--Container. VHS at Allen County Public Library.
  10. Fort Wayne memories. The '60s / producer, Claudia Johnson ; a production of PBS39 WFWA, 1999, "Through extensive interviews with many Fort Wayne area residents, old news footage, photographs and home movies, revisit this very significant time in Fort Wayne and American history, marked by new attitudes, technological advances and cultural change." VHS at Allen County Public Library.
  11. Landmarks: Remembering Fort Wayne Special | 56m 2s Learn about the history of past and present Fort Wayne landmarks. Aired: 03/13/00 Rating: NR. Discusses the memorable buildings--some of them now gone--in downtown Fort Wayne. Interviews with residents provide historical and architectural insight. DVD or VHS at Allen County Public Library.
  12. The story of Smith Field Fort Wayne : PBS 39 WFWA, 2002 Fort Wayne's oldest municipal airfield was re-named Smith Field in honor of aviation pioneer Art Smith, 'The Bird Boy of Fort Wayne.' It served the community as a hub of commercial, corporate and industrial endeavors for over 75 years. Learn about Smith Field's history and watch as local policy makers, citizens and community activists debate this historic airport's future in this exclusive documentary presentation from PBS-39. VHS at Allen County Public Library.
  13. Memorial City: The Lindenwood Chronicles Special | 51m 30s Learn about the history of Fort Wayne's historic Lindenwood Cemetery. Aired: 01/04/02 Rating: NR. 'Memorial City: the Lindenwood Chronicles' takes you beyond mausoleums, grass and gravestones to offer insights of some of the people interred at Lindenwood. The history of the cemetery itself is profiled as well as offering a look at how customs have changed since it was founded, providing insights into our own corner of America since Lindenwood's founding in 1859. DVD at Allen County Public Library.
  14. Ann Colone Remembers Special | 54m 31s Ann Colone was a pioneering female broadcaster in Fort Wayne, Indiana whose career in local media spanned three decades as host of "The Ann Colone Show" and other projects. Aired: 10/23/03 Rating: NR. DVD As a host and interviewer, Ann Colone's personality, wit and adventuresome spirit helped make her a viewer favorite during the 50s, 60s and 70s. As performers, political figures and celebrities of every stripe made their way across America, they inevitably stopped in Fort Wayne, or nearby. And, if they could be, they were interviewed by Ann Colone.... Using interviews with Ann, her colleagues and highlights, gleaned from Ann's personal photographic, film and video archives, you'll be transported back to those anticipated afternoons and the memories they created--memories of celebriteis, events and the wonders of the world brought into thousands of homes each weekday, by Ann Colone. at Allen County Public Library.
  15. Fort Wayne memories. The '50s / a production of WFWA-TV39 ; producer, writer, Claudia Johnson ; WFWA-TV39 2005. Accompanied by photographs and film footage, Fort Wayne residents tell what life was like in their city in the 1950s. DVD at the Allen County Public Library.
  16. A Watershed Mentality Special | 27m 5s | Video has closed captioning. The Maumee River is the single largest tributary and watershed in the Great Lakes and deposits millions of cubic yards of sediment into Lake Erie yearly. Aired: 02/04/09 Rating: NR. DVD at the Allen County Public Library.
  17. Brookside - The Bass Mansion Renovation Special | 57m 4s Brookside, also known as the Bass Mansion, was added to the National Register for Historic Places in 1982. Renovations on the former residence of industrialist John Henry Bass were completed in 2009-2010. The mansion is currently an administrative building on the University of Saint Francis. Aired: 10/01/10 Rating: NR.
  18. New Vision: The Parkview Regional Medical Center Special | 57m 47s Learn about the history of Parkview Memorial Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Aired: 03/14/12 Rating: NR.
  19. Headwaters Park: Fort Wayne's Lasting Legacy Special | 57m 9s Learn about the history and development of Fort Wayne's Headwaters Park. Aired: 12/03/12 Rating: NR.
  20. Honor Flight Northeast Indiana: Honoring a Generation Special | 59m 18s This hour long documentary tells the story of how Honor Flight Northeast Indiana grew from humble beginnings in 2008 and how, by October 2014, it had transported over 900 northeast Indiana World War II veterans -- free of charge – to visit the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. Aired: 11/06/14 Rating: NR.
  21. Purdue University Fort Wayne Home For The Holidays Concert Season 2021 Episode 1 | 1h 37m 26s | Video has closed captioning. Celebrate the joy and beauty of the season with this concert, recorded live December 6, 2021 at the Auer Performance Hall at the Rhinehart Music Center on the campus of Purdue University Fort Wayne. Featured Performances: The School of Music Choral Ensembles and the University and Community Orchestra with Kevin McMahon and William Sauerland, conductors; Jonathan Young and Natalie Young, soloists. Aired: 12/07/21 Rating: NR.

