West Central Historic District

Known locally as West Central, the West End Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. A portion of the neighborhood received local designation shortly thereafter, and was expanded in 1985.

Located directly west of downtown Fort Wayne, the West End Historic District occupies a self-contained area clearly defined by both man-made and natural boundaries; Main Street on the north, the St. Mary's River on the West, and the elevated railroad tracks on the south. The only open edge is to the east, where the neighborhood abuts the central business district.

The West End began to develop as a residential area as early as the canal era of the 1830s. Due to its continued popularity as a favored middle and upper class neighborhood well into the 20th century, the houses of the West End represent virtually all architectural styles popular between 1830 and 1950, and were inhabited by citizens engaged in virtually all professions.

Since development of the area came as a westward expansion of the city, blocks are oriented so the majority of the buildings face the east-west streets. Along fashionable Berry, Wayne, and Washington Streets, many of the city's prominent families built large, stylish homes. Early industrialists such as H.G. Olds, owner of wagon and railroad car works; Ronald McDonald, whose Jenney Electric plant developed into the present General Electric plant on Broadway; William Page Yarnelle, heavy hardware wholesaler; and Theodore Theime, owner of the Wayne Knitting Mills all resided in West Central. Prominent downtown retailers Myron Dessauer L.O.Hull, and Horatio Ward, state senator and attorney Robert Bell, and John Claus Peters, owner of the Wayne Hotel were other residents. The prominence of the West End resulted in a large concentration of buildings representing the work of Fort Wayne's most important architects.

While the north side of the district served as home to many business owners, the southern portion was home to their employees and those who worked at the various industries stretching along the south side of the railroad corridor. Between Jefferson Blvd. and the railroad tracks exists a marvelous collection of modest, small-scale workers cottages arranged along narrow, tree-lined, brick streets.

In addition to possessing some of Fort Wayne's early Greek Revival style homes and a rare Gothic Revival residence, the district also contains the largest collection of homes designed by Wing and Mahurin, one of the most successful architectural firms in Indiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

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