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J ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 03291 9406
Gc 977.202 F77pre Gardner, H. W. , Fort Wayne, Indiana
FORT WAYNE
INDIANA 1913
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FORT WAYNE INDIANA
A PRESENTATION OF HER RESOURCES ACHIEVEMENTS AND POSSIBILITIES~
1013
PUBLISHED BY THE FORT WAYNE NEWS
An Authentic Compilation of the City's Industrial, Financial and Civic Activities Compiled By H.W. Gardner
Allen County Public Library 900 Webster Street PO Box 2270 Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2270
WILDWOOD AVENUE
The City of Fort Wayne
T IS not the intention of the publishers of this work to go into details of the early history making episodes nor to portray in elaborate word painting the remarkable growth and expansion of Fort Wayne, but rather to exemplify the city of today, its resources, possibil- ities and achievements. To that end no mention is given to the early history makers nor even to those who today are bending their individual energies to build a still greater Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne, termed the Summit city, occupies the highest altitude in Indiana, (775 feet above sea level) is located in the northeastern part of the state at the conjunction of the Maumee, St. Mary and St. Joseph rivers and is the third largest city in Indiana in point of population, manufacturing, industries and commerce, second in point of postal business and bank clearings. H is situated one hundred forty eight miles cast from Chicago, one hundred twenty three miles northeast from Indianapolis, and one hundred miles west from Toledo. Seven railroads, the Pennsyl- vania; Wabash; New York, Chicago & St. Louis; Grand Rapids & Indiana; Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton; Lake Erie & Western, and the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railroads pass through Fort Wayne. Over sixty passenger trains enter and leave the city daily. These transportation facilities are augmented by four
ROCKHILL STREET
..
MAPLE PLACE
interurban traction companies carrying both freight and passengers: The Fort Wayne & Northern Indiana Traction Co .; Toledo & Chicago; Fort Wayne, Van Wert & Lima and the Fort Wayne & Springfield Traction Co. The city is fortunate as regards freight rates. Fort Wayne enjoys equal rates with Chicago and lower rates than Grand Rapids in transcontinental shipments. Fort Wayne is situated in the center of a vast and rich agricultural region and is the metropolis of Allen County and a wide surrounding territory. The population is estimated for 1913 at 75,000. Fort Wayne has never entertained a boom growth. During its advancement, both in pop- ulation and industries, the city has always traveled along safe, sane and conservative lines. It is a story of a sound, healthful and natural growth, a city which extends a welcoming hand to the home seeker and of successful business opportunity to the investor. Fort Wayne is important as a manufacturing and distribut- ing center for a vast territory. Chief among the industries are: Railroad shops, electric works, iron, knitting mills, auto accessories, wood-working machinery, chemical products, soap works, steel dredges, foundries, oil tanks, mining concentrators, breweries, lumber mills, cigar manufacturers, pianos, fertilizer plant, meat packing, art glass, paper boxes, brick, cement stone, engravings and electrotypes, rolling mills, special furni- ture, corrugated paper, washing machines, cooperage, road machinery, flour mills, clothing and underwear, patent medicines, gas plant manufacturers and hundreds of smaller manufacturers. Fort Wayne has enjoyed much prosperity in the past and is planning much for the future. Building operations are expand-
LAKESIDE PALA
PAGE THREE
FOREST PARK BOULEVARD
ing. More people are builders of homes here. Manufacturing is broadening scope and facilities to make way for a population of 100,000. The assessed valuation of the city for the year 1913 was 837,077,980.00. The tax rate is $1.16 per thousand. The city contains well paved streets upon which have been expended in the past five years, including sewers, 8599,728.00. During the past three years 895,715.00 have been expended for other improvements. The city maintains well equipped fire and police departments with auto equipment of the latest type, it owns and maintains its own water system, with 122 miles of mains, and electric light plant, the former valued al $1.750,000.00 and the latter at $150,000.00. Fort Wayne boasts of numerous beautiful city parks of which it is justly proud, occupying 231.65 acres, valued at $330,000.00. The public schools of Fort Wayne consist of modernly equipped buildings with competent teachers, and curriculum equal to that of the largest cities. The public school property of the city is valued at $1,330,000.00. Fort Wayne has numerous fine church edifices representing all denominations. Under various captions through- out this publication will be found authentic and interesting information pertaining to the general ensemble of Fort Wayne of today.
