The Allen County War Memorial Coliseum — Edition Insights

he heating and plumbing, electricity, seating, sewerage, ice floor and refrigeration, and lockers. In each case the low bid was accepted, and the aggregate amount was under the three million dollar limit. All the awards were made tentatively, pending the issuance of bonds.

In January, 1950, the commissioners announced that the bid of the Chicago National Bank had been accepted for the bond issue. The bank formed a syndicate with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner, and Beane; the Mercantile Commerce Bank and Trust Company; Harris Hall and Company, Incorporated; and the Fletcher Trust Company. A representative of the Chicago banking house said that the excellent credit and tax collection record of Allen County made the $27,445 premium possible. The interest rate is 1½ per cent.

At long last the finances were arranged, the architect’s plans were approved, and the contracts were awarded; now construction could begin. On January 24, 1950, just three weeks after the bond issue had been floated, the ground-breaking ceremony took place. Chester V. Kimmel, then chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Coliseum, presided. All county commissioners and trustees were present, and representatives of various veterans and civic organizations attended. The cornerstone was laid in November, 1951. In the spring of 1952, the massive structure was nearly completed. On Memorial Day the Allen County Council of Veterans Organizations held a flag-raising ceremony to mark the initiation of the final phase of construction.

Meanwhile, the Board of Trustees began the arduous task of compiling complete and accurate lists of the deceased in order that the names might be inscribed on the plaques in the Memorial Hall. No official list was available. Otto H. Adams, the secretary of the Board of Trustees, searched the records of the War Department and the veterans organizations. The completed list was published in both Fort Wayne newspapers; relatives and friends were earnestly requested to notify the board of any corrections or omissions. The roll of honor listed the names of 643 men and women. The total has since been increased by the casualties of the Korean conflict.

The Board of Trustees had the responsibility of choosing a manager for the Coliseum. The duties of the manager were to include the administration and operation of the building, the supervision of personnel, and the scheduling of events. The choice fell upon Don Myers, who had been a most active promoter of the Coliseum since its inception. The NEWS SENTINEL published an editorial commending the choice and praising Mr. Myers: “When others insisted that it probably could not be done, he kept insisting that it could be done and that he for one wasn’t going to give up trying. He didn’t. He kept talking about the Memorial Coliseum night and day, week in and week out.” Mr. Myers has proved an able manager; his work has won him recognition in his profession, and he was awarded the trophy at the Auditorium Operators Convention for his outstanding record during the 1952-53 season.

During the construction period two changes occurred on the Board of Trustees. Ramon S. Perry’s term expired, and Chester V. Kimmel, the chairman, resigned to go to India under the Point Four Program. James R. Fleming, who had served on the board since its beginning, was elected chairman. Ellison L. Meier and Elmer Kolmerten were appointed to fill the vacancies.

The War Memorial Coliseum was completed in September, 1952. Nearly eight years had elapsed since the Junior Chamber of Commerce had conceived the idea of erecting a suitable memorial to the war dead of Allen County. The men who had worked unremittingly through those years were amply rewarded when the building was opened by impressive dedicatory services.

The dedication program was preceded by a parade in which bands from all the city and county high schools and representatives from twenty-four county veterans organizations participated. The Great Lakes Naval Training Center Band opened the ceremony. The Aeolian Choir of the General Electric Company sang “America, the Beautiful” and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Lewis K. Gough, the National Commander of the American Legion, delivered the principal address and said in part: “This is the hallowed hall of heroes ... this Memorial Coliseum, a living memorial to our sons and daughters, our brothers and sisters, our fathers and our dear friends who served their God and their country with the last full measure of devotion.”