White Fruit House

White Fruit House 1890's largest wholesale and retail distributor of fruit in northern Indiana and northeastern Ohio at Calhoun and Wayne Streets. James B. White, born in 1835 Scotland, came to Fort Wayne in 1854 by packetboat on the Wabash & Erie canal. In 1892 with his son John organized the White National Bank which later merged with First National Bank. A descendant of this family was Edward White, a Gemini and Apollo-era astronaut and the first American to walk in space. From July 10, 2006 Fort Wayne Reader article. White Fruit House became the Grand Leader department store from newspaper article on Great Memories & History of Fort Wayne, Indiana.

White Mansion

Also known as the Snyderman House, Cement House, Concrete House, or the Rock. See the Knee House.

Back to top

White Swan Grocery Store

On White Swan Plaza on Lima Road and New Haven. Discussed February 27, 2017 and March 26, 2017 and November 8, 2017 on You are positively from Fort Wayne, if you remember... Archived group only visible to existing members on Facebook.

Wildcat Baseball

Wildcat League History MR DALE MCMILLEN [MR. MAC] (WILDCAT BASEBALL LEAGUE FOUNDER) at Wildcat Baseball: www.wildcatbaseball.us Their motto is "Everybody makes the team," almost 200,000 players have participated in the Fort Wayne area since the organization was started in 1961. Celebrating 50 years in 2010. Formed by Dale "Mr. Mac" McMillen. Everybody Makes the Team: The Story of Wildcat Baseball at the The Genealogy Center. Cover of Parade magazine May 27, 1962: “A baseball league for boys where everyone plays” from 'Parade' Celebrates the World Series With Our Favorite Baseball Covers of All Time Talk a walk down memory lane as we prepare for the 118th World Series. by Peter Moore posted Oct 7, 2022 on Parade.com. Page 6 of Baseball Memories Parade October 9, 2022 is Parade 100922 published October 7, 2022 entire issue on ISSUU.com.

Around the 7-second mark Carl Erskine with Fort Wayne Wildcat League players in New documentary honors Indiana native and MLB great Carl Erskine Jul 25, 2022 Inside Indiana Business on YouTube
Anderson's Carl Erskine made a name for himself in Major League Baseball...but it was what he did off the field that has sealed his legacy as one of the greats. Ted Green, President, Ted Green Films has details on a new documentary coming out highlighting the life of Carl Erskine.

  1. I knew he’d been heavily involved in Wildcat Baseball, which was started locally by Dale McMillen Sr., who had noticed the disappointment on the faces of kids cut from teams and founded leagues where anyone who wanted to play could. Copied from Documentary on Carl Erskine: An important watch about more than just baseball Justin A. Cohn Sep 27, 2022 The Journal Gazette newspaper.
  2. “The Best We’ve Got: The Carl Erskine Story” Tony Betton Jr. May. 1, 2023 21AliveNews.com

Wildwood Homes

Wildwood homes : being a collection of houses and details with suggestions for the home builder by Wildwood Builders Co Publication date 1912  ebook on Internet Archive. Is a digital copy of Wildwood homes : being a collection of houses and details with suggestions for the home builder (Book) : being a collection of houses and details with suggestions for the home builder [Book] a book in the Allen County Public Library

June 22, 2023 post by Wildwood Park Community Association on Facebook:

Here's a link to the home design book published by Wildwood Builders, developers of Wildwood Park, including the work of architect Joel Roberts Ninde and her design partner Grace Crosby. The text has the flowery language of Lee J. Ninde. Enjoy!

Will Jewelers

May 3, 2023 post by Glo Magazine on Facebook:

In 1959, Donald Will broke free of the grind of working for others and opened his own small storefront with his wife - the very first Will Jewelers!

