Then vs. Now: Historical Listings, Pt. 2

We have another round-up of our social media series, Fun Fact Friday!

Every building has a story, and we love sharing those stories with you.

Research is done on each commercial property we list to uncover any fascinating backstories or historical significance. Sometimes, we just can't keep those interesting facts and photos to ourselves! 

The goal of sharing these forgotten memories is to resurrect a part of our area's forgotten history while educating any potential new tenants or buyers about the buildings' past.

While sharing our findings on social media, the community has not only helped in the research but engaged in sharing some nostalgic memories of their own. For this, we thank you. We'd also like to thank the Allen County Public Library, The Indiana Album, The History Center, and many others for supplying photos and research information.

Yacht Club Sign at the Former Belmont Beverage on S Calhoun Street

Does this sign look familiar? It's been lighting up Calhoun Street for over 50 years!

The Belmont Beverage building was built over 100 years ago in 1920 and was purchased by the Fort Wayne Yacht Club in 1972. Later that year, the space became the Yacht Club Beverage Mart, which the sign previously displayed.

Belmont Beverage bought the Yacht Club Beverage Mart in the mid-80s, and the sign was edited to read "Belmont Beverage" instead of "Beverage Mart." Many locals recall purchasing libations at this corner market.

The sign can also be seen in the movie "Night of Evil" released in 1962 featuring Lisa Gaye and William Campbell. The couple talks of stopping at a liquor store for some champagne to celebrate their spontaneous decision to get married, but it turns out he is going to rob the liquor store instead! While not an Oscar-worthy movie, the buzz of filming a movie in Fort Wayne caused some excitement for residents.

This Belmont Beverage location closed down in October 2022 and the property was sold in January 2023. While a significant part of this location's history, the sign itself was not part of the sale. Belmont Beverage took the sign down with hopes of restoring it and potentially displaying it in a new location.

Keep your eyes peeled for new developments at the corner of S Calhoun and Esmond!

(Listing is no longer available.)

Milligan Building and Former Silver Moon Café in Downtown Huntington, Indiana

Erected in 1883, the Milligan Building, named after its constructor Lambdin P Milligan, is a beautiful three-story Italianate red brick building just across from the Huntington County Courthouse in downtown Huntington, Indiana.

When the building was first commissioned, Milligan was known for his extreme political opinions and his opposition to the Lincoln administration's conduct of the American Civil War. Despite being tried for treason in the 1860s, he had a successful law practice which was eventually housed on the second floor of this building. Occupants of "The Windsor Inn" surrounded is law firm on the remaining second and third floors. The "Silver Moon Sample Room" occupied the ground floor and was run by Milligan's son and daughter-in-law. They sold a variety of liquor, wine, and other products to locals and railway passengers which the building still neighbors.

Throughout the next century, it has been home to a variety of saloons, cafes, and restaurants, with other businesses and apartments on the upper floors. Most notably, the Milligan Building has been home to not one, not two, but three iterations of the Silver Moon spanning from 1885 to 2023. 

This building was under threat of being torn down in the 1980s but was purchased by a local couple to carry on the Silver Moon tradition. Now, it's time to pass the torch to a new owner as it's currently for sale.

It is said that the building, its history, and its connection to the Civil War case and ruling, Ex parte Milligan 71 U.S. 2 of 1866, are vital pieces of history to not only Huntington but to Indiana and the United States. Frankly, we love the beauty of the building and its long-standing purpose of serving the community.

(Listing is no longer available.)

Miller Block and Former Antiques on Broadway in Downtown Fort Wayne

This building on Broadway Street was built in 1915 by Christian Miller, a sheet metal worker originally from Huntington. Christian owned and operated C. Miller and Sons, a mechanical repair and construction company. He operated a tin & roofing company out of the basement of the building and a hardware store on the ground level while also living in the apartments upstairs.

In the 60s, the Miller family shut down operations at this Broadway location to focus on the roofing sector of their business, known today as CMS Roofing.

After the Miller family moved out, an upstairs apartment tenant started showcasing emerging artists' work known as "Linker's Gallery" in 1976. Today, that little community gallery is known as Artlink and has relocated to the Arts Campus on Main Street. Artlink continues to empower artists and encourage creative expression throughout Northeast Indiana.

Residents also remember the building transitioning from the hardware store to boutique shops, convenience stores, galleries, and finally the popular Antiques on Broadway right next to The Brass Rail.

Antiques on Broadway was open for 20 years and closed in 2022 allowing new life to be brought to the Broadway Corridor. The street-level commercial space was leased in March 2024 to a gallery and framing company.

Broadway has traditionally been a busy artery through Fort Wayne, with commercial uses lining the street from Downtown Lutheran Hospital to newly developed Electric Works.

