1853

Fort Wayne Schools Banner

The progress for establishing free, public schools moved slowly in Allen County. Amos Richey, Sr. car-ried this silk banner when he was ten or twelve years old at the head of processions calling for the establishment of free, public "common schools" in Allen County, one of which was located at the home of Mr. A. M. Hulburd at the corner of West Wayne and Ewing Streets. Many years later, while on a visit to New York City, his old school master remembered Richey had carried the banner and gave it to him to bring back to Fort Wayne. The banner was originally double sided, with "Republicanism" and "Education" painted on the other side. The halves were separated for preservation and display.

The common school movement finally succeeded by appealing to fears that church-related schools were not teaching children proper American values. The first permanent public school building, a three-story brick building known as the Clay School, opened on the corner of Washington and Clay Streets in 1857. With the opening of the first public school, Fort Wayne Community Schools was established, and for over 150 years has built a heritage that is closely interwoven with the growth and development of Fort Wayne and surrounding areas.