ARCH, Inc.

10/07/2026

HERITAGE ABCs: H is for Holter’s Roost!

Located at 6623 Old Maumee Road, Holter’s Roost was built around 1915 and designed by architect Henry Meyer. With its many rooflines and extensive use of fieldstone, the home has a distinctive, almost castle-like appearance.

Even more interesting? The fieldstone used to build the home came from the Maumee River, which runs along the back of the property. The name “Holter’s Roost” can even be found embedded directly into the stonework.
The home was named for William Holterman, who turned his interest in chickens into a successful chicken and chicken feed empire. At one point, Holterman owned 50 acres surrounding the home along the historic Lincoln Highway, with several farm buildings and enough land for his children to build homes of their own.

Today, this one-of-a-kind property remains a fascinating example of Fort Wayne-area history and a reminder that some of our most interesting historic places have equally interesting stories behind them!

Learn more about Holter’s Roost at archfw.org

10/01/2026

Got old windows? Learn how to give them new life! Join ARCH, Inc. and Indiana Landmarks for a hands-on Wood Window Restoration & Repair Workshop on October 21!

Expert window restorers Matt Reibs of Glass Eye Restoration and Todd Zeiger of Indiana Landmarks will walk participants through the basics of traditional wood double-hung windows such as how they’re constructed, common problems you might encounter, and practical tips for repair and weatherization.

Window mockups and tools will be available so attendees can get a closer look and hands-on experience.

**No prior knowledge or experience is needed!**

October 21
Choose from Noon or 7 p.m.
Approximately 1.5 hours
The venue is accessible to all.

Tickets:
$25 – General Public
$20 – Indiana Landmarks Members
$10 – Students (CTE high school, college or vocational school)

This workshop is part of a series presented by **Indiana Landmarks and ARCH, Inc.** designed to give historic homeowners practical DIY knowledge while helping contractors build in-demand skills for repairing and maintaining historic buildings.

Whether you own a historic home, work in the trades or simply want to learn more about preserving older buildings, we’d love to have you join us!

Questions? Contact [email protected]

09/25/2026

HERITAGE ABCs: G is for the Greyhound Bus Station!

Once located at 223 West Jefferson Boulevard, Fort Wayne’s Greyhound Bus Station was built around 1938 and was a striking example of Art Moderne and Streamline architecture.

Designed by architect William S. Arrasmith, the station had a sleek, aerodynamic appearance with horizontal lines, sections of glass block windows and Greyhound’s signature dark blue color. Arrasmith even used the same blue glass in many of the Greyhound stations he designed across the country.

One of the building’s most memorable features was its neon sign topped with a running Greyhound — making the blue station an unmistakable part of downtown Fort Wayne. 🐕💙

Unfortunately, the station was demolished in 1992. Years later, the property became part of what is now Parkview Field. While the building is gone, its story is a reminder of why documenting and preserving our community’s architectural history matters. (ARCH Fort Wayne)

Follow along as we continue through ARCH’s Built Heritage ABCs!

09/18/2026

09/14/2026

HERITAGE ABCs: F is for the Ninde-Mead-Farnsworth House!

Located at 734 East State Boulevard, the Ninde-Mead-Farnsworth House was built around 1910 and blends elements of the Colonial Revival and Craftsman styles. Its distinctive features include shed-roof dormers, wide overhanging eaves and a pedimented entrance with multi-paned sidelights and a fanlight.

But the people who called this house home make its history especially interesting!

Its first resident, Daniel B. Ninde, served as the attorney for the incorporation of Lincoln National Life Insurance Company and was associated with Fort Wayne’s Wildwood Builders Company.

Beginning in 1913, Franklin B. Mead and his wife, Georgiana, lived in the home. In addition to his work with Lincoln, Mead cultivated nationally recognized iris collections and originated the “Hyperion” daylily hybrid.

Perhaps its most famous resident was Philo Farnsworth, a pioneer of all-electronic television. Farnsworth lived in the home from 1948 to 1967 while his groundbreaking work helped make Fort Wayne part of television history.