Read the story of this local business and jeweler on page 36 of glo magazine. Read glo by picking up a copy at a newsstand location or read online: https://www.glo-mag.com/

Williams Woodland Park

Williams Woodland Park Historic District is an example of a multiple property district from item #5 in from 10 Things to Know About Historic Preservation in Fort Wayne at City of Fort Wayne. The Williams Woodland Park Local Historic District was originally established in 1985. A slightly modified area was listed on the National Register in 1991. The district is considered significant as an early example of a planned residential development in Fort Wayne, as an intact collection of outstanding late-19th/early-20th century domestic architecture, and for its association with many prominent Fort Wayne cititzens--including Jesse Williams, the original owner of much of the land that eventually developed into the neighborhood. Copied from their website: www.williamswoodlandpark.com.

See the 29-page list of History of Our Homes pdf from their History page. They have Facebook pages for both Williams Woodland Park Neighborhood #WWPNrocks Turn of the century 'hood in downtown Ft. Wayne. Historically hip, 46807 cool. Check us out! and Williams-Woodland Park Historic District The Williams–Woodland Park Local Historic District was established in 1985 and is a national historic district located at Fort Wayne, Indiana. The district encompasses 287 contributing buildings in a predominantly residential section of Fort Wayne located approximately one mile south of downtown. The area was developed from about 1875 to 1940, and includes notable examples of Colonial Revival, Prairie School, and Queen Anne style residential architecture. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. They have an annual home tour in December.

December 18, 2023 post by the Genealogy Center on Facebook:

New collection alert ❗ The Williams-Woodland Park Neighborhood Collection contains images and documents relating to the history of Fort Wayne's first "planned" neighborhood and its early residents - the Williams-Woodland Park Historic District.

Browse the collection here: The Willams-Woodland Park Neighborhood Collection This collection contains images and documents relating to the history of Fort Wayne’s first “planned” neighborhood and its early residents— the Williams-Woodland Park Historic District.

May 8, 2022 post byHistoric 07 District - Fort Wayne on Facebook:

Some women's history might be preferred in honor of Mother's Day. The picture below is from the late 1800s, highlighting what was then known as Williams Grove. Today, we know this area as the Williams Woodland Park Neighborhood. Before housing was built, it served as a park. What a beautiful sight!

On June 4th, the neighborhood is having PorchFest 2022. Think “music festival with multiple stages,” but in our case, the stages will be porches! This will give you an excellent opportunity to see what the neighborhood looks like today. In the 1870s, though, this park was very active, including hosting some historical events.

In 1874, Williams Grove hosted one of the first large-scale events forming the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU). The WCTU was founded in late 1873, but by the summer of 1874, it had spread throughout the midwest. Women in the WCTU used temperance to enter into politics and further other progressive issues such as prison reform and labor laws.

The event at Williams Grove was attended by many and served as an important event for the newly formed group. Emma Malloy, from Elkhart, spoke to the audience stating, "mothers who have shed many bitter tears in secret, wives, whose hearts are breaking with misery, sisters carrying a weight of terrible agony, daughters with spirits depressed with grief, what shall we do?" You can likely read through the lines here to understand that there was a physical and emotional abuse to the concerns of alcohol as well.

Eventually, the WCTU grew to such prominence that progressive issues such as temperance turned into the passing of the Eighteenth Amendment (Prohibition) and the Nineteenth Amendment (All Sexes May Vote). While one survived and the other did not, Williams Grove served as a historical location for these important movements.

Happy Mother's Day!

Williams Grove photo by B. J. Griswold in the Allen County Public Library Digital Collections at the Allen County Public Libraryshared May 9, 2022 from post from

November 13, 2023 post by Williams Woodland Park Neighborhood on Facebook:

Williams Woodland began as an certified public park, a lush forest oasis just outside the hubbub of the City. This gazebo structure is believed to have existed on what is now Woodland Ave between Hoagland and Webster. Soon houses began to be constructed around the exterior of the park and on a single day in October 1903 a lottery auction was organized by Louis Curdes, a local developer and WWPN resident. Most of the lots in the park were transferred to individuals to begin building the houses of what is now known as Williams Woodland Park Neighborhood.

