Fort Wayne, IN is also known as a Crossroads due to it being located at the meeting of the St. Marys, St. Joseph, and the Maumee Rivers. The city of Fort Wayne is actually over 200 years old. Fort Wayne was named after the military leader General “Mad” Anthony Wayne who established the first American settling that the intersection of these Rivers.
Allen County was established in 1824 and following that, in the 1830’s, the Wabash and Erie Canal were brought about in Fort Wayne. The name “Summit City” was given to Fort Wayne because it was said to be the highest point above sea level.
Fort Wayne later became known as the “Altoona of the West” because of where it was in the Pennsylvania Railroad. During the 1800’s the early years of our city began to flourish as people flocked there from all over settling down and looking for work.
The city continued to grow in the 1900’s as well. Fort Wayne actually thrived during The Great Depression, despite the odds. The city had a number of extremely notable and influential companies being developed there during these times. During these times is when Fort Wayne received some of it’s most notable landmarks, such as the Lincoln Tower and the Embassy Theatre.
This is the foundation that built our major metropolitan area that we have here in Indiana today. Fort Wayne is the second largest city in Indiana and continues to thrive and grow. Our city has gained much praise over the years, even being votes as Most Livable City and All American City.
Today Fort Wayne is known for it’s historical demonstrations and reenactments. The first Christmas Tree appeared here in 1840 and arrived on the Wabash and Erie Canal while being light bright with candles. The first telegraph line was also formed along the canal in 1848 and it connected Fort Wayne with Toledo. The first railway automotive was brought in 1854, which was the making of a new form of transportation known as the railroad. The first electric care was brought to Fort Wayne in 1891. After the electric car, the city developed trolleys which greatly improved the local means of transportation.
Our city is also known as the “City of Churches” as well as the “The City that Saved Itself” in regards to a large flood. This great Indiana city continues to boom and reinvent it’s beautiful landmarks and parks and make it’s residents proud to live here.