{"id":127760,"date":"2025-12-01T12:00:38","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T17:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/?p=127760"},"modified":"2025-12-02T09:41:24","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T14:41:24","slug":"honoring-fort-waynes-favorite-santa-phil-steigerwald","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/2025\/12\/01\/honoring-fort-waynes-favorite-santa-phil-steigerwald\/","title":{"rendered":"Honoring Fort Wayne\u2019s Favorite Santa \u2013 Phil Steigerwald"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/HistoryCenter-holiday.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"420\" height=\"105\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-127434\" srcset=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/HistoryCenter-holiday.jpg 420w, https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/HistoryCenter-holiday-300x75.jpg 300w, https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/HistoryCenter-holiday-150x38.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 420px) 100vw, 420px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>On December 4, 2025, the History Center will host Fort Wayne City Council President Geoff Paddock who will read a proclamation from Mayor Sharon Tucker honoring Phil Steigerwald.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>History Center news release:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong>Honoring Fort Wayne\u2019s Favorite Santa \u2013 Phil Steigerwald!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Fort Wayne, Indiana (December 1, 2025) \u2014 For decades, families in Fort Wayne and surrounding counties would make the yearly trek to Wolf &#038; Dessauer to visit THE Santa Claus, Phil Steigerwald. He was most well known for being the longtime Santa Claus at the historic Wolf &#038; Dessauer department store in downtown Fort Wayne for over 40 years and was inducted into the International Santa Hall of Fame in 2023. After his death in 2004, Steigerwald&#8217;s family donated his Santa suit and many other objects and images from his tenure as Fort Wayne&#8217;s Favorite Santa, which are nostalgically shared with visitors to the Festival of Gingerbread each year.<\/p>\n<p>On Thursday, December 4 at 10:30 am, the History Center will host Fort Wayne City Council President Geoff Paddock who will read a proclamation from Mayor Sharon Tucker honoring Phil Steigerwald. To mark the occasion, other local and state elected officials will join members of the Steigerwald family to celebrate his memory and legacy as \u201cSanta in Wonderland.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>Related Images:<\/h3><div class=\"ngg-related-gallery\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2009-holidayfest\/121374.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"The Festival of Gingerbread at the History Center on November 24, 2009.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='742be6922af52eea757f0f46c8469677' data-image-id=\"4737\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2009-holidayfest\/121374.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2009-holidayfest\/thumbs\/thumbs_121374.jpg\" data-title=\"Festival of Gingerbread\" data-description=\"The Festival of Gingerbread at the History Center on November 24, 2009.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"Festival of Gingerbread\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"Festival of Gingerbread\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"4737\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2009-holidayfest\/thumbs\/thumbs_121374.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2009-holidayfest\/121381.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"The Festival of Gingerbread at the History Center on November 24, 2009.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='742be6922af52eea757f0f46c8469677' data-image-id=\"4738\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2009-holidayfest\/121381.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2009-holidayfest\/thumbs\/thumbs_121381.jpg\" data-title=\"Festival of Gingerbread\" data-description=\"The Festival of Gingerbread at the History Center on November 24, 2009.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"Festival of Gingerbread\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"Festival of Gingerbread\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"4738\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2009-holidayfest\/thumbs\/thumbs_121381.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2009-holidayfest\/121388.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"The Festival of Gingerbread at the History Center on November 24, 2009.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='742be6922af52eea757f0f46c8469677' data-image-id=\"4739\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2009-holidayfest\/121388.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2009-holidayfest\/thumbs\/thumbs_121388.jpg\" data-title=\"Festival of Gingerbread\" data-description=\"The Festival of Gingerbread at the History Center on November 24, 2009.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"Festival of Gingerbread\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"Festival of Gingerbread\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"4739\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2009-holidayfest\/thumbs\/thumbs_121388.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2009-holidayfest\/121420.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"The Festival of Gingerbread at the History Center on November 24, 2009.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='742be6922af52eea757f0f46c8469677' data-image-id=\"4740\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2009-holidayfest\/121420.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2009-holidayfest\/thumbs\/thumbs_121420.jpg\" data-title=\"Festival of Gingerbread\" data-description=\"The Festival of Gingerbread at the History Center on November 24, 2009.