Fort Wayne, Indiana

1794Fort Wayne Established: General Anthony Wayne built the fort after the Battle of Fallen Timbers, establishing American control over the strategic three-river confluence that had been a center of Miami tribal civilization.

1832Wabash and Erie Canal Arrives: The canal connected Fort Wayne to Lake Erie and eventually the Ohio River, making it a major trading post and triggering rapid population growth.

2020Riverfront Transformation: Riverfront Fort Wayne opened, transforming neglected riverfront into promenades, parks, and an amphitheater, revitalizing the city's connection to its three rivers.

1920Manufacturing Peak: Fort Wayne became a major manufacturing center producing General Electric motors, International Harvester trucks, Lincoln Life insurance, and other products.

1840Miami Tribe Removal: The forced removal of the Miami people from their ancestral homeland around Fort Wayne was one of the most devastating chapters in Indiana's history.

1856Railroad Hub: Multiple railroads converged on Fort Wayne, replacing the canal and establishing the city as a major freight hub connecting the East Coast to Chicago.

1982Manufacturing Decline: Factory closures and downsizing hit Fort Wayne hard as the Rust Belt deindustrialized, forcing the city to diversify its economy.

1952Fort Wayne Komets Founded: The Komets minor league hockey team became one of the most successful and beloved franchises in minor league sports history.

2008Defense Industry Growth: Fort Wayne's economy diversified around defense contractors including BAE Systems, Raytheon, and General Dynamics, leveraging proximity to military installations.

1913Great Flood: A devastating flood inundated much of Fort Wayne, leading to permanent flood control infrastructure along the three rivers.