Before the first European settlers arrived in this area, where the Saint Marys and Saint Joseph Rivers converge to form the Maumee, the Miami natives had established their capital of Kekionga. When French traders arrived on the scene in 1680, they developed an amicable relationship with the natives. Fort Miamis, the first of many forts that would eventually occupy this site, was constructed in 1704. In 1760, following the French and Indian War, the British gained possession of the fort, only to lose it three years later in Pontiac's Rebellion (in which Native Americans rebelled against British rule). The Miami regained control of the area and destroyed the fort. In 1790, President Washington sent the army in to secure the river junction. In the first two battles fought in Kekionga, the American army was defeated by the Miami and their chief, Little Turtle. The third attempt, led by General "Mad Anthony" Wayne, succeeded. The city of Fort Wayne, named for the conquering general, was constructed in 1794. Today, Fort Wayne is the seat of Allen County and the second largest city in Indiana after the state capital of Indianapolis. It is also a major commercial center in the Midwest.

Fort Wayne boasts a number of historical attractions including The History Center, which is home to the Allen County-Fort Wayne Historical Society, its museum and collections. Formed in 1921, it maintains a collection of more than 23,000 artifacts, photographs and documents representing the history of Fort Wayne and Allen County.

John Chapman (better known as Johnny Appleseed) spent his last days in Fort Wayne, and at least two places in the city purport to be his final resting place. Every September, folks gather at Johnny Appleseed Park for a weekend of crafts, costumes, and music known as the Johnny Appleseed Festival. The Embassy Theatre, built in 1928 as a vaudeville venue is on the National Register of Historic places and hosts Broadway Shows, as well as the Fort Wayne Philharmonic orchestra. The Allen County War Memorial Coliseum was completed in 1952 and hosts musical performances, sporting events, and various expositions and tradeshows while serving as a "living memorial" for those who have died while serving their country.

The Fort Wayne Museum of Art and its American Art Initiative attracts visitors with its permanent collection of almost 1,400 American paintings, sculpture, drawings, prints, and photographs and its collection of Indiana Amish quilts. Science Central, which provides families with programs and exhibits related to science, math, and technology, is Fort Wayne's second most visited attraction and is housed in the city's old City Light and Power plant.