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"Festival of Gingerbread\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"Festival of Gingerbread\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"4740\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2009-holidayfest\/thumbs\/thumbs_121420.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2009-holidayfest\/121446.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"The Festival of Gingerbread at the History Center on November 24, 2009.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='742be6922af52eea757f0f46c8469677' data-image-id=\"4741\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2009-holidayfest\/121446.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2009-holidayfest\/thumbs\/thumbs_121446.jpg\" data-title=\"Festival of Gingerbread\" data-description=\"The Festival of Gingerbread at the History Center on November 24, 2009.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"Festival of Gingerbread\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"Festival of Gingerbread\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"4741\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2009-holidayfest\/thumbs\/thumbs_121446.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2009-holidayfest\/121467.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"The Festival of Gingerbread at the History Center on November 24, 2009.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='742be6922af52eea757f0f46c8469677' data-image-id=\"4742\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2009-holidayfest\/121467.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2009-holidayfest\/thumbs\/thumbs_121467.jpg\" data-title=\"Festival of Gingerbread\" data-description=\"The Festival of Gingerbread at the History Center on November 24, 2009.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"Festival of Gingerbread\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"Festival of Gingerbread\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"4742\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2009-holidayfest\/thumbs\/thumbs_121467.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2009-holidayfest\/121505.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"The Festival of Gingerbread at the History Center on November 24, 2009.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='742be6922af52eea757f0f46c8469677' data-image-id=\"4743\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2009-holidayfest\/121505.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2009-holidayfest\/thumbs\/thumbs_121505.jpg\" data-title=\"Festival of Gingerbread\" data-description=\"The Festival of Gingerbread at the History Center on November 24, 2009.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"Festival of Gingerbread\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"Festival of Gingerbread\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"4743\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2009-holidayfest\/thumbs\/thumbs_121505.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/nkp-765\/img_4997.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Santa Claus and the 765 at the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society. Photo courtesy of Kelly Lynch\/FWRHS.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='742be6922af52eea757f0f46c8469677' data-image-id=\"4829\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/nkp-765\/img_4997.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/nkp-765\/thumbs\/thumbs_img_4997.jpg\" data-title=\"Santa and the 765\" data-description=\"Santa Claus and the 765 at the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society. Photo courtesy of Kelly Lynch\/FWRHS.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"Santa and the 765\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"Santa and the 765\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"4829\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/nkp-765\/thumbs\/thumbs_img_4997.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/nkp-765\/santa_765.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Santa Claus and the 765 at the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society. Courtesy photo.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='742be6922af52eea757f0f46c8469677' data-image-id=\"5732\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/nkp-765\/santa_765.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/nkp-765\/thumbs\/thumbs_santa_765.jpg\" data-title=\"Santa Claus and the 765\" data-description=\"Santa Claus and the 765 at the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society. Courtesy photo.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"Santa Claus and the 765\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"Santa Claus and the 765\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"5732\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/nkp-765\/thumbs\/thumbs_santa_765.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/145982.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Geoff Paddock talks with reporters after filing for the Fort Wayne City Council&#039;s 5th District seat on Feburary 11, 2011.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='742be6922af52eea757f0f46c8469677' data-image-id=\"5887\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/145982.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/thumbs\/thumbs_145982.jpg\" data-title=\"Geoff Paddock\" data-description=\"Geoff Paddock talks with reporters after filing for the Fort Wayne City Council&#039;s 5th District seat on Feburary 11, 2011.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"Geoff Paddock\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"Geoff Paddock\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"5887\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/thumbs\/thumbs_145982.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/148564.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Democrat candidates Geoff Paddock, Dennis Ferguson and Republican Ben Hall during the City Council 5th District Debate on April 27, 2011.