This
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.
