Fort Wayne’s Heritage Trail Anniversary

by Tom Castaldi 

 
In 1991, while planning the celebration for Fort Wayne’s first 200 years, a survey was conducted among the city’s citizens to determine the desired permanent legacies for the commemoration. Media surveys supervised by the Bicentennial Celebration Council revealed that a program for identifying and permanently marking notable historical sites in central Fort Wayne was one of the more popular legacies the city might undertake. Michael Hawfield, Allen County Fort Wayne Historical Society director at the time, prepared a 38-page Prospectus in 1992 unfolding the vision, plan and associated costs. Thus a trail idea was hatched and became one of the foremost “lasting legacies” of the Bicentennial Celebration of 1994. Original financial support for the Trail came from the Journal-Gazette Foundation and Essex Group, Inc. in conjunction with ARCH, the historic preservation organization that assumed responsibility as trustee. After twenty years, this free and open-to-the public walking trail continues to celebrate and trace Fort Wayne’s history.

A committee to develop the details of a trail was formed and began its work in 1992. Serving on the panel were Craig Keoun, who chaired the group, Tom Cain, Tom Castaldi, Karen Gardner, Michael Hawfield, George Mather, Irene Walters, and Mike Westfall. Inspired by such national examples as the Boston Freedom Trail, the Committee decided not only to mark notable historical sites, but to develop a self-guided program that became known as “The Heritage Trial.” The result of its efforts was the creation of thirty-three new historical markers for the significant sites in the central city and incorporation of twenty previously marked historical sites. Also produced was a map brochure indicating the location of trail routes and markers.

Criteria for choosing the sites focused on historical significance rather than on commercial or architectural interests. Decisions were made by the Trail Committee following the recommendations of a variety of local authorities. Rather than attempt to provide a comprehensive history of Fort Wayne, the Trail was intended to stir interest, to provide basic information, as well as to create excitement about the community’s past. The Trail recalls dramatic confrontations, battles and sporting events and along the path are beautiful homes, thriving industries, centers of finance and government, places dedicated to the arts, towering churches and great lines of transportation.

You can begin your walk in Freimann Square at the Anthony Wayne statue.

It was apparent to the Committee that walking a single trail would be an exhaustive venture if it were to do justice to the story of our region’s rich heritage. To make the trail a reasonable user experience, it was separated into four shorter ones that interconnected: The Central Downtown, West Central, South Central and the Kekionga or Lakeside Neighborhood. Although the Trail is designed to join in any place along the way, the Central Downtown Trail that begins at Freimann Square Park is a convenient starting point. The markers that describe the various stops are oriented for pedestrian viewing, so walking the Trail may be a better plan than trying to sightsee from a car window. Such a motorized tour is possible especially if a docent is on hand, but there is much more to see, feel and imagine by choosing a sidewalk experience.

A guidebook titled On the Heritage Trail was envisioned in the early months of the Trail Committee’s work to give additional information on each of the sign topics, providing the original sign text for old historical markers and offering information about certain other sites and topics that are important in our region’s history. Short essays about important individuals and subjects were included in the Guidebook following the route of the Trail. Its words, written by Michael Hawfield and George Mather, are in a style to help the reader conjure up an image to accompany the discussions. Proofread by Betty Stein, indexed by Amy Beatty and edited by Tom Castaldi, the book offers suggested readings to learn more about each topic.

During 2005, several new sites were added and assigned to the appropriate original four trails. This expanded the Trail and a newly printed map was prepared to address each one. Among the additions are those in Headwaters Park as well as new markers added to mark the Wabash Erie Canal remnants in Rockhill Park which also makes a connection to the Wabash Erie Canal Towpath Trail. North, four markers are added to describe the St. Joseph River Feeder Canal that can be found on the west border of IPFW’s soccer campus. Also added to the map are three color coded routes marking the line of the River Greenway, the course of the Lincoln Highway and the path of the Wabash & Erie Canal.