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='742be6922af52eea757f0f46c8469677' data-image-id=\"6128\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/148564.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/thumbs\/thumbs_148564.jpg\" data-title=\"5DD: Geoff Paddock, Dennis Ferguson and Ben Hall\" data-description=\"Democrat candidates Geoff Paddock, Dennis Ferguson and Republican Ben Hall during the City Council 5th District Debate on April 27, 2011.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"5DD: Geoff Paddock, Dennis Ferguson and Ben Hall\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"5DD: Geoff Paddock, Dennis Ferguson and Ben Hall\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"6128\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/thumbs\/thumbs_148564.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/148571.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Republican Candidate Ben Hall, moderator Adrienne Maurer and Democrat candidates Geoff Paddock and Dennis Ferguson after the City Council 5th District Debate on April 27, 2011.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='742be6922af52eea757f0f46c8469677' data-image-id=\"6129\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/148571.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/thumbs\/thumbs_148571.jpg\" data-title=\"5DD: Ben Hall, Adrienne Maurer, Geoff Paddock and Dennis Ferguson\" data-description=\"Republican Candidate Ben Hall, moderator Adrienne Maurer and Democrat candidates Geoff Paddock and Dennis Ferguson after the City Council 5th District Debate on April 27, 2011.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"5DD: Ben Hall, Adrienne Maurer, Geoff Paddock and Dennis Ferguson\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"5DD: Ben Hall, Adrienne Maurer, Geoff Paddock and Dennis Ferguson\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"6129\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/thumbs\/thumbs_148571.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/151542.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Democrat challenger Geoff Paddock for the City Council 4th District seat at the &#039;YLNI the Vote&#039; Candidate forum held September 15, 2011.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='742be6922af52eea757f0f46c8469677' data-image-id=\"6239\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/151542.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/thumbs\/thumbs_151542.jpg\" data-title=\"YLNI the Vote: Geoff Paddock\" data-description=\"Democrat challenger Geoff Paddock for the City Council 4th District seat at the &#039;YLNI the Vote&#039; Candidate forum held September 15, 2011.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"YLNI the Vote: Geoff Paddock\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"YLNI the Vote: Geoff Paddock\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"6239\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/thumbs\/thumbs_151542.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/153475.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Candidate for the Fort Wayne City Council&#039;s 5th District seat, Geoff Paddock, at the former Humpty Dumpty site at Fairfield and Packard Avenues on November 2, 2011.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='742be6922af52eea757f0f46c8469677' data-image-id=\"6265\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/153475.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/thumbs\/thumbs_153475.jpg\" data-title=\"Geoff Paddock\" data-description=\"Candidate for the Fort Wayne City Council&#039;s 5th District seat, Geoff Paddock, at the former Humpty Dumpty site at Fairfield and Packard Avenues on November 2, 2011.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"Geoff Paddock\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"Geoff Paddock\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"6265\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/thumbs\/thumbs_153475.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/153477.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Candidate for the Fort Wayne City Council&#039;s 5th District seat, Geoff Paddock, at the former Humpty Dumpty site at Fairfield and Packard Avenues on November 2, 2011.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='742be6922af52eea757f0f46c8469677' data-image-id=\"6266\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/153477.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/thumbs\/thumbs_153477.jpg\" data-title=\"Geoff Paddock\" data-description=\"Candidate for the Fort Wayne City Council&#039;s 5th District seat, Geoff Paddock, at the former Humpty Dumpty site at Fairfield and Packard Avenues on November 2, 2011.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"Geoff Paddock\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"Geoff Paddock\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"6266\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/thumbs\/thumbs_153477.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On December 4, 2025, the History Center will host Fort Wayne City Council President Geoff Paddock who will read a proclamation from Mayor Sharon Tucker honoring Phil Steigerwald.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":72714,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[24878],"tags":[803,21750,23,30019,23465,40187,40186,8905,40188,768],"class_list":["post-127760","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-history-center","tag-festival-of-gingerbread","tag-fort-wayne-city-councilman-geoff-paddock","tag-fort-wayne-indiana","tag-fort-wayne-mayor-sharon-tucker","tag-history-center","tag-international-santa-hall-of-fame","tag-phil-steigerwald","tag-santa-claus","tag-santa-in-wonderland","tag-wolf-and-dessauer-department-store"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Honoring Fort Wayne\u2019s Favorite Santa \u2013 Phil Steigerwald - AroundFortWayne<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" 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