Red Brick and Lime Stone: Journal-Gazette Building founded by John Bass in 1871

Sturges Property Group
Apr 27
2 min read

Originally built in 1871 by industrialist John Bass, the red brick Journal-Gazette building has undergone many changes, from a total remodel in 1928 to renovations in 1982. The front facade we know today was constructed by Fort Wayne architect Charles R. Weatherhogg when Court Street and the surrounding buildings were torn down to widen Clinton Street by 20 feet.

The building was redesigned in the Chicago style with limestone trim. The metal window accents, trim, and awning remain to this day. The Journal-Gazette newspaper leased space in the south end of the building in 1908 but later purchased the building to remodel in 1928. They continued to rent space there until 1958 when they moved to a new facility, along with the News-Sentinel, just a few blocks away on West Main Street. In 1982, the Journal-Gazette building was added to the National Register of Historic Places and was renovated again to transform the interior into more office spaces.

In January 2020, Barry Sturges and John Caffray of Sturges Property Group handled the sale of the building to a new investor and Sturges Property Group continues to manage and lease the building to this day.

Today, the building houses many local businesses, including Chrzan Law Firm, Allen County Democratic Party, Gibson Law Offices, Brothers Interior Renovation Solutions, MC Sims Racing, and more. And it could also be home to your local business as well!

Listing Link: Journal-Gazette building

We would like to give a special shout-out to Kendall Stevens and Amy Schuldt of Sturges Property Group for the photography and copy in this article. If you enjoyed reading this article check back every month to see what new historical property Sturges Property Group has to share.

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