Allen County Turns 200! Celebrating with Community Art
Happy 200th Birthday New Haven (and all of Allen County)!
This sculpture below is part of a larger public art project commissioned by the Allen County Bicentennial Executive Board, celebrating 200 years of history in Allen County. 15 local artists were invited to paint a series of sculptures that reflect the unique stories, pride, and landmarks of each community in Allen County.
I was assigned the lovely city of New Haven and I want to share my thought process behind the design I chose!
New Haven, Indiana, has always been a city with a lot of history and heart. From the early days of pioneers navigating the Maumee River to the trains rolling through town today, this place has seen a lot of change, but it’s never lost its sense of identity. As Allen County celebrates its 200th anniversary, New Haven is joining in the festivities by unveiling a brand-new public art piece that captures the story of the city—past, present, and future.
From River to Rails: The Roots of New Haven
The story of New Haven starts with the Maumee River, where pioneers first settled in the early 1800s. These early adventurers carved out a life along the riverbanks, and in the 1840s, the Wabash and Erie Canal came to town. The canal quickly became a hub for transporting goods and people, with boats pulled by mules gliding through the water. It was a time when New Haven was a small but vital stop along a major waterway.
By the 1920s, though, the city had fully embraced the railroad boom. The steam locomotives that ran through New Haven were a sign of the times—and of progress. The city grew, industries flourished, and the railroads helped connect us to the rest of the country. Today, New Haven remains an important stop on Norfolk Southern’s rail lines and is proud to sit along the historic Lincoln Highway, America’s first coast-to-coast road.
The People Who Made New Haven
In the 1850s, immigrants like Herman Schnelker brought their dreams and hard work to New Haven. Schnelker, a German immigrant, saw the potential in the canal and built a successful business empire that helped drive the city’s growth.
Then there’s the sports legacy. Bubbles Hargrave, a New Haven native, made a name for himself in Major League Baseball, playing for the Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, and New York Yankees. His success on the field put New Haven on the map, and his brother, Pinky Hargrave, followed in his footsteps, playing for teams like the Washington Senators and the Boston Braves. These brothers became local legends and a source of pride for the community.
A Locomotive Legacy: The Nickel Plate No. 765
For those who love history (or just big, cool trains), New Haven’s got something special to offer: the Nickel Plate Steam Locomotive No. 765. Built in the late 1940s, this giant became a symbol of New Haven’s rail history. After years of being in storage, the locomotive came back to New Haven in 1974, where it was meticulously restored. Today, it stands on Edgerton Road as a testament to the city’s railway legacy—and a favorite for train enthusiasts who come from all over to see it.
The Bicentennial Project: Celebrating 200 Years of History
The New Haven sculpture is just one part of a much larger project: the Allen County Bicentennial Celebration. This sculpture initiative is a key piece of that celebration, with each of the county’s cities and towns getting their own artwork that reflects their local history, landmarks, and pride.
In New Haven, the sculpture will be a tribute to a journey from a pioneer settlement to the modern city they are today. I designed a piece that represents the trails and nature, the railroads, the sports legends, and the community spirit that has always defined New Haven—with a touch of the graphic elements my art is known for. Public art is all about telling the stories that often go untold—about the everyday moments that have shaped lives.
Public art is a powerful way to create connections between generations, start conversations, and bring people together. By showcasing these sculptures, Allen County is not only celebrating its history but also creating new landmarks that will stand for generations to come.
The Impact of Public Art: Bringing Communities Together
This public art project has the power to change the way we think about our community. These sculptures will be placed in public spaces across Allen County, offering a new way for residents and visitors to engage with history. Public art is a tool for sparking pride and fostering connection, and by showcasing the stories of New Haven and other local communities, the Bicentennial project aims to bring us all closer together.
Each piece has been thoughtfully designed to tell the story of a specific community. The sculptures will create an open-air museum of sorts, where residents and visitors can walk through the county and experience the diverse history of our cities, towns, and neighborhoods.
The New Haven sculpture was installed November 25, 2024 at the east side of New Haven City Hall. A dedication ceremony will follow December 11th, 2024 at 11:15am!
Looking Ahead: A Lasting Legacy
This Bicentennial Sculpture Project is a gift to the future. It’s not just about celebrating the past 200 years but also about leaving something for the next generation. It’s about teaching kids and adults alike about the importance of community, culture, and history—through art.
The project is made possible by the collaboration of local organizations, including the Allen County Bicentennial Executive Board, Visit Fort Wayne, the Fort Wayne Community Foundation, and New Allen Alliance, with support from public art consultant Alexandra Hall. Their collective vision is helping to make this public art project a lasting legacy for Allen County.
So, if you’re in New Haven this year, keep an eye out for the new sculpture. It is a celebration of who we are, where we’ve been, and where we’re going.