#holidayhometour2023 #williamswoodlandpark #wwpnrocks #dtfw #historic

#fortwayne #46807

#ohseven #christmas

 

Willie's Family Restaurant

Started around 1966 by Willie Adams in a 1919 building on St. Joe Center Road near the corner of Maplecrest Road, from a comment by son Randy Adams June 17, 2014 on Willie's Family Restaurant on Facebook. They announced July 20, 2021 they were moving to 3434 North Anthony Bloulevard. Some history of the business is in the article Willie's in northeast Fort Wayne moving to former Chrome Plate Diner home by Emeline Hawkins for iiIN Fort Wayne Community Newspapers Sep 27, 2021. Their is a family connection with both locations from this article: Welcome to the family You're sure to feel like family at the Chrome Plated Diner by Bonnie Blackburn of Fort Wayne Magazine published Monday, December 14th, 2015

Wing & Mahurin

Architectural firm of Fort Wayne, Indiana. John F. Wing (1852-1947) and Marshall S. Mahurin (1857-1939) were partners until 1907. With Guy M. Mahurin (1877-1941) they also worked as Mahurin & Mahurin. Some projects are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. See their book Wing & Mahurin, architects, Fort Wayne, Ind (1896) on Archive.org shown below. Wikipedia lists many of their Indiana projects under Wing & Mahurin.

Wing & Mahurin, architects, Fort Wayne, Ind by Wing & Mahurin, Publication date 1896, on Archive.org

WKJG NBC Channel 33 Television Station

Street View photo from Google Maps

3401 Butler Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46808.

WKJG-TV Channel 33- The First Station November 18, 2023 The Video Factory Fort Wayne on YouTube.

First local television station broadcast on November 21, 1953, sister station to WKJG-AM and WKJG-FM the am and fm radio stations started by William Kunkel, the KJG stood for Kunkel Journal Gazette, who owned the local The Journal Gazette newspaper from page 131 of the book Hard News, Heartfelt Opinions: A History of the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette by Scott M. Bushnell.

  1. WKJG-TV, Fort Wayne by Doug LeDuc of The News-Sentinel newspaperat the Indiana Broadcast Pioneers.
  2. On October 17, 2022, following Gray's acquisition of the station, WPTA-DT2 began simulcasting the main subchannel's morning newscasts in place of producing its own. In November 2022, WPTA announced that, as part of a reconsolidation of its entire news product under the revived 21Alive News brand, the evening Fort Wayne's NBC newscasts would end on December 16, 2022, after which most of its anchors and weather staff were reassigned. On January 9, 2023, WPTA fully completed its reorganization of newscasts, with WPTA-DT2 simulcasting morning, 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts on weekdays. Copied WPTA November 21, 2023 on Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. WPTA-TV is excited to announce that the ABC21 and Fort Wayne’s NBC news teams will combine to become 21Alive News in early January of 2023. Copied from 21Alive announces news expansion November 22, 2022 on 21AliveNews.com.
  3. WISE-TV on Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
  4. Big Snow Storm 1963 2-minute video without sound in the WKJG-TV COLLECTION at the Indiana Historical Society. Posted January 31, 2023 on True Fort Wayne Indiana History on Facebook.
  5. NBC33 had a week long series NBC33 Celebrates 60th Anniversary All Week Long by Eric Dutkiewicz in 2013
  6. 60 Years On Air: NBC33 Takes A Look Back At 1953 broadcast November 18, 2013
  7. 60 Years On Air: NBC33 Looks At Costs In 1953 by Emma Koch broadcast November 19, 2013
  8. NBC33 Megan and Eric sit down with Terri Richardson from the Journal Gazette to discuss newspapers from November 1953 in 60 Years On Air: NBC Looks At Headlines From 1953 by Emma Koch NBC33 broadcast November 20, 2013
  9. 60 Years On Air: NBC33 What Was On TV In 1953 by Emma Koch broadcast November 21, 2013
  10. Final 60 Years On Air: NBC33 Goes Retro (FULL SHOW) November 22, 2013 by Emma Koch.
  11. Photos and discussion April 24, 2017 on You are positively from Fort Wayne, if you remember... Archived group only visible to existing members on Facebook.
  12. Broadcast TV pioneer Jack Gray was playing it by ear when he became the city's first anchor by Gregg Bender published March 13, 2018 in The Journal Gazette newspaper with black and white photo of Dick Florea, Jack Gray and Hilliard Gates.
  13. 21Alive announces news expansion WPTA-TV, a Gray Television station, announces the ABC21 and Fort Wayne's NBC news teams will combine to become 21Alive News in early January of 2023. By WPTA Staff Published: Nov. 22, 2022 at 8:57 AM EST FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) - WPTA-TV is excited to announce that the ABC21 and Fort Wayne’s NBC news teams will combine to become 21Alive News in early January of 2023. Posted at WKJG NBC. From a December 12, 2022 post on Facebook.
  14. January 29, 2023 discussion of when the station came on the air on True Fort Wayne Indiana History on Facebook.
  15. On Nov. 21, 1953, WKJG-TV, Channel 33, began broadcasting television in Fort Wayne. Broadcast television was new technology in 1953, and WKJG was the first TV station to bring this new technology into Fort Wayne-area homes. Copied from Broadcast news: Fort Wayne celebrates 70 years of local TV November 21, 2023 The Journal Gazette newspaper