Today, nineteen of the Heritage Trail stops on the Central Downtown section have a QR code icon attached to the marker. Anyone with a digital device such as a smart phone with appropriate QRReader app downloaded can click and listen to a recorded version of the marker text provided by WBOI-fm 89.1 public radio.

ARCH, the financial trustee for the Trail provides organized tours of the Heritage Trail and invites classrooms and civic groups to explore the legacy of Fort Wayne’s Bicentennial gift. For a free map, group tour, or to purchase the Guidebook, contact ARCH at 260/426-5117 located at 437 East Berry Street. Remember Fort Wayne’s 200th anniversary celebration’s Heritage Trail is your legacy to a fascinating Heritage. (Editor's note: the maps and guidebook are also available at the History Center.)

Originally published in

Fort Wayne Monthly “Along the Heritage Trail” – Oct 2009 No 59

This article was updated by Tom in October 2014.

Along the Heritage Trail--Links for more study

by Nancy McCammon-Hansen

If you’re looking for something to do with the kids this summer, why not take a walk on the Heritage Trail?

The Heritage Trail is a collection of four walking tours that were developed during Fort Wayne’s Bicentennial in 1994. You can pick up a map here at the History Center or from ARCH or Visit Fort Wayne. This is a great opportunity to learn more about central Fort Wayne and our city’s early history. Plus…if you take along a camera, you can develop a photo essay of some wonderful architectural elements for your Facebook page.

Tom Castaldi, Allen County historian and History Center board member, helped to develop the Heritage Trail Map when he was employed by the Essex Corporation, which underwrote the cost of the maps and the accompanying guidebook in cooperation with ARCH. Tom’s work is chronicled by “Fort Wayne Monthly” in his column “Along the Heritage Trail” and we are fortunate to have permission from the magazine to republish his articles.

As a guide to help you get a little more out of your walks, we’re providing here a list of blog posts from “History Center Notes and Queries” to accompany the map. Enjoy reading about Fort Wayne History as you Walk the Heritage Trail.

Central Downtown Trail begins at Freimann Square, corner of Berry and Clinton

1.      Anthony Wayne Statue--http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-anthony-wayne-statue.html

2.      Journal Gazette Building--http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-journal-gazette-building.html

3.      Transfer Corner--http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-transfer-corner.html

4.      Allen County Courthouse--http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2014/02/world-class-county-courthouse.html

5.      Lincoln Tower--http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-lincoln-tower.html

6.      Elektron Building--http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-elektron-building.html

7.      The City Building aka The History Center--http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2012/05/normal-0-false-false-false-en-us-x-none.html
 (if you come on Saturday mornings during the Barr Street Market, admission is FREE from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.)

8.      “Mother” George--http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2010/05/eliza-george-fort-waynes-civil-war.html

9.      First Church Building/McCulloch-Weatherhogg House—we do not have a blog post on this structure, but here’s a link to ARCH’s information: http://www.archfw.org/McCulloch-WeatherhoggHouseFirstPresbyterianChurch.htm

10.   Anthony Wayne’s Fort--http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2010_10_01_archive.html
11.   Last Two American Forts

12.   Pirogue Landing--http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2010_10_01_archive.html

13.   Headwaters Park

14.   The Lincoln Highway--http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2013/06/normal-0-false-false-false-en-us-x-none.html

15.   The Landing--http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2013/04/normal-0-false-false-false-en-us-x-none.html

16.   Canal House--http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2014/04/canal-house.html

17.   Wabash & Erie Canal--http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-master-engineer-of-wabash-and-erie.htmlAND http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-master-engineer-of-wabash-and-erie.html

18.   Nickel Plate Railroad--http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2014/01/earliest-rails-in-fort-wayne.html

19.   The Beginnings of Allen County

West Central Trail (begins at the Allen County Public Library—which has the second largest genealogy library in the nation)

