Owner: Child of the Fort URL:http://childofthefort.blogspot.com Join Date: Tue, 04 Mar 2008 01:07:00 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: My memories of growing up in Fort Wayne,Indiana Site statistics:Click here
File This Under - Four Days Later - STILL Ticked Off 2008-03-09 05:41:04 Back in December, when I decided to start this blog, and I found myself spending oodles of time surfing the web - that's what I came across the web site for the Indiana Historical Society.Indiana's Storyteller Connecting People to the PastAfter reading a tagline like this - how could a person resist signing up for a yearly membership?Well, I couldn't and so I did.By the way - you can find them here - and membership is relatively inexpensive ($40 for individual).One of the neat things about membership is that you can opt to receive some of their publications. For example - Traces (of Indiana and Midwestern History) - an "award winning" history magazine published quarterly by IHS.It came in the mail today.On the cover - Indiana's Lincoln - and on the inside, a 15 page story about Lincoln and Read more:Four Days
I'm On A Mission - Need Your Help 2008-03-09 03:23:03 NOTE: Special Thanks to Christopher for letting me know that this used to be called "Andy's".There's a specific memory from childhood that is as clear as day.When my sister and I were - oh around - 11-12 years old, we would ride our bikes down Kyle Road...turn left to Sandpoint Road...curve around (nodding to Mason Drive which was on our right - and where our second cousins - Rex/Rita/Robbie/Jenny used to live)....We continued on Sandpoint Road - passing another side street or two (or three) and on our right, was a - well - a "mom and pop" place - almost like a gas station grocery store, but I think it only had one pump and I don't remember the name of the place.So here's where I need your help.What was the name of this place?Who owned it?Does anyone have a picture of it?I'm assuming it is Read more:Mission
Greyhound Union Bus Terminal 2008-03-09 03:21:19 Greyhound Union
Bus TerminalJefferson StreetFort Wayne, IndianaPhoto Credit: Postcard from mid 60'sThere was a short period of time when my grandparents lived away from us - in Jackson, Michigan. I don't know the exact dates however, sometime in the early 70's rings a bell for me. I remember the economy not being all that good and my grandparents moved out of town for some job that Grandpa had accepted at a place called the Wayne Box Company (?).Since neither one of them could drive, they would take the Greyhound Bus to Fort Wayne and I would ride along with my mom and dad to pick them upThe Greyhound Bus Station was gorgeous...its 1940's art deco architecture was quite unique - but as a child who was probably 6 or 7 years old at the time when I visited the place the most - I took its beau Read more:Greyhound
Special Request 2008-03-06 19:19:17 I know I've posted (to the side) a list of photos that I'm looking for. I'm looking for a handful that are residential in nature (instead of business).My grandparents lived in the following residences - and I have no pictures of these. I don't even know if they are still standing.* 1916 West Main Street & 1922 West Main Street* 814 Clay Street & 808 Clay Street (I believe these two are completely demolished)* Sheridan Court ApartmentsIf you have these or can take photos of these for me - I'd be forever indebted to you. Read more:Special
The Continued Erosion of Loyalty 2008-03-04 00:02:13 One of the reasons that I focus on the past (as it applies to Fort Wayne) is that I'm completely heartbroken over what has been deemed "progress" over the past 15 years.Do you remember this map that was released in - oh - the mid-70's?I only have a small version to post here - but the one I have on this person is a fantastic animated/illustration of the businesses that were a strong force - a huge contributing factor - that made Fort Wayne stand out from all of the other big-little cities.Companies like -ScottsRogersMaloleysFort Wayne National BankAnthony Wayne BankArchwayEckrich MeatsSeyfertsHoliday TheatersNobsonsSouthtown MallA&W Rootbeer StandFalstaff BreweryWayne CandiesAnd then last - but not least was a little ole force to be wreckoned with - Lincoln National Corporation (now kn Read more:Loyalty
