CURLY’S UNVEILS DECK
After 40 years in business, Curly’s Village Inn is now offering outdoor patio seating on their new deck overlooking the beautiful St. Mary’s River. The deck took nearly a year to complete, and has the capacity to hold up to 40 people. It offers seating on contemporary wrought iron furniture with additional seating available along the railing. An outdoor all-weather television was added for those who may want to watch a ball game while enjoying the deck.
“The deck will be a great place for people to enjoy a cocktail with friends in a tranquil setting overlooking the river,” says David Brown. “I think people will be pleasantly surprised once they see the view…it’s really one of Fort Wayne’s best kept secrets.”
Curly’s is perched above the St. Mary’s River, 4205 Bluffton Road at the intersection of Engle Road. The popular neighborhood Irish pub offers a complete bar, with authentic Irish coffee, Irish Mist, Michael Collins Irish Whiskey, and a food menu including burgers, tenderloins, soups, salads, and wings.
“We serve a lot of good laid back people. And this is as Irish as any bar in Fort Wayne gets,” says Mary Armstrong.
If you plan on stopping in at Curly’s they are open from 1pm to 3am Monday through Saturday. And remember…No Shoes, No Kilt, No Service.
More History on Curly’s
Nearly seventy years ago to the date, March 28, 1940, the Bloomington Daily reported that “Coach Branch McCracken and 11 of his Hoosier Hoopsters left Bloomington at 3 o’clock this afternoon for Kansas City, where they will bid for the National Collegiate A. A. championship in the final game against the tricky Kansas quintet Saturday night.”
Making the trip in addition to McCracken was Paul “Curly” Armstrong.
“McCracken concluded his local drills Wednesday afternoon…with emphasis being placed on the man-to-man defense, and quick offensive maneuvers. Although no definite lineup has been given for the Kansas game, McCracken indicated that he would start either Jay McCreary, Paul (Curly) Armstrong, or Herman Schaefer at forwards, Bill Menke at center, and Bob Dro and Marvin Huffman at guards. This fast-moving sextet has accounted for 769 of the total 901 points scored by Indiana during the regular season, with Armstrong the leading scorer.”a
Final score: IU 60 Kansas U 42.
Paul “Curly” Armstrong was an American basketball icon.
He grew up on Madison Street in Fort Wayne with his lifelong friend Herm Schaefer. Attended St. Paul’s Lutheran Grade School and Central High School where he led the high school team to two state championships.
Continuing his strength in basketball he went on to play for Indiana University in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Before he graduated from college both of his parents passed away. During that time, Mary Jo McCracken took Curly under her wing and supported him through his final years of college. Armstrong was a big contributor in helping IU win its first national title. Before graduating from college in 1941 Armstrong earned All-Big Ten Conference honors.
As a 5-foot-11 guard he signed with the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons professional basketball team in 1942, which is the Detroit Pistons today. Curly completed his second season, and then joined the Navy, returning to the Pistons in 1946, which during that time the team won the world championship. He played 11 seasons with the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons.
Armstrong was forced to retire in 1951 after suffering a knee injury.
It was then in 1969, that he bought Curly’s Village Inn on Bluffton Road, and it is here where you will find a variety of seasoned photos from Curly’s years as a basketball player. On June 6, 1983, at age 64, Curly passed away.
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