Headwaters Park: Fort Wayne's Lasting Legacy

By: Geoff Paddock

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Synopsis: The history of Fort Wayne is deeply rooted in its connection to the three rivers that converge at its center: the Maumee, St. Mary's, and St. Joseph Rivers. This abundance of waterways provided great access and trading opportunities for the Fort Wayne area. However, their meeting place, the point at which the St. Mary's and the St. Joseph join to form the headwaters of the Maumee, served as a frequent flood plain and constantly evolving landscape. While humans declined to set up permanent settlements on the Fort Wayne "thumb," it hosted many important events. From the flood of 1790 to the circus grounds of the 1850s, to the first night baseball game of 1883 to a depression area shantytown of the 1930s, the rich legacy of the Headwaters is a vital part of the fabric of Fort Wayne's history.Today, through the efforts of the Fort Wayne community and the Headwaters Flood Control and Park project, the area has been transformed into one of the most forward thinking city park projects in the country, providing a home for many area festivals and a beautiful addition to the downtown landscape of Fort Wayne.