The Friendly Fox

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Location & Contact:

4001 South Wayne Avenue
Fort Wayne, IN 46807
260-745-3369

Description:

About 17,750 people lived in Fort Wayne by the end of the 1860s. The Civil War had ended and the Erie-Wabash Canal and the burgeoning railroads were bustling with activity. Fort Wayne paved its first streetssix blocks of Calhoun and Columbia Streets were covered with wood blocks. It was an incredible time of new ideas!

Trish Foxs great, great grandfather, George Fox, established the original Fox Confectionery in 1865. Today the City County Building sits on the site. George was an eclectic sort of fellow, dubbing himself and son Louis as sellers of ice cream and oysters. They also made candy and baked cakes.

By 1871 Fort Wayne was the thriving railroad center of Northern Indiana and the canal was nearly obsolete. The Indian reservation was still located outside the city, but few remained in the tribe. It was this year Louis Fox married Sophia Lau, daughter of Thomas Lau, the architect who designed many of Fort Waynes most notable buildings including the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

Electric lights were installed in Fort Wayne in 1881. A short time later Louis began his own business, calling it the Fox Bakery, Crackers and Confectioneries. In addition to making baked goods, Louis also dealt in foreign fruits, nuts and even firecrackers. In 1898 the Fox Bakery was sold to the United States Baking Company and Louis continued on as its manager. A year later, the building was destroyed by fire.

An entrepreneur and successful businessman, Louis went on to serve as president and director of many of Fort Waynes original companies. He was wholly responsible for the building of the Wolf & Dessauer department store at Washington and Calhoun Streets, and he left long-lasting memorials and benefits to many people.

Today Trish Fox is carrying on the Fox family tradition. Some coffee, some confections, and a whole lot of comfort. Lifes still done in true Fort Wayne style at The Friendly Fox.