WLYV AM Radio

Started in 1948. Prior to becoming WLYV, the station was assigned the call letters WANE and was the radio companion of channel 15 television. In the mid-1960s, the radio station was purchased by Sheppard Broadcasting of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Following the purchase by Sheppard, the station changed call letters (to become closely related to Sheppard's WLAV in Grand Rapids) and on January 1, 1966 changed formats to become Fort Wayne's first Top 40 station. See WLYV at Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia for more information.

Back to top

Wolf Mattress

Founder Paul Wolf house on Canal Street. The original factory was nearby. Street View photo from Google Maps.
Discussed August 6, 2023 on True Fort Wayne Indiana History on Facebook.

3434 Adams Center Road, https://wolfmattress.com/, Street View photo from Google Maps.

Founded in 1873 by Paul Wolf, in 2014 makes mattresses and futons; manufactures fiberfill products; and it distributes wood and metal futon frames. Sweet Dreams since 1873. For more information read Generations of mattresses Wolf Corp. leader attributes success to longevity - and Fort Wayne published December 1, 2014 in The Journal Gazette newspaper now on the Internet Archive Wayback Machine. Associated Churches plans grand opening for The Wolf Mission House March 25, 2021 Greater Fort Wayne Inc. Metro Chamber Alliance.

Wolf & Dessauer

Sam Wolf and Myron Dessauer opened their department store in 1896 on Calhoun Street. Wolf & Dessauer became famous for their 1937 Santa Reindeer and Christmas Wreath displays restored to seasonal display in downtown Fort Wayne. Wolf & Dessauer illuminated their display every Christmastime from 1940 to 1958, with the exception of three years. In 1942, 1943 and 1944, World War II brought blackouts to the city from Fort Wayne's favorite Santa turns 63 this year by Carol Tannehill published November 24, 2003 in The News-Sentinel newspapernow on the Internet Archive Wayback Machine. James Bill Green, 1950-2022 a 1969 graduate of Snider High School was remembered as the Man who renewed Fort Wayne's iconic Santa Claus display tradition dies at 71 by Ashley Sloboda published July 6, 2022 in The Journal Gazette newspaper. See Night of Lights on the Visit Fort Wayne blog.

December 13, 2020 post by Wolf and Dessauer Magic Window on Facebook.

This is a popular local cartoon by Steve Smeltzer, whose cartoons are featured, internationally in publications and on webs from his Smeltzer Cartoons Facebook page and Steve Smeltzer at ACPL Fort Wayne Area Artists. You can order this W&Ds Christmas Window image from his Smeltzer Cartoon shop posted December 8, 2018 on his Facebook page.

There is so much stuff online it is on separate Wolf & Dessauer page.

Woodburn

Episode 181: Woodburn and New Haven by Granite Ridge Builders Sep 26, 2022 on YouTube.
Two great small towns, and Granite Ridge Builders has new communities near both! The Studs crew are taking a look at some of the reasons these areas are booming!

