North Anthony Boulevard Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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North Anthony Boulevard Historic District
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North Anthony Boulevard Historic District, January 2014
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 Location in Indiana
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roughly N. Anthony Boulevard between Vance and Lake Aves., Fort Wayne, Indiana |
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| Area | 44.4 acres (18.0 ha) |
| Built | c. 1918-1930 |
| Architectural style | Tudor Revival, Colonial Revival, Bungalow / craftsman et al. |
| MPS | Park and Boulevard System of Fort Wayne, Indiana MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 14000800 |
| Added to NRHP | September 30, 2014 |
The North Anthony Boulevard Historic District is a special area in Fort Wayne, Indiana, known for its beautiful old homes and unique street design. It's like a snapshot of history, showing how people lived and built houses many years ago. This district is so important that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's recognized nationally for its historical value.
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What Makes This District Special?
This historic district includes nearly 300 important buildings, mostly homes, along North Anthony Boulevard. It stretches from Lake Avenue to Vance Avenue. The district is special because it shows how people's choices for their homes mixed with a big city plan. This plan was part of the "City Beautiful movement". This movement aimed to make cities more beautiful and organized.
A Special Plan for the City
The way North Anthony Boulevard looks today is directly connected to a plan from 1912. A city planner named George Kessler created this plan for parks and boulevards in Fort Wayne. Before this plan, the street was called Walton Avenue. It was designed with wide sidewalks and rows of trees, originally London plane trees. This gave the street a grand, park-like feel.
Homes from Different Eras
Most of the homes in the North Anthony Boulevard Historic District were built between 1918 and 1930. However, some new homes were added even into the 1950s. These houses show many different architectural styles that were popular back then.
Popular Home Styles
Some of the common styles you can see include:
- Colonial Revival: These homes often look like early American houses, with balanced designs and sometimes columns.
- Tudor Revival: These houses often have steep roofs, tall chimneys, and decorative half-timbering (wood strips on the outside walls).
- American Foursquare: These are usually square-shaped, two-story homes with a low-pitched roof. They were very practical.
- American Craftsman (Bungalow): These homes focus on natural materials and handcrafted details. They often have wide porches and overhanging eaves.
Other styles you might find are English Cottage, Dutch Colonial Revival, and Arts and Crafts. The most common style in the district is American Foursquare, followed by Colonial Revival.
Later Homes
Some empty lots in the district were filled with new homes after World War II, up until the 1950s. These later homes often have a ranch or modern design. They might have stone on the outside and hipped roofs (roofs that slope on all four sides).
Important Neighbors
Inside this historic district, you'll also find the William C. and Clara Hagerman House. This house is so important that it's listed separately on the National Register of Historic Places.
Protecting the Neighborhood
The North Anthony Boulevard Historic District was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014. This helps protect its history and unique look. The people who live here care a lot about their neighborhood. The North Anthony Area Neighborhood Association was formed in the 1970s. This group worked to stop North Anthony Boulevard from being widened to four lanes of traffic. They wanted to keep the street's original charm and design.
