Fort Wayne Old City Hall Building

Fort Wayne Old City Hall is a government building with brown sandstone walls located at the intersection of Barr and Berry Streets, displaying Richardsonian Romanesque architectural features. The interior contains exhibition spaces, preserved jail cells, and original administrative chambers from the late 1800s.

Built in 1893, this structure served as the city's administrative center until 1971, when it became home to the Allen County Historical Society. This transition preserved the building and transformed it into a keeper of the region's stories.

This building marks where Fort Wayne's leadership made decisions that shaped the city and region for generations. Today it serves as a gathering place where residents connect with their shared past.

Start your visit from the upper floors and work your way down, as the staircases and room layouts flow naturally this way. Comfortable shoes are helpful when exploring the preserved cells and lower levels where the terrain can feel steep.

A hexagonal tower crowned with a checkerboard pattern of contrasting sandstone tones rises above the structure and catches the eye immediately. This geometric feature sets it apart from other city halls of its era.