The Only Working Rotary Jail in the Country is Right Here in Indiana
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Courtney Johnston
Author
Hoosiers know there are plenty of unique places in Indiana, like this stunning natural oasis or the amazing Indiana Dunes. Of course, some of these sites are man made and quite rare. This rotary jail in Indiana, for instance, is not only fascinating…it’s also the only working rotary jail left in the entire country.
Rotary jails were popular in the late 1800s, particularly in the Midwest. The premise behind a rotary jail was both simple and unique. The jail would be constructed similar to a carousel, so that the floor rotated slowly, allowing only one cell to be accessed at one time.
While the premise seems easy enough, in execution, rotary jails had their fair share of issues. Inmates often experienced crushed limbs or other problems that would interfere with the jail’s crank and pulley design. Eventually, the fad faded and all working jails were condemned.
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In the small town of Crawfordsville, Indiana, located within Montgomery County, Hoosiers can still experience a live, working rotary jail. This Montgomery County Jail, now known as the Rotary Jail Museum, is the only rotary jail in the country that still operates.
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This amazing rotary jail is not only the last operational jail standing, it was also the first to be constructed. This jail was opened in the early 1880s as a solution to keeping jails secure for both the prisoners and workers. However, in 1967, the jail was forced to close, its technology now outdated and called unsafe for prisoners to live in.
The jail was converted into a museum in the next few years, earning itself a place on the National Register of Historic Places in the 1970s. Those interested in viewing this unique structure can drop by during business hours (generally Wednesdays through Saturdays, from 10am – 3pm) at 107 W Spring St in Crawfordsville, IN 47933. To view more about this intriguing one-of-a-kind jail, watch this video:
Have you ever explored Indiana’s fascinating rotary jail? For more unique historic places in the Hoosier state, check out this amazing list.
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