Bridge crews unearth signs of Indiana’s 1st prison

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. — A project to build a bridge linking southern Indiana to Kentucky has uncovered remnants of Indiana’s first state prison.

The discoveries include flint used to ignite Revolutionary War-era rifles and foundations, trash pits and drains associated with the penitentiary.

Andrew V. Martin of the Lexington, Ky.-based Cultural Resource Analysts tells The Courier-Journal in Louisville, Ky., that his workers found the remains of the prison that operated from 1822 to 1847.

Indiana state archaeologist Rick Jones says it’s rare to find artifacts that haven’t been disturbed by later development. A trash dump, houses and other buildings were built on top of the prison site.

The items found at the site will be sent to the Indiana State Museum in Indianapolis once they’ve been analyzed. Their discovery won’t delay construction.