Columbia City in Whitley County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Whitley County Jail
Photographed By Craig Doda, June 12, 2023
1. Whitley County Jail Marker
The marker has been repainted and is at the Historical Society Museum waiting to be placed back at the jail.
The first public building in Whitley County was a log jail built in 1840 on the southeast corner on what is now the courthouse square. That jail cost $490. It was burned in 1855 by a prisoner awaiting trial.
A second two story jail was built in 1855 costing $5,244 at the site of the present City Hall.
This jail and sheriff's residence was erected in 1875 and occupied in 1876 at a cost of $34,486. At that time, it was considered one of the best jails in Indiana and a credit to Whitley County.
A portion of the fence that once enclosed the jail yard stands with this marker.
Erected 1975 by Whitley County Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. A significant historical year for this entry is 1840.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 41° 9.341′ N, 85° 29.221′ W. Marker was in Columbia City, Indiana, in Whitley County. Marker was on South Washington Street north of East Ellsworth Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Columbia City IN 46725, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Whitley County Courthouse (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Whitley County
this page online
Whitley County Historical Museum
2. Whitley County Jail Marker
Photographed By Duane Hall, August 23, 2013
3. Whitley County Jail Marker
Photographed By Duane Hall, August 23, 2013
4. Whitley County Jail
via Whitley County Historical Museum, unknown
5. Whitley County Historical Museum
Museum website entry
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Photographed By Craig Doda, June 12, 2023
6. Whitley County Jail Marker
Photographed By Craig Doda, June 12, 2023
7. Whitley County Jail Marker
Photographed By Craig Doda, June 12, 2023
8. Whitley County Jail Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2013. This page has been viewed 916 times since then and 57 times this year. Last updated on June 21, 2023. Photos: 1. submitted on June 29, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 2. submitted on August 2, 2013. 3, 4. submitted on August 23, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 5. submitted on December 4, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 6, 7, 8. submitted on June 21, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
