E. Ross Adair Federal Building and United States Courthouse

The E. Ross Adair Federal Building is a gray limestone structure designed in Art Deco style, featuring a granite base with decorative columns displaying leaf and eagle patterns across the facade. Inside, the space combines contrasting marble floors in the entry area with courtrooms adorned with dark green marble details and ornate ceiling designs.

Construction began in 1931 following the Public Buildings Act of 1926, which provided funding for federal facilities across the country. The building emerged during an era when the federal government was expanding its presence in major regional cities.

This federal complex served as a seat of government authority in the region and reflects Fort Wayne's importance as an administrative center. The interior materials and formal design choices were meant to convey stability and official power to visitors and those conducting business here.

The building is open on weekdays and serves as a working courthouse and federal office, so visitors should be prepared for security screening upon entry. The granite plaza outside with its steps and stone seating provides a comfortable space to wait or admire the architectural details from the exterior.

The granite plaza outside features carved stone benches decorated with zodiac signs, bringing an unexpected astrological element to the design of this official government building. This detail mixes the formal Art Deco aesthetic with a whimsical symbolic reference that surprises many visitors.