20.   Allen County Public Library—get a “real life” view of the Anthony Wayne plaques on the second floor. These plaques are pictured in http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-anthony-wayne-statue.html

21.   First Presbyterian Church—another resource for history lovers is Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana. Here’s a post about First Presbyterian: http://www.acgsi.org/genweb/churches/waynech.asp#presbyterian

22.   Trinity English Lutheran Church—see the above link

23.   Robert C. Bell and Ninde Homes--http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2013/09/joel-ninde-and-wildwood-company.html

24.   Colonel Sion Bass House
25.   Trinity Episcopal Church--http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2013/06/liturgical-fashion.html

26.   Samuel Brenton House

27.   Frederick and Mary Rockhill-Tyler House

28.   Ronald T. McDonald House--http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2013/11/ranald-t-mcdonald.html

29.   James J. Wood/George Jacobs House

30.   Thomas Swinney House--http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2014/04/swinney-home.html as well as http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2010/06/indomitable-rhesa-swinney.html and http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2013/06/a-short-historical-tour-of-central-fort.html

31.   31. Fort Wayne Methodist College--http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-fort-wayne-methodist-college.html

32.   Carole Lombard House--http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2013/06/a-short-historical-tour-of-central-fort.html and http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2013/04/jane-alice-peters-aka-carole-lombard.html

33.   Aqueduct Club Monument-- http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2013/06/a-short-historical-tour-of-central-fort.html and http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2013/10/old-aqueduct-club.html

34.   Guldlin Park-- http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2013/04/signs-of-history-times.html

35.   Hugh McCulloch House-- http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2013/06/a-short-historical-tour-of-central-fort.html

36.   John Bohn Franke

37.   Edsall House---- http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2013/06/a-short-historical-tour-of-central-fort.html

38.   First Synagogue--http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-first-jewish-community.htmland http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2013/08/normal-0-false-false-false-en-us-ja-x.html

The South Central Trail—begins at the Embassy Theatre

39.   Embassy Theatre

40.   Cathedral Square--http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-cathedral.html and http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2012_12_01_archive.html

41.   Chief J.B. Richardville Gravesite-- http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Richardville&GSiman=1&GScid=209704&GRid=64533551&

42.   St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church-- http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2013/05/jesse-hoover-and-st-pauls-lutheran.html

43.   Old Pennsylvania Railroad Shops-- http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-pennsy-shops.html

44.   African/African-American Historical Museum—Phyllis Wheatley Center-- http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2013/03/fort-waynes-early-african-american.html

45.   St. Mary’s Catholic Church

46.   Turner Chapel-- http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2014/02/turner-chapel-african-methodist.html

47.   Rankin House—see ARCH’s website at www.archfw.org--

48.   Wayne Street United Methodist Church-- http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2013/04/signs-of-history-times.html

49.   Barr Street Market-- http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2013/09/barr-street-market-trading-under-trees.html

50.   News Sentinel Building

The Kekionga Trail (begins on Edgewater by the Maumee River)

51.   Tacumwah and the Old Apple Tree-- http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2014/03/in-celebration-of-womens-history-month_6.html

52.   Battle of Kekionga-- http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-battle-of-kekionga.html

53.   Kekionga

54.   Second French (& First English) Fort Historical Marker

55.   Wells’ Pre-emption-- http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2010/09/writings-of-william-wells.html

56.   Civil War Monument-- http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2011/01/theres-great-little-book-entitled-who.html

57.   Mihshihkinahkwa (Little Turtle) Memorial & Grave-- http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2012/07/man-little-turtle.html and http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2012/07/remembering-little-turtle.html and

http://historycenterfw.blogspot.com/2012/07/some-final-thoughts-on-little-turtle.html

58.   Confluence of Rivers

59.   Water Filtration Plant

“Old Aqueduct Club”

by Tom Castaldi

Have you noticed that small triangular park at the intersections of Rockhill, Main and Thieme streets?  It’s the grassy area east of the St. Mary’s river bridge and home to an interestingly different kind monument.  Rather than the usual heroic figure of the warrior on horseback or the proud city founder, this civic statue depicts two barefoot boys who are friends, dressed in coveralls of the 1870s.  The stone underneath simply reads: “Let’s Go Swimming.” 

