The release of 1940 Census data this morning at 9 AM was much anticipated.
Prior decennial census information can only be released after 72 have elapsed since its compilation. This is the first release of historical data that which is fully digitized. Prior releases have been on microfilm.
Traffic on the Archives.com website for the 1940 census data has been heavy.
However, Fort Wayne Observed was able to get to the search site. It was there, while trying to deterimine the 'Enumeration District' number that FWOb noted something unusual.
Once one enters the choice to search by location, there are drop down boxes for 'state', then 'county', then 'city'. FWOb discovered that there are only two Allen County communities listed as choices in the drop down box for 'city': Fort Wayne and Waynedale.
We are not sure what happened to places like New Haven, Woodburn, Monroeville and others. However, the news that the Census Bureau considers Waynedale a separate city from Fort Wayne will be a source of wry amusement on Fort Wayne's southwest side.
I don't recall if Waynedale was a separately incorporated city under Indiana law in 1940 but I do remember its annexation by Fort Wayne in 1950's. If memory serves, it happened about the time that a major sewer project was undertaken.
Even though I was just a youngster at the time, I knew that Waynedalers did not consider themselves as part of Fort Wayne.
Ed. note: No, it was not separately incorporated. One of the first things I did upon taking office as City Councilman for the district that includes Waynedale was to ask the Clerk's office for the original annexation file regarding Waynedale. And you correct, the impetus was getting sanitary sewage treatment for Waynedale. And yes, you are correct, folks then - and still - regard Waynedale as a separate community.
I tell folks the reason why I enjoy representing Waynedale is that I perfectly well understand that sentiment. Having grown up in New Haven, I tell folks Waynedale is like New Haven if New Haven had been annexed.
You understand that, too, as a former editor of New Haven's Allen County Times.
Posted by: Mark Franke | April 02, 2012 at 02:00 PM
Working at Bowmar, I now make the daily "commute" from Fort Wayne to Waynedale :-) The locals are very friendly.
Posted by: Karen Goldner | April 02, 2012 at 03:22 PM