Old Vanderburgh County Jail

The Old Vanderburgh County Jail is a correctional building in downtown Evansville with two connected sections featuring step-gables, protruding corner towers, and a distinctive round tower at the center. The structure combines fortress-like walls with ornate stonework that creates a commanding appearance on the city block.

Henry Wolters designed the building in 1890 for use as the county's main holding facility and it operated in that role for nearly eight decades. The facility closed in 1967 as the county moved toward different detention practices.

The building shows how late 1800s America designed institutions to look impressive and permanent. Visitors can see the influence of castle-like features that made such buildings stand out in their communities.

A tunnel running underground once connected this building to the adjacent courthouse for secure prisoner movement without public visibility. The building underwent major restoration in the 1990s and is now home to offices, though interior touring is limited or unavailable.

The architect drew inspiration from Lichtenstein Castle in Germany when designing this facility, an unusual choice for a detention building in 1890s America. This European influence creates a rare connection between a Midwestern American city and a German landmark.