February 15, 2015 post by The Waynedale News on Facebook:
Waynedale is founded on this day!
It was on this day, February 15, 1921 that Abner Elzey made his purchase-Waynedale. Waynedale represented the dream of Elzey for a community in which anyone could build and raise a family.
The original boundary of Waynedale was McArthur Drive on the south, Old Trail Road on the east, Lower Huntington Road on the north and Beaty Avenue on the west. The only residence was the Cunnison farm. This was located where Umber's Do It Best is today.
🥳 Waynedale Celebrates 103 Years Today! For some, Waynedale is a place where they live, for others, it’s a place to...
Posted by The Waynedale News on Thursday, February 15, 2024February 15, 2024 post by The Waynedale News on Facebook:
Waynedale Celebrates 103 Years Today!
For some, Waynedale is a place where they live, for others, it’s a place to work. However, most people you ask who know the community will say it’s definitely a very special place to be, not like any other part of Fort Wayne. And, its a unique oddity that when you ask someone from here where you live, it's always "Waynedale" and not Fort Wayne, like those in other communities might respond. As we celebrate the area’s 103rd Anniversary, it’s a great time to look around and truly appreciate the many people, organizations, and businesses that make the community absolutely wonderful!
Nestled outside the “big city” of Fort Wayne, Waynedale was once an unincorporated town founded in 1921 by Abner Elzey. Since then, it was absorbed into Fort Wayne’s growing infrastructure. Interestingly, the most unique thing about the community is that it has still maintained the “Waynedale” name 65 years after the town was annexed into Fort Wayne in 1957.
Naming the community was difficult. At first, Elzey had intended to name the community after his only daughter, Ilo, but this idea was dropped. And since those living in this area spoke of Fort Wayne as “Wayne,” he chose that as part of the name, using the name of his son “Dale” as the other.
As the community has grown outside its humble beginnings, its boundaries have begun to blur, but most would say that “you will know it when you’re there.” Many would attribute the stronghold in community identity found nowhere else in Fort Wayne as a testament to the many great things that the community holds and represents. Waynedale is in its people, its businesses, and the many things there are to do here.
It’s often said that you can find everything you need without leaving the community. Once a farming town, Waynedale is also uniquely still host to many family-owned businesses that have stood the test of time and continue to offer great service and products today. It’s endearing that the tradition of supporting local businesses is still strong here.
Throughout time, the newspaper has also helped strengthen and maintain Waynedale’s community identity. The first edition of The Waynedale News came out on September 2, 1932. Arden McCoy was the editor, and the paper consisted of a single sheet measuring 15 by 10 inches. Noble’s Home Store was the main advertiser, listing Hershey Cocoa at one pound for .17 cents and Camay Toilet Soap at .05 cents per bar. Potatoes were 7.5 cents a peck and .25 cents per bushel.
Hand-in-hand passionate community members, the newspaper and local businesses still continue the tradition of celebrating, promoting and bringing together the community through its news, events for community members to enjoy, and projects like the weather siren to keep those in the community safe.
It is simply wonderful that the Waynedale community has been adorned with so many passionate people who not only want to help create a better place to live and work but also thrive.
As we look into the future, the community continues to have a bright outlook. With industry growing southwest of Waynedale, there are more and more jobs available for people who can live close by in our community. As entertainment venues like Electric Works and the Clyde continue to develop, there will be even more things to enjoy. And the City of Fort Wayne’s recent emphasis on growing southside businesses will also help to bring more opportunities to those in the Waynedale area.
On such a monumental occasion, Waynedale’s 103rd Anniversary is not only a time to celebrate, but a time to appreciate what we have. On behalf of the Waynedale News, I would like to take a moment to thank the many people who make Waynedale great! Whether you’re a neighbor, business owner, or simply a passionate community member, your selfless hard work is being noticed and it is appreciated every day that everyone else is able to enjoy it. It takes everyone working together to make it happen, and we are so prideful and thankful for our community!
Some of the titles from their series Looking Back at Waynedale History on The Waynedale News.comare listed below:
- September 2, 1932 the Waynedale News started publication. Waynedale News Celebrates Community Legacy published September 2, 2018 on The Waynedale News.com. Waynedale was annexed into Fort Wayne September 9, 1957.
- Waynedale History over several pages, page 2, page 3, page 4, page 5, with links to articles Looking Back at Waynedale History most written by Ed Noble are published on The Waynedale News.com. Links to some are listed below:
- The Waynedale History Book To Be Released in 2015.
