Old Byron Health Center items up for auction; building may be knocked down soon


Old Byron Health Center items up for auction; building may be knocked down soon

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA21) — The old Byron Health Center on the northwest side of town has been familiar to many people across Fort Wayne, but the historic building could be leveled soon. 

City officials tell ABC21 there are plans to knock down the old building this summer, but, no word about what may come next for the 128-acre development.  

In the meantime, items from the old building are being auctioned off. 

Workers with Steffen Group, an auctioning firm in Fort Wayne, are conducting a week-long liquidation auction. Things like dentist equipment, vintage furniture and other items are up for bid. 

“There are a lot of moving parts to an auction like this,” Steffen Group Vice President Josh Lewis said. “As far as getting it arranged and getting all the lots in place, adding it to an online auction adds another layer of complexity for us. So having done it before, really I think we’re the best for it and I think that will show in the outcome.” 

ABC21 talked with one woman who grew up in Noble County about her mom who was a patient at Byron Health Center for 40 years. 

Ella Cordial says her mom had a brain injury which paralyzed her right side and diminished her speech. 

“She took up art as a way to communicate so she was very well known as being an artist there,” Cordial said. “If she wanted to get her point across, she would draw you pictures.” 

She told ABC21 she visited the building from age two into her adult years. 

Cordial says her mom entered the health center at age 28 and she passed away in 2016 at age 69. 

She says her mom described the health center in one word. 

“One of her favorite words was family, that place was family to her,” Cordial said. 

She says many people knew her mother for her positive personality, infectious smile and love of art. 

Cordial says whatever happens to the old building, she’s glad other residents have a new home at the new Byron Health Center. 

In the meantime, those memories bring peace. 

“When I drive past it and when any of my family drives past it, we can’t help but stop and think of her,” Cordial said. “It’s kind of bittersweet I guess I could say if I drove past it and see it’s no longer there.”

The online auction runs through March 26. Also, if you’d like to tour the old Byron Health Center, you can Sunday March 21, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. 

Bidders for the auction are allowed to come see items they may want during the hours for the tour Sunday. 


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