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

Thomas Swinney House

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 22, 2019

1. Thomas Swinney House Marker

Inscription. Original construction of the house was begun in 1844. The second story, wing, and rear portion was added in 1885. Colonel Swinney bequeathed this house and about 240 acres of land to the city as a park which was to “remain open and free to the public… .” This was the first land donated for that purpose to the city. The Historical Society occupied the house in 1924. An earlier log cabin was built behind this one about 1826.

Erected by Allen County-Fort Wayne Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1844.

Location. 41° 4.404′ N, 85° 9.463′ W. Marker is in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in Allen County. It is in West Central. It is on Swinney Court west of Garden Street when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1424 Swinney Ct, Fort Wayne IN 46802, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

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 of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: "Johnny Appleseed" (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of the Fort Wayne College (about 700 feet away); Kekionga Ball Grounds (approx. 0.2 miles away); Camp Allen 1861-64 (approx. 0.2 miles away); WOWO Time Capsule (approx. ¼ mile away); Carole Lombard (approx. 0.4 miles away); Old Aqueduct Club Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); John Claus Peters House (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Wayne.

Also see . . .
1. Thomas W. Swinney House. National Register of Historic Places nomination (PDF) and accompanying photographs (separate PDF) submitted for the house, which was listed in 1981. (Prepared by Raon Meitz, Betty McDermott, Lois Snouffer and Helen Robinson, all of Old Fort Settlers Society; via National Park Service)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 1, 2025

2. Thomas Swinney House Marker

(Submitted on November 22, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Thomas Swinney House. Thomas Swinney came to Fort Wayne shortly before 1824. Born in Piketon, Ohio in 1803, Swinney was a land speculator who developed a large part of west end Fort Wayne. (ARCH, Inc.) (Submitted on November 22, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Thomas Swinney Houses image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 22, 2019

3. Thomas Swinney Houses

An 1826 log cabin (left) sits behind the 1885 rear addition of the house.

Thomas Swinney Log Cabin image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 22, 2019

4. Thomas Swinney Log Cabin

He and his family, including five daughters, lived here until moving into the neighboring brick and limestone house in 1845.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 22, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 65 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 22, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.