Fort Wayne in Allen County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Jail Flats

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., December 30, 2008

1. Jail Flats Marker

Inscription. Because of the often soggy conditions that discouraged use as either residential or commercial property, the area of Headwaters Park became known as the Jail Flats. The first jail in Allen County was a two-story hewn-log structure that was enclosed by a board fence, located on the southwest corner of the courthouse square in downtown Fort Wayne. When it burned in 1849, it was promptly replaced. However, after several prisoners escaped, it was determined that a better jail was needed. In 1852, a jail was built east of Calhoun Street across from the present-day building giving this area the name “Jail Flats.” A larger jail was constructed in 1872. When Benjamin Madden and George Keefer confessed to the murder of John Dunbar in April 1855, both were tried and sentenced to hang. They were brought from the jail, and two ropes were attached to cross beams overhead; both paid their debt to society with their lives. This was also the site of the public hanging of Sam McDonald in 1883, the last such execution in Fort Wayne. The condemned man had murdered his friend, Louis Laurent, and was hanged before a crowd of 250 curious observers.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

The present jail was built in 1981, continuing the tradition of a county jail in the “Jail Flats.”

Erected by City of Fort Wayne and The Charles Kuhne Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Peace • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1855.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 41° 5.183′ N, 85° 8.309′ W. Marker was in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in Allen County. It could be reached from S Clinton Street. Marker is one of a series that ring the Great Meadow in Headwaters Park. This marker is just southeast of the Hamilton Women Plaza. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 107 S Clinton St, Fort Wayne IN 46802, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in Northern Indiana.

It was also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

Great Meadow in Headwater Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., December 30, 2008

2. Great Meadow in Headwater Park

Several markers along path circling the Great Meadow, looking south with downtown Fort Wayne in background. Jail Flats marker is along path beyond the right edge of photo.

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Emerine Jane Holman Hamilton (here, next to this marker); These are the Hamilton Women of Fort Wayne (a few steps from this marker); League Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Duck Creek: Early Industry and Business Development (within shouting distance of this marker); Earliest Railroad (within shouting distance of this marker); Shanty Town And The Depression (within shouting distance of this marker); The Wabash & Erie Canal (within shouting distance of this marker); Little Turtle (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Wayne.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 13, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,834 times since then and 58 times this year. Last updated on May 2, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 13, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.