FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – A century ago or more, Fort Wayne people knew what you meant when you talked about Irishtown, but the neighborhood name faded away and has been replaced with newer ones.
ARCH Inc. wants to celebrate the history of Irishtown with a new event and tours of the area.
You can check it out this weekend.
ARCH Inc. released the following:
Irishtown history is too rich and vibrant to lose, though, and ARCH, Fort Wayne’s historic preservation organization since 1975, invites the public to rediscover Irishtown (and the modern neighborhoods there!) at the brand-new Irishtown Trolley Tour and Festival from 1-4 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 1. Tour and Festival headquarters will be in the new Irishtown Plaza park on Fairfield Avenue at Taylor Street. The Irishtown Trolley will board there. The neighborhood walks through Hoagland Masterson and Williams-Woodland neighborhoods will leave from there.
And the plaza will be where tour guests will enjoy their themed refreshments and receive their special tour souvenirs. Both are included in the price of admission.
The Irish who settled earliest in Fort Wayne are remembered as the laborers who dug the Wabash & Erie Canal. The families who settled here mostly lived in the neighborhood directly south of downtown. After the canal was built, immigration continued and families began establishing small businesses and taking jobs in the growing town of Fort Wayne. St. Patrick’s Catholic parish church and school is one of their lasting legacies.
Tickets for the Irishtown Trolley Tour and Festival are on sale now at ARCH’s website. Advance tickets are available for a $5 discount. Tickets, if any remain, will also be on sale the day of the event at $30 for adults and $25 for children 12 and under.
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