Learn more about the teams history in this article. Fort wayne, indiana, is home to three minor league sports teams. Allen county war memorial coliseum is a,000seat multipurpose arena located in fort wayne, indiana, near presentday johnny appleseed park. Detroit pistons simple english wikipedia, the free. Dolph schayes hit two free throws with a minute left to give syracuse a 9190 lead, but the pistons george yardley answered with a free throw. As the birthplace of magnet wire to sweetwater sound, vera bradley and bad dad motorcycles, allen county and fort wayne have been at the forefront. Mary s rivers come together to form the maumee, followed waynes victory over the miami indians. The franchise was founded as the fort wayne zollner pistons, a national basketball league nbl team, playing in the gym of north side high school in fort wayne, indiana. Team history 1957 present detroit pistons 1948 1957 fort wayne pistons 1941 1948 fort wayne zollner pistons. This page primarily lists records kept at the city level. Full text of the zollner piston story see other formats.
Owners fred zollner and his sister janets zollner corporation was a foundry, manufacturing pistons, primarily for car, truck and locomotive engines. The secret stash turns out to be mostly fort wayne pistons memorabilia, both softball and basketball items from the 1940s and 1950s. Concert history of the allen county war memorial coliseum. Owners fred zollner and his sister janets zollner corporation was a. Click rates for 2014 allen county townships, payable in 2015. In 1840, at the point on the detroit river closest to british canada, the united states army began surveying local farms for the placement of a new artillery post. Finding historical sports items at acpl can be fun adventure. It was positioned about 300 feet from the old fort, and sat closer to the.
This fort would be the first of the three us forts built in presentday downtown fort wayne, which grew up around the fort. Only indiana 19411957 the fort wayne zollner pistons. Click here for the history of the fort wayne pistons. Fort wayne orphan home, twentyfifth anniversary, 1908. My daughter and i are not from fort wayne originally and we really enjoyed learning about the history of fort wayne.
Industrialist fred zollner began softball and basketball teams in fort wayne, indiana. The history center 302 e berry st, fort wayne, indiana 46802 rated 4. Featured texts all books all texts latest this just in smithsonian libraries fedlink us genealogy lincoln collection. From 1943 to 1946 fort wayne posted the nbls best record, and the pistons survived the playoffs to claim the championship in 1944 and 1945.
Allen county innovation details the many inventions conceived and produced in our area. In 1840, the land at the point of the detroit river closest to british canada was being surveyed by the united states army for a new artillery. On november 22, 1950, the fort wayne pistons defeated the minneapolis lakers with a final score of 19 to 18 in the lowest scoring game in nba history. Currently over 10,000 on display for your viewing pleasure. Fort wayne genealogy in allen county, in usa 1,012,695 indiana 38,888 allen county 1,617 fort wayne 1,083. After beating chicago in a tiebreaker game fort wayne entered the playoffs as the three seed in the east and defeated their old rivals, the.
Scott caffrey the history of the detroit pistons professional basketball team from its start in fort wayne, indiana, in 1941 to today, spotlighting the franchises greatest players and momentsprovided by. Due to the poor condition of waynes original fort, hunt erected a new fort in 1800. For several decades, there have been rumors of a secret fort wayne sports. Born in fort wayne, he retired after 36 years from zollner pistons as. Established in 1941 as the zollner pistons named for team owner and auto parts manufacturer fred zollner and based in fort wayne, indiana, the pistons originally played in the national basketball league nbl, in which they won two league championships 194445. Fort wayne pistons primary logo national basketball. Fort wayne has been credited for being the birthplace of the nba when fort wayne pistons owner fred zollner brokered the merger of the baa and the nbl in 1949 from his kitchen table. The pistons joined the basketball association of america baa for the 194849 seasondropping. The team has won nba championships in 1989, 1990, and 2004. At one point, the pistons had a 17point lead, 4124, in the second quarter. These include the nbas fort wayne pistons now in detroit, the fort wayne daisies of the. The allen county war memorial coliseum was originally designed to seat 8,103 for hockey or 10,240 for basketball. The detroit pistons franchise was founded as the fort wayne zollner pistons, a national basketball league nbl team, in fort wayne, indiana.
Dec 24, 2017 the secret stash turns out to be mostly fort wayne pistons memorabilia, both softball and basketball items from the 1940s and 1950s. In 2012, the history center opened the first new permanent exhibition gallery since the museum opened in 1980. The topranking teams at the end of each season engage in a playoff to determine the nba champion, which claims the title of world champion. Automobile piston magnate fred zollner launched the club in the national basketball league and christened it the fort wayne zollner pistons.
For more than 50 years, former fort wayne pistons executive carl. Search the history of over 424 billion web pages on the internet. Funeral home services for jack are being provided by d. Ft wayne zollner pistons scrapbooks 19421957 fold3. Jan 02, 2015 the franchise was founded as the fort wayne zollner pistons, a national basketball league nbl team, playing in the gym of north side high school in fort wayne, indiana. Fort wayne hosted another major league team in a big four sport, the fort wayne kekiongas of the national association. Apr 11, 2020 schaefer played with the fort wayne pistons and indianapolis kautskys of the nbl before finishing his playing career in the nba with the minneapolis lakers from 194850, averaging 7. The zollner pistons were nbl champions in 1944 and 1945. The 194950 nba season was the second season for the fort wayne pistons in the national basketball association nba, and ninth overall as a franchise. The fort wayne mad ants of the nba developmental league, won their first championship in 2014 in their 7th year of existence, sweeping the six game playoff schedule. Fort wayne is the only starshaped fort in the midwest. Schaefer played with the fort wayne pistons and indianapolis kautskys of the nbl before finishing his playing career in the nba with the minneapolis lakers from 194850, averaging 7. There are three softballs thought to be signed by members of a.