Located within the West Central National Historic Register boundary, the Broadway Corridor continues to thrive with unique businesses, like Fancy & Staple, The Hedge, & Davey's Delicious Bagels, and events like the Broadway Street Stroll. We look forward to welcoming the new Gallery 02 to the area!

With its bright murals and brick-paved residential streets, the historical significance of the neighborhood is preserved through modern interpretations and upkeep.

(Listing is no longer available.)

Olde East End and Former American Fork & Hoe Factory on East Berry Street

We're back at Olde East End on East Berry Street but on the opposite side of the building from the classic Bunn Bar billboard. 

Olde East End was built in 1905 for the National Handle Co, which was established in 1899 to produce large quantities of wooden handles and was managed by the curious Charles H Windt. While holding this important position, Windt was chosen as assistant secretary of the National Handle Co, which was the largest manufacturer of handles in the world at the time. He was also the auditor and traffic manager of the division of the various plants north of the Ohio River.

By the time the roaring '20s rolled around, the National Handle Co was acquired by American Fork & Hoe, which produced everything from handheld garden tools to sporting goods and fishing equipment. They even helped to produce military tools like bayonets during the World Wars.

This Cleveland-based company had several locations throughout the Midwest, and Fort Wayne made for an optimal factory location due to the nearby railroads and waterways.

American Fork & Hoe produced tools under other well-known brand names of the time, such as Kelly Axe & Tool Co. and True Temper. They held several facilities across the Midwest until 1949, which was about the same time Wayne Candies started to move into Olde East End. 

You can continue the legacy of this impressive building by leasing space or stopping by for a visit! The YLNI Farmers Market is held here on Saturdays from October through April. You can also visit neighbors like East End Eclectic, Misfit Market on Saturdays, and Hair Candy.

(Listing is no longer available.)

202 Metro at the Northwest Corner of Berry and Harrison in Downtown Fort Wayne

While the building in the historic photo is not the same as the current building on this corner, the history of this block in downtown Fort Wayne is still intriguing!

The original building that covered the northwest block of West Berry and South Harrison was built in the 1880s. The three-story building was a mixed-use commercial and office building and housed many tenants during its tenure, from drug stores and soda shops to law firms and taverns. At one point, Fort Wayne-founded Meyer Drug Company had a storefront here, along with several other locations throughout Indiana in the 20s and 30s.

The original building burned down in 1967 resulting in a loss of $150,000 and the closing of the iconic Red Garter Cocktail Lounge, which you can see in the historic photo. A new building was promptly built in its place, but it was short-lived and torn down. The freshly built 202 Metro building, which was completed in 1975, still stands on this block to this day. Since the 70s, 202 Metro has housed law firms, CPAs, banks, and other small office users. 

This building underwent a $25 million renovation in 2018 and 2019 to become a first-class mixed-use tower of street-level restaurants and retail, modern office spaces, and two floors of luxury condos. Improvements also included a complete overhaul of the building's infrastructure, including mechanical systems, elevators, windows, roof, and streetscape, which was all completed in partnership with our affiliate, Sturges Development.

Our beautiful building is currently home to GK Cafe & Provisions, our Sturges brokerage offices, our affiliates Nexus Technology Partners and TI Source Project Management, GreenWay Bank, Katz, Sapper & Miller, and Pizza Hut operations offices, among many others.

(Historic image credit: Indiana Album and The Johnson Brothers Sign Company Collection)

Former Wells Theatre (Palace Theatre) in Fort Wayne's Historic Wells Street Corridor

This building was built in 1900 and was originally home to the Palace Theatre. The Palace Theatre was renamed to the Wells Theatre in 1917 and its heyday was seen throughout the 50s.

In 1951, going to a show only cost fourteen CENTS to get in! Not bad! The theatre became known as a "cheap babysitter" in the neighborhood. Parents would hand their kids some change and send them to the movies for the day. A lot of the time, the only adults found in the theatre were the workers.

The theatre also became a hot spot for teenagers to hang out or take a date. You could cuddle up to your girlfriend or boyfriend in the air conditioning and watch a movie like "The Blob" or "The Creature From the Black Lagoon." The occasional concert or sock hop was also held here, as well as church services on Sundays.

The Wells Theatre was so popular that booklets of movie tickets were a prize on a local TV show called "Dance Date," Fort Wayne's version of "American Bandstand."

After the theatre closed, locals remember the building as a rehearsal space for bands. The sloped floor was leveled off and the theatre was partitioned into small rooms for musicians to practice their skills.

This era is now in the past but the building lives on! It's now being used as warehouse and office space, and could be the space for you and your business!

If you're looking for a building with a lot of beautiful history in the famous Wells Street Corridor, click the link below to learn more.

(Historic image credit: "The Best of Fort Wayne: Volume 2" by George R. Mather, page 105)

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