Relocation of abandoned southern Indiana cemetery complete
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Crews in Clark County last week completed an effort to relocate the Poor Farm Cemetery at the former Indiana Army Ammunition Plant to a new site near Charlestown State Park. The River Ridge Development Authority says the cemetery was moved to “a more appropriately maintained location that honors the life and legacy of the deceased.”
More than 30 individuals were buried at the cemetery from 1923 to 1939. The cemetery became part of the Indiana Army Ammunition Plant in the 1940s, but the RRDA says it fell into disrepair as industrial and manufacturing facilities were constructed on the site.
The RRDA acquired the plant property in 2012 and talks of relocating the cemetery began as the old industrial buildings were being demolished.
The relocation effort was led by James Construction Co. in Charlestown and Louisville-based Corn Island Archeology.
Anne Tobbe, principal at Corn Island Archaeology, said crews spent nearly 11 weeks disinterring the 33 people buried at the cemetery to ensure every piece of human remains and associated items were recovered and preserved before being moved to Caldwell Cemetery in Charlestown.
“I’m deeply impressed with the reverence and respect shown in the completion of this relocation by project leaders at Corn Island and James Construction,” Charlestown Mayor Treva Hodges said in a news release. “Placement at the Caldwell Cemetery offers a peaceful and beautiful final rest for the residents of the Poor Farm and it’s comforting to know the location is protected from any future development.”
The RRDA says a total of 38 names were identified and inscribed on a new permanent marker at Caldwell Cemetery in remembrance of those interred at Poor Farm.