Indiana Soldiers' and Sailors' Children's Home

The Indiana Soldiers' and Sailors' Children's Home is a historic complex spread across 419 acres near Knightstown, housing dormitories, school buildings, a hospital, and working facilities like a dairy farm and barber shop. The site comprises multiple residential areas, agricultural spaces, and educational structures arranged across the expansive grounds.

Governor Oliver Morton founded this institution in 1865 to serve children orphaned by the Civil War, giving young relatives of Union Army soldiers a place to live and learn. The complex operated for over a century before closing in 2009, ending its long history of caring for vulnerable youth.

The campus operated as a self-contained community where students learned trades and academics side by side, creating a place where education and daily labor were deeply connected. This model reflected a belief that young people could thrive through purposeful work and structured learning together.

Visitors should be aware that the grounds are quite large and spread out, requiring comfortable walking shoes and time to explore different areas properly. The site's rural location near Knightstown means planning transportation ahead and checking access conditions before arrival.

The facility's design deliberately separated boys and girls by a central lake, with each group occupying opposite residential areas to maintain strict gender boundaries within the complex. This physical arrangement made the institution's approach to managing the population clearly visible in how the landscape itself was organized.

Location: Rush County

Inception: 1865

GPS coordinates: 39.76667,-85.51667

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:30