Fort Wayne a Beautiful City
Fort Wayne is unequaled among cities of like size in the country in the presentment of all that is
FOSTER PARK
PAGE POUR
LAWTON PARK
artistie in the general appearance of its streets, parks, public and office buildings, residences, etc. The business section of the city presents clean, wholesome thoroughfares paved with the most approved material and lined with stores and office buildings that display the utmost modern and metropolitan attractiveness. The residential distriets are well laid out, the streets are well paved, the homes are attractive with here and there an exceptionally fine bungalow with which the city abounds. Although Fort Wayne is not a show place for palaces, there are numerous magnifi- cent homes that would do credit to the city of millions. It is a trait of Fort Wayne people to own their own homes and it is estimated that nearly ninety per cent. of the householders are freeholders as well. Building operations each year established new records. In the residential section of the city many imposing church edifices abound representing all denominations and in various styles of archi- tecture. There are 548 streets and avenues mostly paved with asphalt and brick containing over 210 miles. The streets of Fort Wayne in the residence district are lined with elms and maples. Beautiful drives reach to every section of the city and touch at all the parks. Nowhere can there be found a city of this size where the streets present more attractions for driving, for automobiling, cycling, or for the ordinary uses of traffic. The streets are well lighted by electricity furnished by the municipal power station with hundreds of ornamental lighting standards which line the principal business_thoroughfares.
CLINTON STREET BRIDGE
PAGE FIVE
VIEW IN ROBISON PARK
The Future of Fort Wayne
HE Fort Wayne of today has an approximate population of 75,000 people. The work in hand and the plans already under way for the future, points the road for further prosperity for Fort Wayne. The citizens of Fort Wayne know that their city possesses ad- vantages that make it the premier in manufacturing facilities and residential environs. The Fort Wayne Commercial Club was organized about fourteen years ago for the purpose of promoting the general welfare of the community and is composed of the leading manufacturers, merchants and professional men of the city. Much good has already been accomplished by this organization, with many plans on foot for Future betterment. The Fort Wayne Commercial Club holds itself ready at all times to bestow its aid upon any project that looks to the promotion of the city's welfare in any way. The organization maintains a handsome clubhouse with commodions rooms, including a large hall For banqueting or lecture work.
Health, Water, Sanitation
The general health of a city is always of utmost importance. It may be said that no other place in the country has been more free from contagious and infectious diseases. The excellent system of sewerage and
PUMPING STATION NUMBER ONE
PAGE SIX
ROBISON PARK PAVILION
hygienic _regulations are prominent factors in maintaining this reputation for this city. The public health is in the hands of a Board of Health appointed by the Mayor, assisted by a corps of consulting physicians and sanitary officers. The Health Commissioner is a skilled chemist and bacteriologist, who conducts an up-to-date, modern laboratory in which examinations of diseased material, of foods, water and milk are made. Sanitary measures, such as disinfection of houses, house to house inspection and the management of contagious diseases are controlled by scientific laboratory methods. For many years Fort Wayne has shown the lowest death rate of any of the cities in Indiana, and is among the cities that stand first in the United States in matter of public health. Fort Wayne has pure water. It owns its water works, the value of which is placed at $1,750,000.00, the supply coming from rock wells of great depth and pumped to the consumers through 122 miles of water mains distributed throughout the city. There has always been an adequate supply for drinking, manufacturing and city purposes.