- 100 Years Ago in 4-H - July 24, 2002
- The Waynedaler - January 8, 2003
- Waynedale United Methodist Church Choir - March 19, 2003
- In the Beginning - September 3, 2003
- First Millionaire in Waynedale - September 17, 2003
- The Growth of Waynedale Transportation - October 1, 2003
- The Esmond Mill - October 29, 2003
- First trading - October 29, 2003
- Lewisburg, Bingville, Mason or Waynedale - November 12, 2003
- The Way of Life in the 1910s and 1920s - November 26, 2003
- Let's Move to Waynedale - December 10, 2003
- Looking Back at Waynedale history - December 24, 2003
- Nobles Home Store part 2 - January 7, 2004
- Waynedale's First Library - January 21, 2004
- Speaking of Telephones - February 4, 2004
- Prarie Grove Church and Cemetery - February 18, 2004
- Waynedale 1929/1930 - March 3, 2004
- After 1929 Stock Market Crash - March 17, 2004
- Early 1900s - March 31, 2004
- Lincoln Highway - April 14, 2004
- Waynedale Annexed June 1957 - April 28, 2004
- Lester and Bertha Umber - May 12, 2004
- Lutheran Foundation History - May 12, 2004
- The Tower and the Church - May 26, 2004
- The Fort Wayne Aviation Company - June 09, 2004
- History of Wayne Township Fire Co. #1 1940-1983 by Paul W. Fairfield published February 23, 2005
- HAPPY 90TH BIRTHDAY WAYNEDALE February 25, 2011 by The Waynedale News Staff
- The story behind Waynedale's momentum by Amber Bouthot posted April 4, 2018 on Input Fort Wayne is about Alex Cornwell and Wayndedale News.
- HOW OUR COMMUNITY CAME TO BE February 26, 2021 by The Waynedale News Staff
- The Founding Of Our Community February 25, 2022 by The Waynedale News Staff
- Happy 101 Years, Waynedale! – From The Publisher February 25, 2022 by Alex Cornwell.
Can you feel it? It’s the beginning of a new era in the Waynedale community! On February 15, 2022, Waynedale celebrated its 101st year since it’s founder, Abner Elzey, began the unincorporated town on that day in 1921. We have come a long way since the era of country stores, dirt roads, and horses.
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February 15, 2023 post by The Waynedale News on Facebook:
Happy 102nd Birthday, Waynedale!
At the time, Waynedale represented a dream of Abner Elzey for a community in which anyone could "build a home to his own design and enjoy suburban life." This unincorporated town of approximately 3,000 residents was situated about three miles southwest of Fort Wayne on State Roads 1 & 3, and was founded by Elzey on February 15, 1921.
While standing on the southeast corner of the Lower Huntington Road and the present Old Trail Road, Elzey pointed to the southwest toward the Cunnison farmland and proclaimed it an ideal location for a community. The town built on the location and its surrounding area stands as a memorial to its founder. Naming the community was difficult. At first, Elzey had intended to name the community after his only daughter, Ilo, but this idea was dropped. And since those living in this area spoke of Fort Wayne as “Wayne,” he chose that as part of the name, using the name of his son “Dale” as the other.
The only residence in the original plat was the Cunnison farmhouse, the site that is now occupied by Waynedale Do-It-Best Hardware. The original bounds of Waynedale were McArthur Drive on the south, Old Trail Road on the east, Lower Huntington Road on the north and Beaty Avenue on the west.
Love community history? Look for more in this weekend's edition of The Waynedale News!
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March 1, 2023 post by The Waynedale News on Facebook shared a post by Tazza Café :
Hey Waynedale, we have some fun old fashioned sodas that we crafted and named after historic places here locally! Which one will you be trying? Nia decided to try the Chief Richardsville which is a lemon lime and cherry soda!
Kekionga, The Warthog, Elzey Street, Eagle Marsh, The Elmhurst, Fox Island, Chief Richarville, Fire Station 1.
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September 2, 2023 post by The Waynedale News on Facebook:
Today, The Waynedale News celebrates 91 years in print!
Since its modest beginnings in 1932, the newspaper has stood as a resilient community voice, advocate, and invaluable free resource for all to enjoy. The newspaper would like to take the opportunity to thank the many advertisers and sponsors who keep the lights on and the presses rolling, placing newspapers into the hands of readers.
Astoundingly, The Waynedale News' readership has now reached an all-time high, with a remarkable 10% increase compared to recent years. The Waynedale News now resonates primarily within Waynedale, Aboite, Southtown, Downtown, and the 46807 district. While other printed publications grapple with dwindling content and readership, the dedicated team of community advocates and supporters are elated to consistently deliver the latest news and entertainment from their corner of the Fort Wayne community.
Read more: https://waynedalenews.com/2023/09/for-the-love-of-community/
Support The Historic Newspaper: https://waynedalenews.com/donate/
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December 8, 2023 post by The Waynedale News on Facebook:
It was so incredibly endearing to see the hundreds of community members who came out tonight to offer their love, grief and support at the Candlelight Vigil To Honor The Memory Of Perla Nieto. By candlelight, Perla's family, friends, coworkers, and patrons of the Waynedale Kroger shared heartfelt memories of the beloved community member who touched so many lives.
Thank you to the many loving people who worked quickly to turn such a horrific event into such a meaningful show of community togetherness.