Sometimes getting from here to there demands a stopover or two! If you’re traveling through Indiana on Interstate 74, plan to stop at this one-of-a-kind museum. Just off the interstate, on Highway 231, you’ll find Crawfordsville’s Rotary Jail Museum. Yes, the jail actually spins!
Crawfordsville’s Rotary Jail Museum offers RV travelers a one-of-a-kind detour into 19th-century ingenuity. It showcases the only operational “rotary” jail remaining in the United States.
Brief history
Built in 1881, the jail housed up to 16 prisoners safely and efficiently. The two-story iron structure features a massive gear mechanism that still turns today for guided tours.
In continuous use as the Montgomery County Jail until 1973, the Rotary Jail now serves as a living museum complete with ghost-hunting events, art classes in the attached Tannenbaum Cultural Center, and rentable spaces for private gatherings. (Who wouldn’t want to get hitched er, married here? Ball-and-chain would take on a whole new meaning! Just kidding, of course.)
Revolutionary design
In 1881, architect William H. Brown and engineer Benjamin F. Haugh set out to revolutionize incarceration. Together, they invented a revolving cell block. Yep, each of the two floors in the jail revolves. The unique jail design was housed in the red brick-and-limestone sheriff’s residence and allowed one guard to watch more inmates.
A total of eighteen revolving jails were initially built across the Midwest, but only three remain. The Crawfordsville structure is the first ever constructed and the only one still capable of rotation.
How it works
The jail contains eight wedge-shaped cells arranged on two separate floors. There is a single door on each level. A cell can only be entered or exited when it aligns precisely with this door. The 32-ton rotating mechanism is operated by hand crank or electric motor and is still turned regularly for tours.
Visiting today
The Rotary Jail Museum opens seasonally:
• June 5–Aug. 28: Wed.–Sat., 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (last entry 4 p.m.)
• Sept. 11–Dec. 11: Wed.–Sat., 10 a.m.–3 p.m. (last entry 2 p.m.)
Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for children (6–11), and free for ages 5 and under.
Where to camp
• Crawfordsville KOA Journey (1600 Lafayette Rd): Offers full-hookup pull-through sites and cabins just 2 miles south of downtown.
• Camp Rotary (1745 S 325 W): A rustic county park, perfect for a quiet night under the stars.
• Sugar Creek Campground & Canoe Rentals: Combine camping with paddling adventures on nearby waterways.
Local amenities
Downtown Crawfordsville, a designated Main Street community, welcomes RVers with cozy diners, boutique shops, and fuel stops.
Nearby points of interest
• General Lew Wallace Study and Museum: Home of the Ben-Hur author.
• Wabash River Paddle Trails: Launch a canoe or kayak to explore Indiana’s heartland.
• Turkey Run State Park: A scenic 30-minute drive, perfect for hiking before you get back on the road.
You should go!
Indiana is a beautiful state and offers RVing visitors many scenic parks and trails. The Rotary Jail in Crawfordsville is certainly worth a stop along your way.
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RVT1210
I hate to ask but how did they handle the plumbing for prisoner potty breaks?
You’ve peaked my curiosity!
There is a jail like this in Council Bluffs Iowa. It was used until 1969. The turning mechanism was disabled. It is a museum today. It’s called the Squirrel Cage Jail.
Thank you for the story and history, Gail! I just saw a video about this jail or a similar one. I think Nomadic Fanatic published it on his YouTube channel. Amazing invention. Have a great holiday and week! Safe travels!