Fort Wayne in Allen County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Earliest Railroad

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., December 30, 2008

1. Earliest Railroad Marker

Inscription. The Wabash & Erie Canal was instrumental in the construction of the first railways in Fort Wayne, which quickly became a railroading center in the Midwest. In 1852, along the canal at the present-day railroad elevation that borders the south edge of Headwaters Park at Lafayette Street, the first locomotive was unloaded from a canal boat. The locomotive was placed on tracks that were laid on Lafayette Street and led to the south side of town where the main line of the new Ohio and Indiana Railroad was due to be built. Later, this became the Pennsylvania Railroad system for which Fort Wayne was a major hub. When railroad competition reduced the effectiveness of the canal, surveys for a rail line extended north of Fort Wayne. However, in 1881, officials of the New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad, known commonly as “The Nickel Plate Road”, purchased the Wabash & Erie Canal right-of-way through central Fort Wayne. It became possible for the company to build a railroad through a Midwestern city, passing less than two blocks from the courthouse, without having to raze one building. The railroad elevation, completed in 1955,

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allowed the north side of the city to develop and grow rapidly. Today, the railroad elevation is a landmark structure between the downtown portion of Fort Wayne and Headwaters Park.

Erected by City of Fort Wayne and Glenbrook Square and Commons.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1852.

Location. 41° 5.163′ N, 85° 8.284′ W. Marker is in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in Allen County. It can be reached from S Clinton Street. Marker is one of a series that ring the Great Meadow in Headwaters Park. This marker is about 200 feet SE of the Hamilton Women Plaza. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 211 S Barr St, Fort Wayne IN 46802, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Indiana.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory

Photographed by Joel Seewald, July 22, 2023

2. Earliest Railroad Marker

of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Duck Creek: Early Industry and Business Development (within shouting distance of this marker); The Wabash & Erie Canal (within shouting distance of this marker); Little Turtle (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Little Turtle (within shouting distance of this marker); Emerine Jane Holman Hamilton (within shouting distance of this marker); League Park (within shouting distance of this marker); These are the Hamilton Women of Fort Wayne (within shouting distance of this marker); Early Masonic Lodge (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Wayne.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Jail Flats (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Great Meadow in Headwaters Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., December 30, 2008

3. Great Meadow in Headwaters Park

Several markers along path circling the Great Meadow, looking south with downtown Fort Wayne in background. Earliest Railroad marker is visible south of lamp post.

Photographed by Craig Doda, May 1, 2022

4. Earliest Railroad Marker

Elevated Railroad - Fort Wayne, IN image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 7, 2018

5. Elevated Railroad - Fort Wayne, IN

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 7, 2018

6. Elevated Railroad - Fort Wayne, IN

Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 13, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,756 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 13, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 2. submitted on August 21, 2023, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 3. submitted on March 13, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 4. submitted on May 3, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 5, 6. submitted on July 9, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.