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal 2008-03-02 06:13:45 Twenty years ago today, you drew your last breath.It was anti-climactic.I was not there.I didn’t want to be there.I couldn’t watch you anymore.You were out of your head – literally.Not the man who introduced me to Dairy Queen Blizzards.Or Colby cheese from The Mouse House.Or who smoked cigars with the funny-gypsy-looking lady on the box.Over a very short period of time, you became something that we are all afraid of becoming.A man trapped inside a body which is physically disabled and cognitively empty.I know you know that’s why I couldn’t be near you then.Gosh. Even today, when I stop to write and acknowledge this event which happened half my life ago - the grief comes - floats up from some place not that far away.How can that be?I'm still so very angry - at you - at God - at my Read more:leaves
Fort Wayne Public Transportation Corporation (FW-PTC) 2008-02-07 22:19:31 I didn't get my driver's license until I was nineteen gasp.Neither of my grandparents drove - EVER. My grandfather's eyesight was too bad and my grandmother just never felt the need. Living with them in downtown-ish Fort Wayne
, our choices were to walk or to take the bus.Yes, you read that right - the bus.I don't know when my first PTC bus ride was however, I wouldn't be surprised if it was before I was able to walk.There are things about the PTC that I remember like it was yesterday.* The fishbowl-type shape of the front of the bus* The changer located to the right of the bus driver (gosh! but I loved dropping the coins in!)* Oh! And at one time, all of the bus drivers carried one of those silver coin changers on their belt too.* The thick, silver-like string that I lived to pull. You kno Read more:Public
, Transportation
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"Two Men Look Out A Window...One Sees Mud, One Sees Stars," --- Oscar Wilde 2008-02-07 21:21:04 Walb Memorial Student UnionPhoto Credit: IPFW Web SiteOctober 15, 1991 - Should have been a regular fall day but it was not. We were all busy that day preparing the Walb Memorial Union Ballroom for the mayoral debate between current Mayor Paul Helmke and his democratic challenger, Charlie Belch.While my friends Janet Ausbury (IPSGA right hand woman) and Mike Wills (IPSGA Senator extraordinaire) were ensuring that the meat of the questions were coming together, I was in my office (Walb 224?) juggling the phone calls of local reporters.The people who served (whether they liked it or not) as my surrogate parents - Marian Adair Zimmerman, Dean of Students and Bill Frederick, Presiding Officer for the IPFW Faculty Senate and the two men who kept the campus on its toes - Steve Hollander (Prof - Read more:Window
, Oscar
, Wilde
, Oscar Wilde
Happy Birthday David Alan 2008-02-05 00:24:52 The Big 4-0, right?Dearest David
Alan,I was talking about you today at work and I happened to have this picture of us handy on my computer (thanks to you). These people I work with don't know me well - what they know of me - is what I have allowed to be revealed over the past twenty months.When they saw this picture, they assumed it was of my husband. I chuckled and then said - no way Homer! That's David Alan! It was like I was transported back to 1982 and you were right there next to me. I swear, I started talking all Valley Girl like (or maybe I just imagined I did).So anyway, people saw this picture and they were like - who is he and why do you two look like you stepped off of a wedding cake?I was stumped. How much to tell? I mean, here I am 42 - it's your birthday - and I'm not sure I Read more:Happy
, Birthday
, Happy Birthday
Fort Wayne Television In the 70's - PBS Was Zoomin' My Screen 2008-02-04 22:59:15 In Fort Wayne