This statue was erected in 1927 by the members of a unique Fort Wayne civic group called “The Old Aqueduct Club.”  It was a group that celebrated the youthful activities and memories of the bygone era of canals and the covered aqueduct in Fort Wayne that carried the main channel of the Wabash & Erie Canal across the Saint Mary’s River.

The Old Aqueduct Club was formed in 1912 by several citizens who as boys played and swam in the aqueduct that had served the canal and not used for a quarter of a century.  The rules of the Club stated that members had to have lived on the west side of Fort Wayne before the 1870s - the end of the canal days – and to have gone swimming in the canal.  Each year a dinner meeting was held and by the 1930s there were as many as 500 members who claimed to have met the requirements.  By 1955 there were only 11 members left who attended the Club’s 43^rd annual dinner, and the Old Aqueduct Club soon passed out of existence.

The little park in which the statue stands today is called Orff Park in recollection of the great water-powered mill that operated in this location by the Orff family during the canal era and later.  Orff Mill had several names throughout its history. Sometimes called the “Edsall Mill,” it later was known as the “Empire” and commonly called “the old stone mill” when it stood while the machinery was operated by Wabash and Erie Canal waterpower.

The mill was built by Samuel Edsall in 1843. Milford Smith was an early partner and later the business passed on to Orff, Armstrong & Lacy, but John Orff afterward became the sole proprietor. Later his sons John Jr., C.E. and Montgomery Orff took control of the operation.  In its final years the mill was powered by steam. It stood on east bank of the Saint Mary’s river near the “Let’s Go Swimming” statue.

The aqueduct that the Club celebrated was designed by chief engineer Jesse Lynch Williams and was built by Henry Lotz - the only mayor of Fort Wayne ever to have been deposed of by City Council because he seldom appeared to act the part of the mayor in 1843. Saint Mary’s River Aqueduct No. 1 was built in 1835 and rebuilt in 1871. It carried the Wabash & Erie Canal across the Saint Mary’s until 1882.  The wooden flume was two spans, each eighty feet in length, seventeen feet wide, four and one-half feet deep and was supported on three great stone pillars.   The water of the canal was specified to be at least four feet deep and moved about five miles an hour through the aqueduct, at a weight of more than 450 tons.

A roof was built over the channel, giving it the appearance of a covered bridge.  At the west end, just past the aqueduct, a large basin was created so that the canal boats could turn around or wait for another one to pass.  It was here in the basin and in the aqueduct itself that the boys often played.

In 1881, the Nickel Plate Railroad purchased the canal right-of-way, including the aqueduct and erected the steel bridge for the trains that still stands today just north of the aqueduct’s location.  The aqueduct soon collapsed into the river and was removed in 1883.

You can still see portions of the old structure from the Rivergreenway which is accessible from the west end of the Main Street Bridge.  The curved stonewall on the west side of the river is all that is normally visible of the aqueduct.  At extreme low water the foundation of the original central pier can sometimes be glimpsed. Nothing is visible on the east bank.

You can discover sights like this and more for yourself, Along the Heritage Trail.

Allen County Historian Tom Castaldi is author of the Wabash & Erie Canal Notebook series; hosts “On the Heritage Trail,” which is broadcast at 6:35 a.m., 8:35 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Mondays on WBOI, 89.1 FM; and “Historia Nostra” heard on WLYV-1450 AM and WRRO 89.9 FM. Enjoy his previously published columns on the History Center’s blog, “Our Stories,” at history centerfw.blogspot.com.