The pistons were not the only team named after auto parts in the nbl as they were joined by the akron firestone nonskids, akron goodyear wingfoots, and toledo jim white chevrolets. The 195556 fort wayne pistons season was the eighth season for the pistons in the national. Oct 16, 2007 the pistons proud history began in indiana farewell, fort wayne. Learn about the coalitions projects and events for the season. Whether youre a current student, parent, player, fan or alumni, youll find over 500 products to customize from, including fort wayne pistons tshirts, sweatshirts, all hats, all bags, and more. Allen county public library genealogy center fort wayne. Fort wayne pistons primary logo on chris creamers sports logos page sportslogos. Fort wayne pistons team history sports team history. Fort wayne, detroits third fort, is named after general anthony wayne, whose defeat of the british at the fallen timbers in 1796 resulted in the united states occupation of the northwest territories. To serve present and future generations by collecting, preserving, and sharing historic artifacts, documents, and images that describe the people. The pistons have won three nba championships 1989, 1990, 2004. See more ideas about fort wayne, indiana, fort wayne indiana. Yesterdays games and scores from any date in baanba or aba history.
A collection of various mementos, artifacts, newspaper clippings and pictures. A virtual museum of sports logos, uniforms and historical items. Apr 12, 2020 the by hey arena at fort wayne north side was named for byard hey, former coach at north side for 31 years. Based on information compiled by james conway, fort wayne project managerhistorian.
Jack molinas was the lead conspirator in the 1961 scandals which produced 37 arrests of players from 22 colleges. Yardley is a fixture in the top player section in the fort wayne years for a pretty simple reason. Actually, upon request, the library gives dozens of fine book room and. The former gymnasium hosted the nbas fort wayne pistons. Additional records are listed on the county and state pages. History of sports in fort wayne, indiana wikipedia. Fort wayne zollner pistons team history sports team history. Owner fred zollners zollner corporation was a foundry that manufactured pistons, primarily for car, truck, and locomotive engines. Fort wayne zollner pistons softball team history sources. A five point star fort was slated to have the most up to date cannon capable of firing on enemy.
Nickname pistons originally the fort wayne zollner pistons, the teams name comes from team owner frank zollners piston manufacturing company. In 1840, the land at the point of the detroit river closest to british canada was being surveyed by the united states army for a new artillery post. The by hey arena at fort wayne north side was named for byard hey, former coach at north side for 31 years. Set in the historic 1893 city building and old city jail, discover exhibits, artifacts and photographs which tell the stories of our local heritage, from chief little turtle and general anthony wayne to recent innovations. The teams star was 511 bobby mcdermott, the leagues. Recent game results height of bar is margin of victory mouseover bar for details click for box score grouped by month. Oshkosh, sheboygan, fort wayne, akron, these were the longtime. Try to find a more accomplished athlete in the pistons history book than the late dike eddleman. Before the current fort was built on the site, this location had always been a defensive position because it is the narrowest point on the river, and the best location to control commerce andor enemies on the river. The history center 302 east berry street fort wayne, indiana 46802 v. In 2007, the basketball hall of fame debuts a presentation highlighting fort wayne as the birthplace of the nba.
Jack smiley signed a multiyear contract as a free agent with the fort wayne pistons on september 1, 1948. Industrialist fred zollner began softball and basketball teams in. A franquia detroit pistons foi fundada como fort wayne zollner pistons, uma equipe da national basketball league nbl, em fort wayne, indiana. The pistons will move to the city of detroit for the 201718 season, sharing the new little caesars arena with the detroit red wings of the nhl. After missing the playoffs for the first time in 1949 the team made their first nba playoff birth. For more information on the book fort wayne sports history written by. In 1948, the team was in fort wayne, indiana, but that was before moving to detroit in 1957. In 1798, colonel thomas hunt became commander of fort wayne. Detroit pistons, american professional basketball team based in auburn hills, michigan, that plays in the national basketball association. The zollner piston story by roger nelson goodreads. Search for your apparel store and shop for school uniforms and fan gear today. Probably the most outstanding team in nba history was the boston celtics, which, led by centre bill russell, won 11 of titles from 195657 to 196869.
National basketball association nba, professional basketball league formed in the united states in 1949 by the merger of two rival organizations, the national basketball league and the basketball association of america. Allen county public library genealogy center fort wayne and. The 5657 season was yardleys fourth in the league and. Learn more about the history and organization of the nba in this article. Finding historical sports items at acpl can be fun adventure news. Fort wayne pistons is located in fort wayne, indiana. Bob tough signed a contract as a free agent with the fort wayne pistons on september 1, 1948. History of fort wayne, indiana fort wayne, the county seat of allen county, derives its name from a u.