Historic Old Fort restoration progresses toward summer celebration

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) - One of the final phases of reconstruction of the historic Old Fort off Spy Run Avenue downtown is underway, with crews working to complete the majority of the $2 million project before the Fourth of July.

The Old Fort, a recreation of the fort that stood in the area in the early 1800s, was built 50 years ago. It is a copy of the post built by American troops under the command of Major John Whistler in 1815. It was reconstructed on a plot of ground less than a quarter of a mile from the original site.

The enlisted barracks, where visitors might have stayed growing up, has now been taken down as part of the latest phase. Only the chimneys remain.

Restoration progress

Historic Fort Wayne Treasurer Tom Grant said the restoration work includes several completed buildings and ongoing projects funded entirely by donations and grants.

“So far we’ve rebuilt the Spy Run Blockhouse, the Doctor’s Quarters, the Commander’s Building and the building behind me ... is the Junior Officer’s Quarters,” Grant said.

“Every dollar that we raise, every donation that we get, every cookie that we sell at the bake sale, all those funds benefit The Fort, and The Fort is the property of Parks and Recreation,” Grant said. “So whatever accrues to Parks and Rec accrues to the city of Fort Wayne, which benefits all the citizens.”

Rebuilding the enlisted barracks is one of the final phases of the project. It is the biggest building on the site and carries an $860,000 price tag to rebuild and restore. Grant said they’ve raised $630,000 of that so far.

When it’s complete, they hope to host youth groups overnight again.

“We had to stop doing that several years ago because the building started to get to the point where it was basically getting unsafe for children,” Grant said. “So we’re hoping to, you know, rekindle that kind of an opportunity.”

Volunteer effort

All of the work to restore the inside of the buildings is completed by volunteers.

“I can’t tell you how many thousands of hours we’ve got invested in just volunteer labor and whitewashing the inside, building partitions, and wiring the electrical,” Grant said.

He says many local businesses have donated time and equipment to make this happen.

For Grant, this is a passion project. He’s doing it for the city and for his wife Karen, who convinced him to get involved more than two decades ago.

“She passed away two years ago. It’ll be two years in April,” Grant said. “And she made me promise that I wouldn’t bail on the fort until I had this done.”

Grant said the project is an important investment for the community.

“It’s the city’s namesake number one. It’s the original riverfront attraction,” Grant said. “And with all the emphasis on the riverfront, this is just a jewel for the Fort Wayne and the community.”

Grant says this latest phase of the project will be complete by a dedication on the Fourth of July, 95 days away. That’s when they’ll celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Old Fort and America’s 250th birthday.

“Amen, but we’re going to get it done,” Grant said.