Auburn's automobile industry still influences its culture
Auburn’s history is all about cars. In 1903, the Eckhart Carriage Company gave way to the Auburn Automobile Company, which set up factories and an administrative building in the city and became an important manufacturer. While the company became defunct and went bankrupt in the 70s, Auburn has held onto its roots. The old administrative building remained at the heart of the city, transforming into a museum. Every year, the city has a festival showcasing old cars. While no longer building cars, Auburn’s major employers are mainly manufacturers and distributors, like Carlex Glass and Walmart. Currently home to about 13,000 people, the city is growing. “Fort Wayne is the big city close by, but a lot of people are moving away from the city and into communities like Auburn,” says Realtor Mary Anne Taylor with North Eastern Group Realty.
Newer subdivisions cropping up on the outskirts of Auburn
Auburn’s median housing price is about $265,000, lower than the national median. Historic homes are concentrated closer to the center of the city, with traditional homes dating back to the late 1800s and early 1900s. Fanning out, homes are more contemporary, like the bungalows and ranch-style homes built between the '50s and '90s. On the outskirts of the city, subdivisions like Duesenberg Place and Auburn Meadows, established in the last 20 years, feature modern traditional homes.
According to FBI data, Violent and property crime rates in Auburn are typically lower than the national and state rates.
The quiet city of Auburn has several styles of homes including bungalows.
Ranch homes in Auburn are a popular option for families.
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Classic cars in historic factories and showrooms in Auburn
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum uses the factory’s original showroom to display almost 140 vintage and antique cars. The Art Deco building underwent a restoration process to maintain the intricate detailing in the ceiling. Just across the street, the National Auto and Truck Museum is another Auburn Automobile Company building turned museum. It displays everything from Model A cars to muscle cars and oil trucks.
The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum in Auburn is dedicated to preserving cars built by Auburn Automobile, Cord Automobile, and Duesenberg Motors Company.
The National Auto & Truck Museum displays a collection of heritage vehicles ranging from a stretch taxi to toys.
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The annual Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival's car shows and parades
Every Labor Day weekend for over 65 years, the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival has everything from cruise-ins to garage shows. A parade goes through Auburn, showcasing antique and vintage cars. “They have a big auction every year, and we get a lot of famous people,” Taylor says. “In fact, even Jay Leno has come.” As the county seat, Auburn also hosts the annual DeKalb County Free Fall Fair during the last week of September, an 85-year tradition. Over the week, the fair features concerts, carnival rides, livestock shows and beauty pageants, all ending with a fireworks show.
Students attend DeKalb County Central United School District
DeKalb County Central United School District serves Auburn’s students and earns a B-plus from Niche. The four elementary schools and one middle school all feed into the same high school — DeKalb High School.
Garrett Middle School in Auburn has 376 students in grades 6-8 with a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1.
Garrett High School in Auburn has 572 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1.
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Strolling through Eckhart Park
Named after the original owners of the auto company, Eckhart Park is just down the street from the museums. A metal arch with its name marks the entrance, and from there, people can find sports fields, a disc golf course and a walking path. Tucked away in the northeast corner of Auburn, Bridgewater Golf Club’s sprawling green has plenty of mature trees to add to the difficulty.
Eckhart Park in Auburn is a 10 acre park that offers picnic shelters, a disc golf course, as well as sand volleyball courts.
The Bridgewater Golf Club in Auburn offers two outstanding golf courses in addition to our award-winning practice facility.
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Downtown Auburn's local restaurants and shops
Centered around Main Street on either side of 7th Street, Downtown Auburn offers a collection of local restaurants, coffee shops and boutiques. Over on the western side of the city, supermarkets and box stores sit amongst the hotels and fast-food restaurants along 7th Street.
Residents of Auburn can do all their home improvement shopping at The Home Depot.
Locals of Auburn can hit the local Kroger for all their grocery needs.
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Access to the Interstate and Fort Wayne from Auburn
Residents will likely need to use a car to get around Auburn. Main and 7th streets divide the city, connecting residents with retail and recreational amenities. Interstate 69 runs along the western side of the city, linking people to Fort Wayne, about 37 miles south. A railroad also cuts through Auburn, stopping at the various warehouses and factories. While it doesn’t offer passenger trains along the route, residents may hear the locomotives as they pass. In the winter, Auburn can get some snow, but the city sends out plows to clear and salt roads so residents can still get around.
Written By
Caroline Ernst
Photography Contributed By
Jennifer Rehkopf
Video By
Kyo Nguyen
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