  1. The Woodburn Historical Society Collection consists of photographs depicting life in the town of Woodburn and surrounding Maumee Township from the late nineteenth through twentieth centuries. The collection includes a number of postcard views of Woodburn, a portion of which was also known as Shirley City, as well as aerial views and a number of snapshots. Many of the snapshots were taken in the post war era of 1947. The collection also contains photographs of several of the town's founders and civic leaders, as well as pictures of schools and rare images of two of the early log cabins in the township. in the Allen County Public Library Digital Collections at the Allen County Public Library.
  2. Pictures discussed January 2, 2023 on True Fort Wayne Indiana History on Facebook.
  3. Photographs from the book Woodburn centennial July 7, 8, 9, 10 Woodburn, Indiana 1865 to 1965 were discussed October 4, 2022 on Great Memories and History of Fort Wayne Private Facebook Group.
  4. January 23, 2023 the on Facebook posted: It's #waybackwednesday! This picture, from our Woodburn Historical Society Collection, shows the Centlivre Beer Trailer, taken on Union Street in Woodburn in front of the City Hall, with the Post Office on the extreme left.
  5. The small building just above the standing men was a private residence. Next to it is the Keller Blacksmithing and Acetylene Welding Shop, operated by Ed Keller. Beyond it is the Portman Machine and Repair Shop. The high roof at the extreme right is the Woodburn Equity Exchange elevator building.
  6. January 23, 2023 post by the Genealogy Center on Facebook:
    It's #waybackwednesday! This picture, from our Woodburn Historical Society Collection, shows the Centlivre Beer Trailer, taken on Union Street in Woodburn in front of the City Hall, with the Post Office on the extreme left.
    The small building just above the standing men was a private residence. Next to it is the Keller Blacksmithing and Acetylene Welding Shop, operated by Ed Keller. Beyond it is the Portman Machine and Repair Shop. The high roof at the extreme right is the Woodburn Equity Exchange elevator building.
    Check out our digital collection from the Woodburn Historical Society here: http://contentdm.acpl.lib.in.us/digital/collection/coll5

Worthman Homes

June 26, 2023 post by Hofer and Davis, Inc. Land Surveyors on Facebook:

It's "Wall of Fame Wednesday"! Here is more from the promotional brochure published by JOHN R. WORTHMAN INC. Builder - Realtor for INDIAN VILLAGE. The brochure says Sections B and C were prepared, and Section D was proposed. A.K. Hofer platted Section B in 1945, Section C in 1947 and Section D in 1950. So this brochure is somewhere between 1947 and 1950.

WOWO 1190 AM Radio

Went on the air March 31, 1925 with 500 watts at 1320 kilocycles. The call letters were chosen arbitrarily. "W" for broadcast station east of the Mississippi and "O" for ease of pronunciation. From March 28, 2016 post by Allen County Public Libraryon Facebook. They broadcast from studios on the second floor of the Main Auto Supply Co. at 215 W. Main Street. "Fort Wayne's legendary 50,000 watt radio station. ... roster of air personalities, like Bob Sievers, Jack Underwood, Dugan Fry, Jay Gould, Chris Roberts, Ron Gregory, Bob Chase, Don Chevillet, John Cigna and many others created a lifelong bond with the citizens of WOWOland. February 1, 1954, the station would raise the new towers at their site on U.S. 24 near Roanoke to become 50,000 watts from History of WOWO on wowo.com. It was an upgrade that would make the station as strong as the most powerful station in the United States. In its earliest years, WOWO Radio also launched the careers of many prominent broadcasters, including comedian Herb Shriner, Fort Wayne TV pioneer Hilliard Gates, and Tom Carnegie, known to millions worldwide as the voice of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. from the timeline on The History of WOWO Radio web site.

