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Formerly: Lincoln Bank Tower
Built:
1929
Cost: $1,300,000
Designed by: Alvin M. Strauss
Type: Skyscraper
Stories: 23
Maximum height: 116 East Berry Street
Location: 116 East Berry Street
City: Fort Wayne
State: Indiana
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his is the first skyscraper built in the state of Indiana, and is considered a tribute to the area's German heritage. It was commissioned by German immigrant Charles Buesching who was head of the Lincoln Bank and Trust, formerly the German-American Bank of Fort Wayne. It changed its name during the first World War because of anti-German sentiment in the community. It was later bought by Norwest Bank which was purchased by Wells Fargo. Like many other buildings and museums in Fort Wayne, this tower also pays homage to President Abraham Lincoln, and has copper panels at its main entrance depicting scenes from his life. Construction began during the heydays of the late 1920's in the art deco style of the time. In fact, it was started just one month before the stock market crash that triggered the Great Depression. But it was completed anyway in 1930, complete with gold highlights on its 312-foot limestone exterior. Like many skyscrapers in the Midwest and around the Untied States, it was influenced by the architecture of Chicago. Specifically, it was modeled after the Tribune Tower. It was actually the tallest building in the state of Indiana until 1969.
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