Sheriff's House & Jail

31 West Main Street

Built: 1879

Style: Italianate

In 1879 plans were developed to build a new jail to replace the one built in the early 1850s. The new structure incorporated a sheriff's residence and served both its functions until 1979.

The Sheriff's House and Jail was designed by architects B.V. Enos & Son of Indianapolis, was constructed by L.S. Wilson, and cost $20,000 to build. The Sheriff's House dominates the square-plan jail, which is constructed of stone slabs and located directly behind the residence. The roof line of the residence, with its short pyramidal tower, pedimented gable, horse-shoe shaped dormer vents, and decorative brackets along the cornice, is quite notable. The only major alterations to the structure are the porch which was added in the 1920s and the replacement of the original front door.