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Fort Wayne Travel Guide: 104 reviews and 156 photos
Fort Wayne is Indiana's oldest and second-largest city with a population of about 230,000 people and dating back to it's founding on October 22, 1794. It is located at the confluence of the St. Joseph, St. Mary, and Maumee Rivers, thus everything in town is named Three Rivers. It is along Interstate 69 about 35-40 miles south of the Michigan state line and about 125 miles north of downtown Indianapolis. The city is located at an altitude of 790 feet and is mostly level. Daytime high temperatures (in Farenheit) range from the mid-80s in the summer to the upper 20s in the winter with overnight lows dropping into the 60s in summer and teens in the winter. However, it isn't uncommon to have hot humid days in the summer hit 90 or even 100 degrees, although that sort of heat rarely lasts more than a few days. And winter often seens overnight lows plummet below zero. Fort Wayne recieves about 35 inches of precipitation a year with most in the winter coming in the form of snow. About 32 inches of the white stuff blanket the city over the course of an entire winter.
In the early 1700s the Miami indians had a large village set up along the banks of the Maumee River in what is now the Lakeside area of Fort Wayne which they called Kekionga, meaning it was the most ancient of the Miami villages. In 1722, the first of five forts was built along the St. Mary's River near the site of the present-day Sherman Street Bridge.
As the American Revolution began in the late 1700s, the area became known back east as a breeding ground for "terrorism" and was called Miamitown. While several Indian tribes had their homes here alongside traders and French settlers, outlaws, bandits, and traitors also hid out in the woods around the area.
In 1750 another fort was built by the French near the present-day intersection of St. Joe Blvd and Delaware Ave.
With the outbreak of the French and Indian War in 1755, many French troops from Fort Miami and Indian allies living in the area were sent in to battle the British soldiers, but the Indian troops defeated them consistantly.
General George Washington then sent Revolutionary War hero General "Mad" Anthony Wayne to Miamitown. He calmed Indian hostilities and built the first American fort at what is today the northwest corner of Berry and Clay Streets. On October 22, 1794, the new fort was officially named Fort Wayne. This date has since been officially recognized as the birthdate of Fort Wayne.
None of the original forts remain today, but visitors can still visit a replica of the original Fort Wayne just north of downtown along Spy Run Avenue.
As a kid growing up in a small town about an hour away from Fort Wayne, the only reason we ever ventured here was once or twice a year to go shopping at the large Glenbrook Square. I never knew Fort Wayne offered anything more until I moved here. And it amazes me how little people seem to know about their own hometown. I was driving across town with a friend of mine who had grown up in the Fort one night and as we were driving through downtown, I pointed out that I often parked in Lawton Park and would stroll around the downtown area. I told how beautiful I thought it was and how much I enjoyed it and she replied that she didn't even know what all was downtown. I can't believe the people that would remark that there was nothing to do in Fort Wayne. There are top notch museums, a beautiful zoo, a great library, all kinds of family entertainment, sporting events, safe friendly clubs, plenty of local places to grab a good bite to eat. Maybe it takes an out-of-towner to point these things out, I don't know. I like where I live now, but I really miss Fort Wayne. It really is a great city.
- Pros:Plenty of parks, lots of shopping, lots of family entertainment
- Cons:Traffic, traffic, traffic!
- In a nutshell:A beautiful little big city!
Reviews (48)
Skate Park
Things to Do
(18)
I'm not into skateboarding, but I know many people are so I figured I'd add this in as well. If you love to skateboard,... more travel advice
Mastadons on Parade
Local Customs
(6)
Alright, I'll admit, it's not a new concept, but it's still fun! Designers and sponsers from around Fort Wayne have... more travel advice
Summer Festivals
Local Customs
(6)
Fort Wayne is a party town. Almost every weekend in the summer there is some kind of festival going on in town! If you... more travel advice
Sunken Gardens in Huntington
Off The Beaten Path
(4)
Get away from life in the big city for a while. Head about 20 miles west down Highway 24 to the town of Huntington and... more travel advice
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- "Ischyros's Fort Wayne Page"
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- 25 Comments
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National/State ParkLatest Fort Wayne hotel reviews
- Residence Inn Fort Wayne
- 35 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 14, 2013 - Don Hall's Guesthouse
- 60 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 16, 2013 - Econo Lodge
- 22 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 10, 2013 - Clarion Hotel Fort Wayne
- 1 Review & Opinion
- Hampton Inn and Suites Fort Wayne North
- 64 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 12, 2013 - Value Place Fort Wayne
- 7 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 24, 2013 - Hallmark Inn Fort Wayne
- 13 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Feb 25, 2011 - Hilton Fort Wayne Convention Center
- 101 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 9, 2013 - Relax Inn & Suites Fort Wayne
- 3 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jan 14, 2012 - Country Inn & Suites By Carlson Fort Wayne
- 38 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 10, 2013 - Best Western Luxbury Inn Fort Wayne
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Latest: May 6, 2013 - Travelodge Fort Wayne
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Latest: Nov 13, 2012 - Marriott Fort Wayne
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Latest: May 14, 2013
Comments (25)
Hey, just one quick update on this. Very recently they changed the legislation such that anyplace in doors is a no smoking area. Bars, strip clubs, etc, included. I believe it's about 20 feet from the building before you are allowed to smoke. Just an fyi.
It's actually the 39th year for Three Rivers
Great to see another Hoosier on VT! Great stuff on Fort Wayne. We have spent a lot of time here and like it except for all of the one way streets downtown.
Food was sub par for the area. Too many better seafood places here. They are now out of business in Fort Wayne
Take away the hush puppies and the fries, and there's very little seafood to be had. A better bet is to head over to Decatur on Friday night for the all-you-can-eat crab legs and shrimp at The Back 40 Junction restaurant and buffet.
Great page! Very interesting ! Thank you! K&T
I've not visited this place, but was actually told over the phone by the owner "I don't care if anyone comes here or not". I think it's a 501c3 TAX FRAUD, not a musuem!
What a terrific page on an unknown (except to locals) gem of a town. You have made me want to make a visit.
You have a really nice page. I grew up in Ft. Wayne but moved to Florida - i dont think I ever knew what the city had to offer!
Great page! Its a shame about the old fort - my 4th grade field trip there is one of my favorite memories of school, along with ice skating at the mall.