There are some beautiful old buildings in downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana and in the old neighborhoods close to the city. The main focus of today's post is The History Center.
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| The cars, lines, and trees detract from the photo, but I wanted to include a view of this side of the building. |
Built in 1893, the building originally housed the offices of city officials, as well as the municipal court and police department. At the south end of the building was the jail, or "calaboose." At the turn of the century the garage housed the city paddy wagon and hayloft for the horses which were stabled nearby.
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| The front (North Side) |
Originally known as "The Fort Wayne City Building" and later as "The Old City Hall," the building was abandoned in 1971, as the city offices were moved to a new facility.
In 1979, the Historical Society rehabilitated the Old City Hall to create the Historical Museum, which was opened to the public in October, 1980. | |
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| Lincoln Tower |
The Lincoln Tower, built in 1929-1930 was, for decades, the tallest building in the state of Indiana with its 22 floors. It no longer holds that distinction, but it's still a beautiful structure. My mom worked for a law firm on the 17th floor of that building for years, so it holds a special place in my heart.
I'd been wanting to capture some images from the city to share here on the blog but never had much occasion to go downtown. Recently, though, all the appointments related to my cataract surgeries have been taking me there. My doctor's office and surgical center are in the same block as The History Center, and I couldn't resist taking my camera with me one day and capturing these few images. Hopefully, there will be more forthcoming as there are many worthy architectural subjects to choose from in this city.
By the way, my eyes are now doing quite well. The doctor intentionally made my right eye a bit nearsighted, while giving me increased distance vision in the left eye. It allows me to see both far and near without glasses, which is a good plan. I'm finding it challenging to get my eyes synchronized with each other, but I'm seeing better now than I've ever seen before in my life. Hallelujah!
Hope healing goes perfect. I will keep you in my prayers.Love that building, it is a castle.The tall one would have been one my friends and I would have liked to ride in the elevators. Not many tall ones here in the 60's.We would go downtown and ride elevators and escalators before going to the movies which were all downtown also.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Steve. We've admired that building for years. I'm glad I finally got around to getting some pictures. It WAS fun to ride the elevators in the Lincoln Tower. They used to let people go up to the observation deck, too; but I don't think they do that anymore.
DeleteGood for you on your cataract surgery success. George had cataract surgery a year ago --but even though his long distance vision is great, he still struggles with reading and using the computer... BUT then --he developed Macular Degeneration which is another problem entirely. I have cataracts but so far no surgery...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful old buildings in Fort Wayne... The big museum (city building) reminded me of the museum in Big Stone Gap, VA (my hometown). However, the BSG museum is MUCH smaller ---but similar otherwise.... The Lincoln Tower is a beauty also...
Keep on seeing better and better.
Hugs,
Betsy
It's amazing to me to be able to see when I wake up in the morning, Betsy...without putting on glasses. I see so well that I'm constantly trying to remove my glasses before doing things like getting into the shower or going to bed.
DeleteThere are lots of old buildings that I want to photograph in and near the downtown area. I need to get to Big Stone Gap someday. It sounds charming.
Thanks for the memories -- I remember both of these buildings from the time I went to college not far from Fort Wayne. I haven't been back there in ages. I'm glad your cataract surgery has worked so well. I look forward to many more beautiful photos in future posts!
ReplyDeleteThanks, George. I'm glad I was able to stir some of those old memories. I'll try to get some more photos from town to show in the future. And thanks for the tips on photographing the exlipse. I appreciate that very much.
DeleteI hope you continue to heal, dear friend. Your photos are fantastic, I love all these buildings!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda. You're very kind.
DeleteThose are very impressive structures. So good to hear that your eyesight is improving.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ruth. I was always grateful to have vision, even if poor. At least it could be mostly corrected with glasses. But to be able to see without glasses is more than I could ever have imagined. God is so good.
DeleteLove the city hall building, it's stunning. I have to say I'm a huge fan of older buildings as the architecture, to me, has a lot more character than modern ones.
ReplyDeleteLinda, it's great to hear your vision is better. You've got a really good doctor. With the farsighted and nearsighted lenses in different eyes you got exactly what Goodman wanted, but when he brought it up, our ophthalmologist advised against it. (sigh) I've changed eye doctors and have an appointment near the end of the month. I can't wait to hear what she has to say about whether or not I should have the surgery done. I'm not going to have it, regardless, but it will be interesting.
I love that building, too. Oddly, we've never been inside it. But we might visit the museum next week. I agree about the character of older structures. Builders were artisans then.
DeleteThanks for the prayers for my eyes. I really didn't want the near/far option; but, by the time I decided that, they'd already done the near one. I see the benefit of it now, but the difference between the two eyes is major. I'm not sure I'm going to be totally satisfied without some correction for distance in the nearsighted eye. I'll keep you posted. Hope you like your new eye doctor and that she gives you good advice...and listens, too.
First of all, dear lady, I am rejoicing with you in the goodness of the Lord as you are seeing better! That is super wonderful news!
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking your camera with you one day and taking these wonderful pictures to share with us. I enjoyed reading the history behind each one. That is one thing that I have always enjoyed about your blog posts...the history always intrigues me and I love seeing places I will probably never get to visit. :)
Thank you, Dianna. I feel so blessed with my "new" eyes. And thank you for your kind words about this post and my blog in general.
Deletethere will be no holding you now that you can see better than ever before. these are lovely historic buldings great post
ReplyDeleteThank you, Margaret. Seeing better does help to motivate me to get out with my camera a bit more.
DeleteThat's wonderful that your vision has improved. It means even more great photos to come! Don't forget to adjust the diopter to your altered vision if you use the viewfinder. :) Lovely architecture in Fort Wayne. Your captures are so crisp and perfect.. hopefully mirroring your vision.
ReplyDeleteI've been fiddling with that diopter, Hilary. I think I've got it set pretty well for my new vision. Thanks for your kind words.
DeleteHallelujah! That is great news. The eyes are so important. I like all the history in those buildings....and your mom worked in one. Neat
ReplyDeleteThanks for rejoicing with me, Kim. Yes, eyes and vision are a precious gift.
DeleteBeautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Regine.
DeleteBoth the History Center and the Lincoln Tower are quite interesting buildings. It's always so good when these old buildings are used and reused... Take your camera with you more often! :)
ReplyDeleteThe Lincoln Tower has never been out of use, but it has accommodated different businesses through the years. I need to try for a better picture of it someday, as well as some of those other older structures around town. Thanks for the encouragement to take my camera with me more often. I need to do that.
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