One house, three fascinating connections to Fort Wayne’s history!

Follow along as we make our way through ARCH’s Built Heritage ABCs!

09/10/2026

The West Central Home & Garden Tour is a chance to step inside some of Fort Wayne’s beautiful historic properties — including four homes that have previously been recognized by ARCH!

✨ 816 Jackson St. — 2015 ARCH Commendation
✨ 1020 Jackson St. — 2021 ARCH Commendation
✨ 1024 W. Wayne St. — 2018 ARCHie Award
✨ 1112 W. Berry St. — 2019 ARCH Commendation

These homes are wonderful examples of the care and investment that help preserve the character of our historic neighborhoods. Now you have the chance to see them for yourself!

The West Central Home & Garden Tour takes place September 12 & 13 from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Come explore the neighborhood, admire its historic architecture and get a rare look inside some of the places ARCH has celebrated over the years. 🏠✨

09/04/2026

Step inside some of Fort Wayne’s historic treasures! The 44th Annual West Central Neighborhood Home & Garden Tour is coming up September 12 & 13! Spend the weekend exploring the beautiful architecture, unique interiors and gardens that make the West Central neighborhood such a special part of our community.

This year’s tour features 10 historic properties, including seven home interiors, an apartment, a church and several gardens. Visitors can also enjoy free trolley rides throughout the neighborhood, ArtsFest, local artists, food trucks, live music and more.

Saturday, September 12 & Sunday, September 13
11 a.m.–5 p.m. both days
Tickets are $18 in advance or $20 at the door. Children 12 and under are free.

Events like this are a wonderful opportunity to experience historic preservation up close and see how these special places continue to be lived in, loved and cared for today.

Learn more and purchase tickets through the West Central Neighborhood Association!

09/02/2026

Today, ARCH officially became the owner of four historic properties at 1902, 1908, and 1912 S. Calhoun Street and 121 W. Masterson Street, thanks to the incredible generosity of a sponsor who donated the buildings to ARCH.

Built in the 1880s, these buildings have seen nearly 150 years of Fort Wayne history. Over the decades, they’ve housed businesses like Rainbow Ice Cream, countless residents, and even a second-floor speakeasy.

ARCH plans to restore these historic buildings, once again bringing businesses to the first-floor storefronts and residences to the upper floors. Our successful rehabilitation of the 1000 Block of Broadway will serve as the blueprint for this multi-million-dollar project.

What you see today is just the beginning. These buildings have a long road of restoration ahead, and we’re excited to share their transformation with you along the way.

Our goal is to see these historic buildings once again become an anchor for the Calhoun Street corridor and the Hoagland-Masterson neighborhood — while preserving the stories they’ve carried for nearly 150 years.

Stay tuned. There’s much more to come! 🔨🏢💙

08/27/2026

Love where you live? Help preserve it.

The historic buildings, neighborhoods and landmarks around us are part of what makes Fort Wayne feel like home.

This photo of ice skaters at Lakeside Park is a reminder that the places we know today have been part of our community’s memories for generations.

When you give to ARCH, you’re helping protect the places that tell our story and supporting the work that keeps local history alive for generations to come.

Preservation takes all of us. 💙

Give where you live. Support ARCH today at archfw.org!

08/18/2026

ARCH’s story can be traced back to the restoration of the historic Canal House!

In 1976, the Canal House restoration was selected as an official project of Fort Wayne’s Bicentennial Committee. As community support and donations for the project grew, it became clear that there was a real interest in preserving Fort Wayne’s historic places.

That support eventually led to the creation of ARCH, Inc., founded by local residents who wanted to protect and celebrate our community’s history.

Under ARCH’s first Executive Director, Karen Anderson, that work continued to grow and nearly 50 years later, our mission remains the same:

“ARCH celebrates, protects, and preserves architecture and community heritage in Allen County and Northeast Indiana.”

Thank you to everyone who has supported ARCH and historic preservation over the years!