Garrett is a city in DeKalb County with a small-town atmosphere
Garrett, a historic railroad community, was named after former B&O president John W. Garrett. The city was a hub for steam locomotives, which is celebrated with a large train mural in the community’s downtown. Since then, the main industry has transitioned to manufacturing, which helps support the population of approximately 6,700. “It’s a small town that is community-oriented. I grew up and graduated there,” says RE/MAX Results associate broker Tina Stuckey, who has about five years of expertise in the area. Downtown Garrett is the heart of the city, featuring buildings that date to the 1880s. Residents gather at the retail district for local businesses and festive events.
Historic downtown Garrett's local retail includes hardware and books
Randolph Street, the city’s walkable downtown, has historic Italianate storefronts that house an assortment of locally owned businesses, including Garrett Do It Best Hardware. Slow Burn Books, an independent bookstore specializing in romance novels, is about a mile away. Some of the area’s most popular restaurants include the elegant dinner spot Shorty’s Steakhouse and Chef Peng Chinese Restaurant, which serves authentic dishes in a casual setting. “There’s some nightlife happening there. C J's Canteena is like an old ‘Cheers’ bar; everyone knows your name,” Stuckey says. The area also has entertainment like the bowling alley, Garrett Bowl. For groceries, Miller’s Market offers a deli and more.
Bungalows, ranch-style homes and new construction in Garrett
Surrounded by farmland, the community is composed of grid-style blocks lined with maple trees and single-family homes. The lawns usually have sparse landscaping, like a few boxwood bushes or a magnolia tree in the front yard. Much of Garrett has historic architecture from the early 1900s, including Craftsman bungalows and Victorians. The edges of the city have small subdivisions of midcentury ranch-style homes and contemporary houses, including new construction. “I have brand new homes getting ready to go, about 40 homes,” Stuckey says. The historic and midcentury houses range from $120,000 to $250,000. Contemporary homes built in the mid-2020s range in price from $270,000 to $380,000.
Schools from J.E. Ober Elementary to Garrett High
Niche rates E. Ober Elementary School a C-plus. Garrett Middle School scores a B-minus while Garrett High School has a B rating. The high school’s course catalog has classes like Automotive Technology, Commercial Photography and Sustainable Energy Alternatives.
Events, including trick or treating and the Fourth of July
Garrett hosts well-attended events like trick-or-treating on Halloween. “It's kind of like the environment how it used to be — like in my childhood. There are more houses available for trick or treating instead of being limited to subdivisions. Businesses in the downtown area contribute to the community during that time,” Stuckey says. Garrett Heritage Day, celebrated on the Fourth of July, has live music, a parade and fireworks.
Recreation options from Feick Park to Garrett Country Club
Feick Park, the city’s largest recreation space, features a swimming pool with a waterslide on the south side of Garrett. It also has baseball diamonds and basketball courts. “There is also a private JAM center, a YMCA that’s locally owned and operated,” Stuckey says. It has an indoor pool and a gym on the east side of the community. In the northeast part of the city, Garrett Country Club offers a public 18-hole course.
Attractions like Auburn Garrett Drive-In and the Garrett Museum of Art
On the north side of the community, Auburn Garrett Drive-In is one of the most popular places to visit in the summertime, with double features and a concession stand. “It got redone, so they just reopened it. There was a big storm that took it out. It took three years to revamp it,” Stuckey says. The Garrett Museum of Art, located in a former bank downtown, has a permanent collection and traveling exhibits.
A 25-mile commute to Fort Wayne and more transportation
Garrett’s major employers include manufacturers like Mossberg Industries Inc. and ZF Active Safety US Inc. The community is only 5 miles from Auburn . Via Interstate 69, Butler is about 25 miles from downtown Fort Wayne . The closest major airport, Fort Wayne International Airport, is about 35 miles away from Garrett.
