History of Williams Woodland Park

Originally part of Jesse Williams' landholdings, the chief engineer of the Wabash and Erie Canal, the area now known as Williams Woodland Park Historic District was a private park opened to the public by the Williams family in the 1870s. After Jesse's passing, the city declined the family's offer to sell the park at half its value. In 1903, Henry Williams sold the 66 lots to real estate dealer Louis Curdes. Capitalizing on the expansion of the city’s streetcar lines, Curdes, after setting very specific deed restrictions, quickly sold all lots via lottery at the Fort Wayne Commercial Club.

The first homes in Williams Woodland Park were built in the early 1890s. These homes were built in a variety of architectural styles, including Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, and Tudor Revival. The neighborhood quickly became home to some of Fort Wayne's most prominent citizens, including lawyers, doctors, and businessmen.

In the mid-20th century, Williams Woodland Park began to decline. As the neighborhood's population aged and the post-World War II housing crisis unfolded, many homes were subdivided into multi-unit rentals, leading to their eventual decline and disrepair. However, over the past 40 years, the neighborhood has undergone a renaissance. New homeowners have moved in, and many of the homes have been restored to their former glory.