History Page

The Miami nation first established a settlement at the Maumee, St. Joseph, and St. Mary’s Rivers in the mid-17th century called Kekionga. The land where the three rivers meet became the City of Fort Wayne on February 22, 1840.  
Fort Wayne, 1795 & 2009

Our City is named after General “Mad” Anthony Wayne who established the first American Fort and Fort Wayne acquired its nickname “Summit City” in the 1830’s. General “Mad” Anthony Wayne statue stands today downtown Fort Wayne at Freimann Square.

Our City was the home to Johnny Appleseed, a famous missionary in the early 1800’s that introduced apple trees in Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois.  We celebrate him with an Annual Johnny Appleseed Festival that commemorates him and the times of the 1800’s.

Our City honors Chief Little Turtle with a Statue of Little Turtle at Headwaters Park in Fort Wayne, which was sculptured by a local sculptor Hector Garcia. Chief Little Turtle was a chief of the Miami tribe here in Indiana in the late 18th century and one of the most triumphant Native American military leaders of the era.

Our city is home to the Fort Wayne’s Annual Barr Street Farmer’s Market on Saturday’s, July 11 through September 12. We have been purchasing fresh produce from the market since 1893, which is located on the corner of Barr and Wayne Streets downtown Fort Wayne.

Our City is home to the Famous Coney Island hot dog restaurant, a Historical Fort Wayne landmark.  We have been enjoying their hospitality & delicious topped hot dogs since 1914.

Our city is home to the Allen County Public Library, one of the largest Genealogy Research Libraries in America.

Our City has developed Rivergreenway Trail System a walking trail   that covers about 23 miles throughout Allen County. The Rivergreenway Trail follows the banks of the three rivers St. Mary’s, St. Joseph, and the Maumee, which we use for walking, hiking, and bicycling.

Our City is home to the famous DeBrand’s Fine Chocolates, which is known for its magnificent and stunning chocolates.

Our city is home to many inventors that created and manufactured products in Fort Wayne such as the washing machine, calculator, television, gasoline pump, breathalyzer, refrigerator, and baking soda.

Our City was home to Marion Donovan born in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1917 invented the prototype of the Disposable Diaper in 1946, which helped transform the infant care industry.

Our City is the base to the Fort Wayne Air National Guard Station and the122nd Fighter Wing “Blacksnakes” at the Fort Wayne International Airport, which was originally named Baer Field Airport.  The Baer Field Airport opened in 1941 and was originally built during World War II as a military base.