during the 70's, we had three channels - ABC, CBS, NBC and sometimes, depending on the antenna on the television, which way the wind was blowing, and what other major appliances were running, we could get in channel 39 (PBS).As a side note...I tell my thirteen year old that he just doesn't know how lucky he is. I've told him that while growing up in FortWayne, we had a television that was on the small side (maybe 19 inches?) and when we were able to purchase one of those console jobbies where the picture was color instead of black and white well....wow! Jackpot baby!So back to PBS...while it is known for shows like Sesame Street, the coolest thing (or one of the coolest things to rock the face of my pre-pubescent earth) was ZOOM.I loved lots of things about ZOOM and at the Read more:Television
Blast From The Past: Authority figures missing from local newscasts 2008-01-17 03:20:17 I just love coming across old articles from the Fort Wayne Newspapers. They make me chuckle :).Published Date: October 16, 1984Paper: The News SentinelWhere are all the authority figures on local television news, the anchormen and women who look like they've been around Fort Wayne a while and know what they're talking about?You'll have a hard time finding them here. When WKJG News Director Dick Florea, 47, gave up his anchorman post on Channel 33 Friday, that left us with the under-40 crowd. At WPTA Channel 21, co-anchors Keith Edwards and Susan Alderman are barely in their 30s.At WKJG, Jim Brook is in his mid-30s and co-anchor Marilyn Lis is just finishing her 20s. The co-anchors at WANE are even younger; Liz Berry's in her mid-20s and her new partner, Ken Owen, is a mere 23.Judging by th Read more:Blast
, Authority
Fort Wayne's Santa Claus 2008-01-12 20:51:09 I swear. Every single one of you better go dig up your own version of this photo. I know you have at least one. Send 'em over. We'll post them.This is me - Kristina Michele Frazier and my best friend Babette. Now, I don't remember Babette's last name and honestly, I haven't seen her since 1971. I met her when we were living in an apartment building (managed by my grandparents) on Clay Street. I *think* I've marked the right location (or close enough). It was demolished many years ago.If you lived in or near FW during this time period, you could count on a couple of traditions.Your mom, dragging you downtown for a picture with Santa
. Standing in line to get that picture of Santa.Getting tired of standing in that line for that picture with Santa.I don't know what anyone elses experience was Read more:Wayne
, Claus
, Santa Claus
Distracted (But Amused and Fascinated) 2008-01-12 18:16:35 My obsession with Fort Wayne continues.I apologize. I've been on the road this week and that's partially why I haven't posted anything. I have about a dozen started - the deal is - as I'm writing about stuff, I do a web search, and then it's 9 hours later.Seriously.In other words, I'm a chick who probably needs to have a Ritalin drip hooked into her :).And one would think that sooner or later, I'd stop finding things that distract me from completing my memory of the moment. But yep...not yet.In addition, I've purchased a photo scanner so I am scanning in tons of photos.As I said...I'm distracted.
St. Mary's Catholic Church 2008-01-04 05:54:24 St. Mary's CatholicChurch
1101 Lafayette StreetFort Wayne, IN 46803(260) 424-8231Photo Credits: Argil ShockI'm having a difficult time writing this today.When I went searching for some photographs to use for this entry, I came across many that were related to 1993 fire. silenceYou know how sometimes, you intellectually know things but emotionally, you push it back so far in your mind, that you can sometimes fool yourself into thinking that some tragic event really didn't happen?I think I did that with the fire.That day - along with events like The Challenger Explosion, 9/11, and the death of my grandfather - are forever etched in the core of my soul. They were pivotal events that changed me - just like earlier generations were affected by the depression or the assassination of John F. Ken
Holiday Movie Theaters - I & II 2008-01-02 18:02:14 Holiday Theaters
