If you’ve ever passed through Wells Street then you may have noticed this rather strange-looking home. This looks almost crooked and dishevelled from the outside, while also showing a lot of character. Because of this, it can be hard to miss it and it has stood in this condition for decades. However, it wasn’t always this way.

Despite looking a little creepy, the origin of this house is quite wholesome and it relates to the local surroundings. In short, the house used to be owned by the zoo manager which was the case until the early 2000s. Since then, it has not been lived in for years and looks to be completely abandoned at this point, while still belonging to the zoo.

Standing sentinel at 3325 Wells Street, this is a unique architectural gem – a 20th-century American Foursquare residence, graced with Queen Anne flourishes and built with enduring stone. Once a bustling family home, it now serves as storage for the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo. Yet, despite neglect causing the loss of its grand porch and leaving it vulnerable to demolition by disrepair, this magnificent structure retains its charm and historical significance.

Recognizing its value, the local historic preservation non-profit has championed its cause for years, including it on its Endangered List. Could this architectural beauty be saved from the ravages of time and find a new purpose? The future of 3325 Wells Street hangs in the balance.