ELVIS PRESLEY Interview! LOST FOR 60 YEARS! JUST DISCOVERED!
March 30, 1957, Bob Chase interviews Elvis Presley, by Alpha 11 published November 30, 2017 YouTube

  1. See WOWO brightest when radio was king by Kevin Leininger published July 10, 1982 inCityscapes from the Archives of The News-Sentinel newspaper.
  2. October 22, 1994 Time Capsule from the original Great Memories and History of Fort Wayne, Indiana page on Facebook.
  3. WOWO heard its listeners by Bob Caylor in 1930-1939: DECADE OF BANKRUPTCY & BUREAUCRACY ofCityscapes from the Archives of The News-Sentinel newspaper.
  4. WOWO Legends Special | 1h 2m 51s Local radio personalities gather at the WFWA-TV39 PBS Fort Wayne studios to reminisce about WOWO (AM radio). Featuring Bob Sievers, Bob Chase, Don Chevillet, Ron Gregory, and Chris Roberts. Aired: 03/02/98 Rating: NR VHS at Allen County Public Library.
  5. A conversation with Bob Sieversfrom WFWA-TV39 PBS Fort Wayne, 1999 "Join Bob as he reminisces with Jane Avery Doswell about his long career in broadcasting from the 'world famous WOWO Fire Escape.' Bob gives an insider's perspective on how the business of radio and advertising has changed over the years, as well as the Fort Wayne area and America itself."--Container. VHS at Allen County Public Library.
  6. Promotional 9 minute WOWO YouTube video uploaded April 27, 2011 by compcore.
  7. "In a little red barn..." WOWO celebrates 90 years of broadcasting by Krista Miller published December 3, 2015 on 21AliveNews.comand Facebook discussion.
  8. WOWO's rich 90-year history Station has been a constant in ever-changing industry by Steve Warden published January 19, 2016 in . The News-Sentinel newspaper
  9. 2015 WOWO 90th Anniversary Special on WOWO.com.
  10. Their daily morning song Little Red Barn discussed March 18, 2017 and September 13, 2017 on You are positively from Fort Wayne, if you remember... Archived group only visible to existing members on Facebookincluded a video WOWO Little Red Barn_10-16-1989 uploaded March 29, 2010 by HistoryOfWOWO.
  11. Also see In A Little Red Barn - Ted Hanson and his Normandie Orchestra uploaded May 6, 2011 by Kevin Muelleron YouTube.
  12. WOWO Hoosier Hop Kadiddle Hoppers in the 1950s included players Dale McClain and Jay Dickerson discussed August 11, 2018 on You are positively from Fort Wayne, if you remember... Archived group only visible to existing members on Facebook.
  13. Indiana Hoedown Found Recordings is a list of recordings since the 1940s, about half mention Fort Wayne, on drdosido.net.
  14. June 25, 2020 post by theTV.website/ on Facebook:

    You've probably heard Bugs Bunny & Elmer Fudd sing this song in Looney Tunes "Robot Rabbit." Here it is sung by Rosemary Clooney, Aunt of actor George Clooney, and comedienne Judy Canova. Judy started her career singing with Rudy Vallie. Known as "The Queen of the Hillbillies" her daughter Diana Canova played Corinne Tate on the series "Soap" opposite Katherine Helmond. Judy and Rose can belt out a tune with no special equipment needed! "In a Little Red Barn" was also the theme song for the morning radio show on WOWO in Fort Wayne, Indiana, hosted by Bob Sievers for the better part of 50 years.

  15. March 31, 2023 post by The History Center on Facebook:

    Entertainment has long been sought after in Fort Wayne. Starting in the 1920s one of the most popular forms of entertainment was listening to the radio. One of Fort Wayne’s first radio stations was WOWO, established by Chester Keen of Main Auto Supply. This station began broadcasting exactly 98 years ago today on March 31, 1925. It initially broadcast at 500 watts of power on the upper floor of Keen’s business. The call-sign “WOWO” was created to satisfy the FCC requirement to use ‘W’ as the first letter, with a length of three to four letters. In 1928, WOWO was sold to Fred Zieg, who gained permission to broadcast at 10,000 watts and create WOWO’s sister station WGL. Zieg sold the stations to Westinghouse Broadcasting Company in 1936, and WGL remained WOWO’s sister station until 1945 when it was sold to Farnsworth Television and Radio Corporation. In 1941, WOWO became a clear-channel AM station, broadcasting at all hours at 50,000 watts, except for Sunday evenings. The same year WOWO moved to its familiar 1190khz. The station could be heard by millions throughout “WOWO-land,” which encompassed most of the U. S. east of the Mississippi, and parts of Canada. Its programming, its performers, and its broadcasters became famous. Programs such as Little Red Barn, the Hoosier Hop, Komet Hockey, and the Bob Sievers Show were highly rated nationally. It was also during this time that the station’s weather reporting came from the “World Famous Fire Escape.” WOWO remained a Class-A clear-channel station until 1995 when it was purchased and its license was transferred to WLIB in New York City. Today the people of Fort Wayne can still tune into WOWO. #sociallyhistory

WPTA TV now 21AliveNews.com

WPTA 6pm Newscast, April 6, 1993 posted May 20, 2015 by NewsActive3 on YouTube.
Weeknight newscast from the ABC affiliate in Fort Wayne, IN. Commercials are included. Posted for educational and historical purposes only. All material is under the copyright of their original holders. No copyright infringement is intended.