I & II949 Northcrest Shopping CenterFort Wayne, Indiana 46805-1225(219) 484-2223Photo Credit: Adam MartinHere it is, the last day off before I have to return to work and you would think that I would have spent the day relaxing, napping - and you know - just taking it easy.But no. Instead, I got myself all riled up about the Holiday Theaters (and when I say Holiday Theaters - I don't acknowledge those piddly-ass 6 tiny ones off to the side - which should have never been built to begin with.)I found pictures today. Not many, but some. And as I looked at them, I became angrier and angrier. My husband Mike walks in and wants to know why I'm pouting.Look at this! I point to my laptop screen.What?Look at this! I point with MORE emphasis.What am I looking at?EXACTLY!!Mike's b Read more:Holiday
Roller Dome South 2007-12-31 22:02:55 Roller Dome South
4540 Bluffton RoadFort Wayne, IN 46809(260) 747-3919Photo Credit:Roller Dome South Web SiteI can't recall exactly, the first time, that I stepped foot into the Roller Dome. I think I was ten or maybe eleven. Growing up on the Southwest side of Fort Wayne, the Roller Dome was like "the" place to go on Fridays and Saturdays. So many times, my sister and I would stand outside, in the freezing weather, waiting in line, just to get in. There was always a crowd. ALWAYS.The picture above - well - if that's really what it looks like today (from the outside), then it hasn't changed a bit! Just inside the door was a lobby area where you would stand in line to pay admittance. Gosh - $1.25 sounds right - but I could be wrong on that one. It seemed like forever to get up front and pay Read more:Roller
Introduction 2007-12-30 19:36:44 taps microphone Is this thing on?My name is Kristina Frazier-Henry and I used to be a resident of Fort Wayne, Indiana. I now live in a suburb of Indianapolis and my trips back to the Fort aren't as frequent as they could be.I had some time off over the holidays and while surfing the net, I came across several older photographs of Fort Wayne (hereinto known as FW cause it's shorter to type). Looking at these photographs reminded me of my childhood and I had this uncontrollable urge to start writing about things.And so that's why I'm here at the moment. One photograph at a time, I'm going to reflect back on a specific memory. I don't plan on going in any certain order. Things will just be random. Sort of like I am in my everyday life.I guess you can say - document it for all those grand Read more:Introduction
First Grade - Indian Village Elementary School 2008-03-13 16:07:06 Say hello to my first grade class from Indian VillageElementarySchool
. The year (according to the picture) is 1973 and Mrs. Marci Lawson is the inspirational teacher - keeping us all in check.We were located in Room 19 (yes I know - scary that I remember this).Our desks were simple, in a complicated way. They weren't the fancy ones that opened up on top. Oh no! They were the kind that opened up to your waist area.Many things could get lost (and subsequently - GROW) in this area. Emptying these types of desks out at the end of the year was always an anxiety-filled moment because one never knew what people like Brian Blazer and Ralph Barva would pull out of the nooks and cranies of these wooden hothouses.ANYWAYIf you attended Fort Wayne Community Schools (the elementary ones) in the early Read more:First
, Grade
The New Mickey Mouse Club - 1977 2008-03-17 04:46:00 My mother grew up with the Original MickeyMouse
Club and in 1977, Disney decided it would be a good idea to have a version of this show for the kids of those kids.After holding a lengthy audition process, they selected a dozen or so kids who were not only talented, but also represented the diverse background of the intended audience.If my memory is holding up - I *think* that WKJG carried this on their line-up (channel 33).The most recognizable kid from this year long Mickey Mouse
Club was Lisa Whelchel. She went on to the popular sitcom, Facts of Life, and then later, became wife/mother/author who wrote/spoke about the influence of religion in her life.My favorite mousekateers were Julie, Kelly and Todd (he was a cutie!). I found this clip on Youtube - hope you enjoy the memories!
David Parmer Swinehart 2008-03-16 04:00:24 I started out as a music major in college.I wandered around, stopped attending classes (nothing I would recommend - as it constitutes a "flunking out" black hole on your transcript), sat out, enrolled elsewhere, and came back to where I started - IPFW.When I came back - heck - I didn't know what I wanted to do. I just knew that I needed to get a degree. Also, I wanted to take courses that would not bore me to death. After all, interest was key for me and that attend-your-class- thing.After inhaling the "bulletin", one of the classes I settled on was an Introduction to Supervision. Boss people around...CHECK! That's something I was interested in :).My professor was David
P. Swinehart.Now Swinehart - he wasn't outgoing and vivacious. He wasn't loud and obnoxious. He wasn't flashy.What he was
Remembering Mike, The Talking Bike 2008-03-24 23:31:25 Thanks to Beth for reminding me of this little diddy.Beth, yes - I do remember Mike, the Talking
Bike. A quick search on google yielded some good memories.Personally, I could never look at my light green, banana-seated, floral-basket hangin' Schwinn bicycle the same way again.I wanted to know - HOW COULD I GET ONE OF THESE?!BTW - If someone from the Fort Wayne Police Department has pictures or more info on what happened to our "Mikes" (the good Schwinns who visited us within the walls of FWCS in the early 70's) - at least a handful of us would like to know :).This ought to scare the bee-jeebers out of some of you - Windows Media File for Mike The Talking Bike Read more:Remembering
Mr. Yuk! Fer Real 2008-03-24 11:40:31 Alright. I can't help myself. YouTube can be somewhat addictive and here's some more proof of that.Back story:Every year in elementary school, we always had a handful of 'guests' come out and visit us for some unique purpose. One group who visited us (was it EMS? was it a group from one of the three hospitals?) went over the importance of staying away from harmful, household-related items.Remember Mr. Yuk? Goodness. How could you forget him?He was the poster child for all things POISONous in your household. When this group came to visit, they'd bring along the movie (8 mm film in the canister), along with lots of warnings and merchandise (in the form of green, ugly Mr. Yuk stickers) to boot.My sister and I would race home that day and label as many things Mr. Yuk as possible. This includ
Historic Photos of Fort Wayne 2008-03-31 02:11:28 A few months ago, I located a book that was very near and dear to me - John Ankenbruck's 1975 Twentieth Century History of Fort Wayne
. When these limited edition books came out, my mother had purchased a handful of them for people like my grandparents and her sisters.Sadly, our own copy was lost in that fire I just referred to in my last post. I never thought I would locate another copy. Thank gawd for eBay. Thank gawd for greedy re-sellers :).P.S. I'd like to thank Judge Jackson for my Ankenbruck book - it was given to him (as inscribed on the inside cover) by Charlie Pratt, Christmas 1975.What I loved so much about Ankenbruck's book, was the massive amounts of details about how Fort Wayne evolved from the beginning of time. In between the oodles of details, were informative pictures of o
So I'm a little left of center ... 2008-03-30 23:47:10 Today's BLOG title is brought to you by a song by one of my favorite artists - Michelle Branch (You Get Me).SOI came to my blog tonight to tell you about a book by Scott Bushnell - Historic Photos of Fort Wayne. I was a bit overwhelmed in where to begin. So before I go there...Let me just lay it out here.I admit to not being understood (generically).Many people don't "get" why I have such love for my childhood city and they are baffled by my fascination with history. I'll offer some insight which may or may not help.History didn't mean anything to me until I was 18 years old. That's when every single possession of mine - photographs, baby book, baby booties, dance outfits, class pictures, drawings, toys, letters - was lost in a fire.In particular, I had one special box (I put it together r Read more:little
PART 1 - Indian Village Elementary School - 4th Grade 2008-04-02 22:14:34 Alrighty. It's time for another class picture. Feast your eyes on a group of pre-hormonal Hoosier kiddies. I'll tell you a little bit more about fourth grade - and in particular - the people who were a part of this class...tomorrow.Row 1: Tony Lude, Tom StinsonRow 2: Cathy Caldwell, Errol Stech, Janice Smith, Brian Rice, Skip ShockRow 3: Tom Elston, Kelly Miller, Melanie Davis, Ralph Barva, Shonee Bobilya, Lori SchmidtRow 4: Glen McCormick, David White (?), Joyce Lloyd, Billy ? , Mike SharpRow 5: Tim Bush, Kelli Biddle, Brian Blazer, Shelly Vasquez, Beth FruechtenichtRow 6: Rodney Rider, Kristina Frazier, Danny Gould, Lewis MastinRow 7: Kim Spore, Robert Stone, Belinda Flotow Read more:Village
, Elementary
, School
, Grade
Grade School in Indiana??? We're Looking For Pictures 2008-04-02 01:54:53 Attention all Hoosiers.We're looking for pictures of you and your class from elementary school.Elementary School
.* Before you looked too geeky.* Before you had braces.* Before you cared about what you wore (i.e. your mother dressed you).Pull 'em out.Scan 'em in.Post them here.In addition, if you know anyone who attended St. Therese Catholic School in Fort Wayne, they are rallying the alumni troops - and are working on an alumni directory. Read more:Grade
, Indiana
, Pictures
Two Hours Later - Frustration Sits In 2008-04-01 23:53:34 So, I was trying to pull a past aerial photo of the Fort Wayne Drive-In (also referred to as Bluffton Road Drive-In at some point). Retrieved the address - verified it with a couple of sites that keep track of defunct movie drive-in's, and ta-dah!Nothing.Either I'm looking at the wrong maps or the drive in was a figment of many imaginations.If anyone has any better luck locating it, let me know :).Ft. Wayne Drive-In Theater5800 Bluffton RoadFt. Wayne, IN 46809Here's the map resource I used: clicked on all years - 1938, 1957, 1964, and 1972. Read more:Hours
, Frustration
4th Grade, Indian Village Elementary - Mrs. Crowley 2008-04-05 01:22:39 I told you earlier that 4th grade was an important time for me. Here is the first of many recollections re: that period of time in my life.In 1976, I was nine years old and entering the fourth grade. I had attended Indian VillageElementary
school since kindergarten and had felt pretty comfortable in my surroundings, although - and I know you'll find this hard to believe - I was an extremely introverted child. I had fantastic teachers for K-3rd and for fourth grade, I was looking forward to having Mrs. Mitchell. She was an older woman who ran a very strict classroom setting but I heard, she was the best.Imagine my surprise when two days before school, we stopped by to pick up my books, and found out that my teacher wouldn't be Mrs. Mitchell. It was to be a new teacher, Mrs. Crowley. I Read more:Grade
Continuing Everett White's, "You Know You Are From Fort Wayne When" 2008-04-04 22:58:57 Everett White
- love his list. I started adding my own as a comment and it became too large! Read his list. Add to it.Here's my additions!1) You auditioned for Tony Randall when he was in town.2) You remember shopping at Mr. Wigg's and then Heck's.3) You remember Glenbrook without the Glenbrook Commons addition.4) You remember shopping at Ayr-way.5) You looked forward to the Arch-way factory tour and the cookies you got afterwards.6) You looked forward to the Key III candies factory tour and the candy you got afterwards.7) You shopped at Dolly Madison's on Bluffton road and didn't care if the snack cakes were expired - they STILL tasted fantastic!8) You loved eating subs at KMart.9) You remember the blue light - not just the blue light specials - at KMart.10) Grade school was K-thru 6 (I t Read more:Wayne
Designer/Project Architect of Southtown Mall Needs Your Help 2008-04-03 17:43:59 Hello Everyone,If you could get the word out, I'd appreciate it. I have already sent to him, the pictures online from the library. IMPORTANT: He is looking for pictures of happier times - not those that show the place, right before demolition (which is all that I seem to be able to find myself online).______________________________________Hello,I was the designer and project architect for Southtown Mall while I was working for Daverman Assoc. in Grand Rapids, MI in the 1960's. The developer was Melvin Simon & Assoc. I had the unhappy experience of stopping by the Mall in September 2001 and seeing it pretty much abandoned. If you have any photos of the mall, especially the center court or the exterior please email them to me.Robert Amor______________________________________Here's his Read more:Designer
, Project
, Architect
, Needs
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