Historical Markers in
Allen County, Indiana

Abraham Lincoln • The Hoosier Youth Allen County and Fort Wayne W.W. I Memorial Allen County Revolutionary War Memorial Camp Allen 1861-64 Carole Lombard Cathedral of Immaculate Conception Cemetery of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church Chief Little Turtle Duck Creek: Early Industry and Business Development Earliest Railroad Early Effort To Build A Park Emboyd Theatre Emerine Jane Holman Hamilton First Americans Flood Retention Walls Fort Miamis Fort Wayne ~ Fort Dearborn Trail Forty et Eight Grabill, Indiana Gronauer Lock No. 2 Harlan Park Veterans Memorial Harlan, Indiana Headwaters Park Headwaters Park Home of Philo T. Farnsworth Huntertown, Indiana I Have A Dream Jail Flats John B. Franke Johnny Appleseed Journal Gazette Building Kekionga League Park Lindenwood Cemetery Little Turtle Major General Anthony Wayne Maumee - Wabash Portage Meshekinnoquah Miami Legend of the Sandhill Crane Mother George Old Aqueduct Club Memorial Old Fort Wayne Well Old Maysville Cemetery Pirogue Landing Purple Heart Tribute Memorial Richardville Site of Hardin’s Defeat Site of Last French Fort Site of the Fort Wayne College St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church The Allen County Courthouse The Battle of Harmar's Ford The Battle of Kekionga The Canal House The Elektron Building The First French Fort / The First Playground in Fort Wayne The First Police Station The Floods The Fur Traders and the Military at Fort Wayne The Last Two American Forts / The Siege of 1812 The Site of General Wayne's Fort The Wabash & Erie Canal These are the Hamilton Women of Fort Wayne This clock tower Wabash and Erie Canal Groundbreaking Wayne Trace William Wells Woodburn, Indiana "Johnny Appleseed"
The first public demonstration of the electric light bulb was given by Thomas Edison in Menlo Park, New Jersey, but the first practical incandescent light bulb was invented by Lewis Howard Latimer, who was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, but lived in Indiana for a time. Latimer was also the first African American to be employed as an engineer by the U.S. Patent Office.
Allen County, located in northeastern Indiana, has a rich history that dates back to prehistoric times. The area was initially inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Miami, Potawatomi, and Shawnee. In the late 18th century, European settlers began to arrive, and Fort Wayne was established in 1794 as a trading post by General Anthony Wayne. The presence of the fort played a crucial role in the development and growth of the region.

During the early 19th century, Allen County experienced significant growth as a result of its strategic location along the Wabash and Erie Canal, which connected the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River. This led to an influx of settlers, new industries, and increased trade. Agriculture, manufacturing, and lumbering became important economic activities, and Fort Wayne emerged as a thriving industrial center.

The late 19th and early 20th centuries witnessed continued growth and progress in Allen County. The arrival of the railroad in the 1850s further facilitated trade and transportation. Industrial expansion continued, with the city becoming known for its manufacturing of automobiles, textile products, and electrical equipment. Simultaneously, cultural institutions such as schools, libraries, and parks were established, enhancing the quality of life in the county.

In more recent times, Allen County has evolved into a diverse and dynamic community. The county has seen significant urban development, the creation of new job opportunities, and improvements in infrastructure. The presence of educational institutions, including Purdue University Fort Wayne and Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne, has helped foster a knowledge-based economy. Today, Allen County is known for its vibrant arts scene, annual festivals, and a strong sense of community heritage.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Allen County, Indiana.

  • February 11, 1824 - Allen County is created by the Indiana General Assembly.
  • 1831 - Fort Wayne, the county seat, is incorporated as a town.
  • 1855 - The first railroad line, the Pittsburgh Fort Wayne and Chicago Railway, is completed in Allen County.
  • 1874 - Telephone service is introduced in Fort Wayne.
  • 1884 - The first electric streetcar line is established in Fort Wayne.
  • 1963 - Allen County War Memorial Coliseum opens in Fort Wayne.
  • 1990 - The population of Allen County surpasses 300,000.
  • 2006 - Parkview Field, home of the Fort Wayne TinCaps baseball team, opens in downtown Fort Wayne.