Extra Dose With Marti Wright and Eric Olson posted November 11, 2021, by landis entertainment network on YouTube

"On Saturday, September 28, 1957 at three o'clock in the afternoon Fort Wayne television viewers witnessed city history in the making when WPTA-TV, under the leadership of General Manager Ron Ross began regular broadcasting on channel 21 as the latest ABC affiliate. Staffed by 12 full-time and three part-time employees WPTA brought the complete 32 hours of ABC programming per week to the Fort Wayne viewing area. This was augmented by 28 hours of film and seven and one-half hours of local live programming." Eric Olson, 21Country Featured Reporterposts short videos often with old photos on the local history of people and places on their 21County page. They also feature LifesBetterHere and other pages on their website: wpta21.com/. Many of the 21 County videos were saved when they were called Indiana NewsCenter. The Internet Archive Wayback Machine has more than 10,000 Indiana NewsCenter pages saved before they changed their name and website to 21AliveNews.com. Some in 2018 were saved as WPTA21. . Was known as INC Indiana News Center which still has over 170 videos as INCnowTV since 2010 on YouTube.

Back to top

Wunderkammer Company

3402 Fairfield Ave, wunderkammercompany.com, Facebook. A contemporary art center, is located in the former Casa restaurant. Now serving art: Former Casa restaurant site transformed into contemporary art center by Cindy Larson published December 13, 2012 in The News-Sentinel newspaper.

Wyneken House


2010/08/18: Wyneken House move published September 5, 2010 on AroundFortWayne on YouTube
Home of Indiana pioneer religious leader, Friedrich Conrad Dietrich Wyneken (1810-1876), was partially moved into its final position off Winchester Road just south of the Allen/Adams County line. The video is sped up and a compilation of a few angles show the progress of the move.

1730 N.W. Winchester Road near Decatur, Adams County, originally on Adams County Road 1000N in the northwest part the county. Website: Friends of Wyneken Preserving German-American Heritage, Facebook. The wood-frame home built about 1850, served as the residence of the Rev. Friedrich Conrad Dietrich Wyneken and his wife, Sophie, from 1859 to between 1860-1862. The German-born clergyman came to this area in 1838 from Germany to minister to German Lutherans on the American frontier. He is credited with helping found or nurture a number of Lutheran churches in Indiana, Ohio and Michigan, as well as helping to start Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne. Friends of Wyneken, a subcommittee of the Indiana German Heritage Society, formed in 2004 to save the house from demolition and transform it into an interpretive center. Copied from Public invited for first time to tour the historic Wyneken house The house was saved from demolition in 2005 by Kevin Kilbane published June 19, 2014 in The News-Sentinel newspaper. Wyneken House move – press release, photos and video by: Stephen Parker posted on September 7, 2010 on Around Fort Wayne blog. Can the Wyneken House be Saved? published in the Indiana German Heritage Society newsletter Volume 9 Number 1 Winter 1993.

Today's "What's It Wednesday" features two looms. Before coming to northeast Indiana, many of the German immigrants to...

Posted by Friends of Wyneken on Wednesday, February 21, 2024

February 21, 2024 post by Friends of Wyneken on Facebook:

Today's "What's It Wednesday" features two looms. Before coming to northeast Indiana, many of the German immigrants to the area were both small-time farmers and linen weavers. The larger and older loom is called a "barn loom." There are differing stories about the name. The frame of the loom is constructed with large pieces of lumber that are pinned together like the frame of a barn, which is one explanation for the name. The other explanation is that the looms were large and generated a lot of vibration when in use, so they were used in an out-building or barn rather than a house.

Back to top

Page updated: