Fort Wayne is ready for a permanent central market area. It is evident that Fort Wayne is continually and rapidly growing. Having this market will add to the areas quality of life and reflect the interest of the community.
“Great cities have great public markets.....”
“Electric Works: The need for a centralized market is as important today as it was in 1837. We expect that it will continue to grow and be home to a multi day market. ”
Original Barr Street City Market, is now a City parking lot where this building stood . SE corner of Wayne and Barr St. The lot was being used by the Ft. Wayne’s Farmers Market, but they have now moved to McCulloch Park.
Inside the Barr Market in 1957
The downtown summer market was started in 1837.
By 1855, the market was flourishing 6 days a week and in 1910 a concrete covered market complex was built. This classical revival structure served as the open market’s building till 1966.
Photos credit Arch and the History Center
McCulloch Park
was acquired from Hugh McCulloch, who gave this site to the City in 1884. As a park that is more than 100 years old, a Legacy Park status has been included on the new sign by the Parks & Recreation Department.
Hugh McCulloch, (born Dec. 7, 1808, Kennebunk, Maine, U.S.—died May 24, 1895,)
Having taught school and studied law in Boston, McCulloch moved in 1833 to Fort Wayne, Ind., where he practiced law. He was secretary of the treasury under Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson,. He again served briefly as secretary of the Treasury under President Chester A. Arthur (October 1884–March 1885).
Formerly known as G.E. Park in the 1900's and renamed McCulloch. It is four acres of green space on Broadway Street.
The park features a large framed brick gazebo as it's center focus with Radial path system (see birds eye view picture) The gazebo was used for band concerts in the 1920s & 1930's. The park has a playground, featuring a swing set, a children's merry go-round, and slide installed in 2009
The memorial grave site of Indiana's seventh governor, Samuel Bigger. is buried at the North edge of the property. GE paid to have the polished granite memorial stone and wrought iron fence to be installed. The bridge on Lafayette street is named after him.
Ft. Wayne’s Farmers Market was organized in August of 2012 by Leigh Rowan, what was to come the first continuously operating market in Fort Wayne. She is the owner of Big Brick House Bakery & Pasta. She was able to subsides her business by doing several markets during the summer of 2012. During that summer she developed relationships with several other small businesses and vendors. When the conversation turned to the end of summer markets and still having product to offer. She worked with several farmers and they agreed to try to grow for 1 market a month. With that conversation, her mission was to make it happen, little did she know that she was laying the groundwork that several had tried to achieve, but were never successful. In 6 weeks, the market opened in Oct 2012. She has always been thankful that her friends, the original vendors, followed her blindly into the unknown, the trust and faith they demonstrated continues to touched her heart.
March 2013
January 2020
Summer 2020
Opened Oct. 2012 one day a month, the town was clamoring for it to be more than 1 day a month. But the farmers needed time to learn and perfect their growing techniques.
June 2013, Expanded to include a summer component at 301 E Wayne St. currently a city parking lot, but the footprint of the original market (pictured left)
Oct 2013, operated 2 days a month, 1st and 3rd Saturday. After the first year the farmers became comfortable and were sure that they could grow produce alternate weeks.
June 2015, The new market master was moved up from a volunteer position. She took hold & grew and expanded the market into the Barr Street between Wayne and Washington St.
Oct 2016, After we consulted the farm vendors and their growing capabilities, she opted to increase the market to weekly with great success.
May 2020, As many farm markets experienced this interesting challenge in operations. Operational decisions had to be made and instant reaction was important. The summer location required a decision and management felt it was to large of a decision for them and it had to be made by the vendors. They voted and the market team made it happen, the temporary home was implemented. Parkview Field became our new summer home. The vendors, with the public’s input decided to stay at for the duration of the season while half way through the season.
March 2021 - Announced we have secured a permanent home in the newly renovated General Electric property, renamed Electric Works.
May 15th 2021 - Moved the summer market to the 4 acre McCulloch Park, it is a really exciting and we will have a 3 acre parking lot dedicated to our customers. The move allows us to grow and to keep pace with our past years of growth. We are excited to be able to support all of the entrepreneurs that are popping up in our region.
June 16th 2021 - We are excited to start a second market day and to extend the accessibility to fresh food on a Wednesday evening.
Oct 2022, We’ll be celebrating our 10 year anniversary and moving into Electric Works
Oct 2024, Official start in our permanent location at Electric Works
Birds eye view
Grab a bite to eat, relax, listen to music and watch the kids play.