Educational Advantages
Fort Wayne is justly proud of its educational institutions which are on a par with those of the largest cities. No municipal asset is more valuable, means as much to the public at large and to the future welfare of the com- munity as a city's educational advantages. For these reasons Fort Wayne has spent its money liberally and wisely in the upbuilding of its public school system. The attendance at these schools is constantly at the max-
RESERVOIR PARK
PAGE SEVEN
VIEW IN MCCULLOCH PARK
imum capacity. This also applies to the parochial schools. The public schools number twenty, including an excellent high and manual training school. There are, also, fifteen parochial schools and eighteen colleges and academies. The Board of Education employs two hundred forty-nine teachers whose combined salaries total yearly 8219,657.79. The value of public school properly, including new schools, is placed at $1,336,000.00. The roster of pupils for the year, term beginning September, 1912, to June, 1913, was 7976, divided as, males 3916, females 4060. The parochial or sectarian schools of Fort Wayne represent almost every denomination which operates separate schools. There are nine catholic and nine lutheran schools and colleges, besides other denominations. The enrollment of these schools almost equals that of the public schools. Fort Wayne is the seat of Concordia College an institution of wide note, maintained by the German Lutheran Church of the Missouri Synod, founded in Fort Wayne in the year 1861. Approximately four thousand young men have been enrolled at one time or the other. The curriculum of this college embraces theological, classical and literary courses. This college is well equipped. It has a campus of twenty-six acres, large and finely appointed buiklings. Fort Wayne also possesses an ex- cellent commercial school, the International Business College. This institution is one of the largest of its kind in the country The European School of Music is another institution of Fort Wayne of recognized merit, and which is conducted by an excellent faculty.
CATHOLIC CEMETERY
1
PAGE EIGHT
L
UPPER-KENFIELD, S. B. BECHTEL LOWER-C. A. DUNKELBERG
Prominent Fort Wayne Residences
UPPER-TREE HAVEN, A. Z. POLHAMU'S LOWER-A. A. BOWSER
PAGE NINE
VIEW IN SWINNEY PARK
City and County Government
HE government of the city of Fort Wayne is entrusted to a mayor, clerk, city comptroller, deputy city comptroller, city attorney, judge of the city court, three members of common council, five councilmen at large, ten councilmen with fifteen standing com- mittees, a board of park commissioners, department of public safety, board of park commissioners, department of public health and charities. The county executive officials including two judges, one of the circuit and one of the superior court, twenty-four commissioners and trustees and twenty supervisors. Since its incorporation as a city, Fort Wayne has seen many capable administrators hold the reins of its city government. The city is well protected by completely equipped fire and police departments, the former con- sisting of the latest approved apparatus including auto fire fighting machines, etc. The police department consists of a chief, eleven executive officers and forty-eight patrolmen. That the city fathers have expended wisely is evidenced by the extremely low bonded indebtedness of the city, and its low taxation which is $1.16. The combined salaries of city officials amount to $26,350.00 yearly. These city and county officials have had at all times the interest of the city as the paramount factor in their services. The low taxation demonstrates the carefulness with which they have expended the people's money. PUMPING STATION NG. 2
PAGE TEN
SHADY NOOK POINT-ON THE MAUMEE
PAGE ELEVEN
OLD PORT PARK
Public Service Utilities
UBLIC service utility concerns: The Fort Wayne and Northern Indiana Traction Co., furnishing electric light and power to consumers; The Indiana Lighting Co., gas for light, heating and fuel; The Home Telephone and Telegraph Co. and the Central Union Telephone Co. (Bell System.) The total cap- italization of the first three amounts to $13,211,600.00, and they employ 1475 people. The Fort Wayne and Northern Indiana Traction Company was incorporated February 25, 1911, through reorganization with a capital stock of $8,000,000.00. Over 1000 people are employed by this company with a wage roll of $700,000.00 yearly. As an adjunct, this concern operates power and light service. The traction service represents 85.7 ) miles of rity track and 134.74 miles of interurban. 70 city and 11 interurban cars are in operation. Robison Park one of the most unique recreation and amusement parks in the country, is owned and operated by this company. It was acquired in the year 1896. It contains 271 acres of beautiful landscaped grounds and architecturally fine buildings, and is reached by the city car line, sis and one half miles from the city transfer corner. The Indiana Lighting Company was originally established in the year 1853 and incorporated in August, 1908, under present title with a capital stock of $1,500,000.00. Besides supplying gas for light, heat and Fuel purposes, coke, ammonium
MIZPAII TEMPLE -NOBLES OF THE MYSTIC SHRINE
PAGE TWELVE
1
RE
RUSTIC BRIDGE-ROBISON PARK
PAGE THIRTEEN
BIBLE TRAINING SCHOOL
and tar are manufactured as by-products. 275 people are employed. This concern consumes yearly 250,000 tons of coal and 100 tanks of oil. It operates 135 miles of gas mains, and two gas containers each with a capacity of 1,000,000 feet of gas. Three hundred fifty millions feet of gas are consumed by Fort Wayne people yearly. The rate is eighty-five cents per thousand. The Home Telephone and Telegraph Company was organized in October, 1896, and incorporated with a capital stock of $711,600. This concern employs 200 people. Besides serving Fort Wayne, this Company operates branches at Kendallville, Auburn and New Haven, Indiana, and owns 1000 miles of toll lines, serving 11,000 subscribers including Fort Wayne City subscribers who total 9000, with underground cable system in the business section and part of the residence district in Fort Wayne. Two exchanges are operated in this city in buildings owned by the company. The average number of daily local calls is 90,000; long distance 1000. There are over 300,000 pounds of copper wire in service and 350,000 feet of cable for Fort Wayne use. The Central Union Telephone Co. is a branch of the Bell System which furnishes considerable long distance toll service in Fort Wayne and throughout the country. Antagonistic relationship between the public and its public service cor- porations is practically unknown in Fort Wayne, it being mutually understood that the best interests will be conserved by a successful get-together spirit, a policy that has proven a working success.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
PAGE FOURTEEN
BROOKSIDE-RESIDENCE OF MR. JOHN H. BASS
PAGE FIFTEEN
SE
LUTHERAN HOSPITAL
Henry W. Meyer, Architect
Postal Business
LLEN County, in which the city of Fort Wayne is located, has a working day delivery of mail to practically every farmer in the County. There are in all 52 rural free delivery routes, average length 25 miles, so that 1300 miles is covered every working day. Indiana has more miles of good gravel roads, accord- ing to Government reports, than any other state in the Union, and Allen County has more miles of good gravel roads than any other county in Indiana. These county roads all lead to Fort Wayne, the county scat, and they come through as rich a farming country as lies out of doors. Allen County has an area of 661 square miles and a population of 93,386 according to the U. S. Census of 1910. The Fort Wayne Postoffice is open to the public, from 7:15 A. M. to 9 P. M .; it serves a city population of 75,000 with two deliveries and two collections in the residence district and four deliveries and two collections in the business district; it has 14 numbered stations at which stamps and money orders are sold, mail registered, parcel post mail insured, and from which night collections are made in addition to the regular day collections. After paying its own employees and 21 railway mail clerks this office remitted to the Government, during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1913, the sum of $254,969.84. A bill calling for an appropriation of $500,000.00 has been
ST. PAULS' LUTHERAN CHURCH
PAGE SIXTEEN
BROOKSIDE DAIRY FARM-OWNED BY MR. JOHN H. BASS
PAGE SEVENTEEN
SCHOOL FOR FEEBLE MINDED YOUTH
John F. Wing, Architect
introduced in Congress to provide a new Government building for Fort Wayne. In 1904, this office employed 19 officials and clerks, 26 city car- riers and 8 rural route carriers. In 1913 there are employed 38 officials and clerks, 41 city and 15 rural carriers. The increase in receipts, 1913 over 1904, amounts to $200,532.63. The increase in salaries from 1901, which totaled $56,364.92, to 1913, which total $95,612.87, is $39,247.95. The total, actual weight of mail handled during the months of October and November, 1912, this being before parcel post was inaugurated, was 975,106 pounds. The total, actual weight of mail handled during the months of March and April, 1913, this being after parcel post was inaugu- rated, was 1,210,992 pounds-Increase 235,886 pounds. By actual count it was found that 33% of this increase was due to the adoption of the parcel post system. The Fort Wayne Postoffice is now handling about 7,000,000 pounds of mail each year. The money order business of this office for the year 1910, issued, amounted to $353,499.65. For the year 1911, $358,665.78. For the year 1912, $442,536.88. The amount paid out for the year 1910 was $623,502.47. For the year 1911, 8581,365.87. For the year 1912, 8614,703.53. The above figures begin with the fiscal year July 1st to the following year, ending June 30th.
Financial
Fort Wayne is well known for its sound financial operations and banking methods. There are eleven banking institutions here; four national banks, four trust companies and three private banks. Besides these there is a Building and Loan Association. This city has never had a financial panic, neither has it ever had a boom growth during its existence. The mercantile and industrial enterprises of the city
PAGE EIGHTEEN
UPPER-THEODORE F. THIEME LOWER-ROBERT MILLARD
Prominent Fort Wayne Residences
UPPER-B. PAUL MOSSMAN LOWER-DAVID N. FOSTER
PAGE NINETEEN
REFORMED ORPHANS HOME
have been carefully organized upon a sound, conservative basis. The banking facilities have played a big part in the upgrowth of these in- stitutions by their liberal, yet sanc policies. Upon the financial standing of the banks often depends the fortunes or misfortunes of their customers and a feeling of confidence in these institutions gives an assurance to depositors. Bank failures are unknown here, and at no time during the severest panies have the doors of any bank been closed for a moment to a depositor. In other words, no city regardless of size or location offers safer or better banking accomodations. The combined capital of the national banks and trust companies is $2,220,000.00; surplus and undivided profits $1,372,100.00; deposits $22,873,000.00. The private banks have paid up capital and surplus running into several thousands of dollars. The above statements are divided as follows: First National, capital $500,000.00 surplus and undivided profits $250,000.00, deposits $4,500,000.00; Hamilton National, capital $300,000.00, surplus and undivided profits $452,100.00, deposits $3,738,000.00; German American National, capital $260,000.00, surplus and undivided profits $125,000.00, deposits $2,600,000.00; Old National, capital $350,000.00 surplus and undivided profits $213,248.66, deposits $3,359,881.31; Citizens Trust Co., capital $200,000.00, surplus and undivided profits $18,000.00, deposits $1,417,000.00; German American Trust Co., capital $100,000.00, surplus and undivided profits $10,000.00, deposits $577,000.00; Peoples Trust and Savings Co., capital $200,000, surplus and undivided profits 863, 100.00, deposits $1,617,000 00; Tri-State Loan and Trust Co., capital $310,000, surplus and undivided profits $247,000.00, deposits $4,989,000.00. The clearings of these banks have jumped by leaps and bounds. In the year 1911 the amount was $53,921,953.13. In 1912, $58,930,466.26. In 1913 it is estimated these clearings will exceed $63,000,000.00.
PAGE TWENTY
UPPER-HUGH G. KEEGAN LOWER-FRED. J. THIEME
Prominent Fort Wayne Residences
UPPER-DR. EDWARD W. DODEZ LOWER-WM. M. GRIFFIN
PAGE TWENTY-ONE
Manufacturing and Jobbing
HE manufact- uring industries of Fort Wayne number over three hundred, represent- ing a wide diversity of products, over a thousand separate and distinct arti- cles being made. New factories are constantly being added to the present roster with numerous addi- tions being made to pre- sent industries with a total capitalization of over $27,000,000.00 and a wage roll of over $10,000,000.00. The approximate number of people employed in Fort Wayne in various indus- tries and places of employ- ment is over 12,000. Fort Wayne's products are sold throughout the world and several thousands of cars are shipped annually into foreign countries. Fort Wayne boasts of great elec- tric works, knitting mills, washing and road building machinery, gas making machinery, oil tanks, rolling mills, foundries, flouring (Continued on page 117)
ALLEN COUNTY COURT HOUSE
PAGE TWENTY-TWO
1
Y THE HELL
UPPER-CHARLES W. ORR LOWER-CAROLINE M. OLDS
Prominent Fort Wayne Residences
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UPPER-J. M. BARRETT LOWER-HENRY BEADELL
PAGE TWENTY-THREE
SCENES AL BRONI IDE
RESIDENCE OF MR. JOHN H. BASS
AGE TWENTY FOTO
THE PLACE
UPPER-S. B. FLEMING LOWER-MRS. M. C. EWING
Prominent Fort Wayne Residences
UPPER-F. G. GAUNTT LOWER-W. N. BALLOU, PENN PLACE
PAGE TWENTY-FIVE
SCENES IN SWINNEY PARK
PAGE TWENTY-SIX
SCENES IN ROBISON PARK
PAGE TWENTY-SEVEN
CALHOUN STREET
NORTH FROM SHOAFF BUILDING
PAGE TWENTY-EIGHT
JOZOI
NANE'S
ME
CALHOUN STREET-SOUTH FROM COLUMBIA STREET
PAGE TWENTY -NINE
ROSCATHAI
AFFORD
GAR STORES CO.
BERRY STREET-WEST FROM CALHOUN STREET
PAGE THIRTY
CATHEDRAL SQUARE
PAGE THIRTY-ONE
PUBLIC LIBRARY
PAGE THIRTY-TWO
2.2
MINER
HIGH AND MANUAL TRAINING SCHOOL
Charles R. Weatherhoug, Architect
PAGE THIRTY-THREE
2
Mahurin & Mahurin, Architects
SCOTTISH RITE CATHEDRAL
PAGE THIRTY - POUR
1
CITY MARKET
Mahurin and Mahurin, Architecta
PAGE THIRTY-FIVE
POST OFFICE
CITY HALL
John F. Wing, Architect
PAGE THIRTY -SIX
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BIRDSEYE VIEW OF CONCORDIA COLLEGE
Juhn M. E. Riedel, Architect
PAGE THIRTY - SEVEN
1
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4
1 EPISCOPAL RESIDENCE OF BISHOP ALERDING, AND RECTORY 3 ST. VINCENT'S ORPHAN ASYLUM
2 ST. PATRICK'S LYCEUM AND GYMNASIUM 4 ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL
GE THIRTY -EIGHT
1
2
3
HOTEL CENTUVRE
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6
1 WAYNE HOTEL 4 ALT HEIDELBERG HOTEL
2 RANDALL HOTEL
3 BALTES HOTEL
5 HOTEL CENTLIVRE
6 THE HOF BRAU
PAGE THIRTY-NINE
737-71/71
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5
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1 Y. W. VA
SHOAFF BUILDING
3
COMMERCIAL. CLI B
-1 ST. ROCHUS HOSPITAL
5 ALLEN COUNTY ORPHANS HOME
G HOPE HOSPITAL
7 COUNTRY CLUB
S HOME TELEPHONE CO. SOUTH SIDE BRANCH
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1 MASONIC TEMPLE AND TEMPLE THEATRE 2 ELKS TEMPLE
6 MAJESTIC THEATRE
3 I. O. O. F. BUILDING 7 EMPRESS THEATRE
4 TURN VEREIN VOERWARTS
5 PYTHIAN BUILDING
S JEFFERSON THEATRE
PAGE FORTY-ONE
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2 BLOOMINGDALE
Schools
1 ST. PATRICK'S PAROCHIAL. R. C.
1 JEFFERSON STREET
3 WASHINGTON STREET
HANNA STREET
6
HOAGLAND AVENUE
1- HARMER STREET
8
CLAY STREET
PAGE FORTY-TWO
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8
5
1 NEW ST. PAULS
2 NEW RUDISILL
3 MINER
1 ST. MARYS
1
Public and Parochial Schools
5 ST. MARYS GERMAN R. C. FOR GIRLS 7 ST. ANDREWS 6 CHURCH OF PRECIOUS BLOOD SCHOOL ST. PETERS
PAGE FORTY-THREE
1781116111
111
6
2
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7
Public Schools
5 HUFFMAN STREET
6 MCCULLOCH
7 NEBRASKA
8 JAMES SMART
1 SOUTH WAYNE
2 HAMILTON
3 LAKESIDE
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