INDIANAPOLIS — Nearly 700 grave shafts have been found as the Henry Street Bridge project continues to be excavated.
According to a news release form the Indianapolis Department of Public Works, Stantec, the archaeology consultant for the project, announced that 674 grave shafts have been identified within the Henry Street right-of-way.
This site was part of the original section of the former Greenlawn Cemetery, the city’s first official cemetery that formed in 1821. According to previous reports, this was the largest burial place for African Americans in Indiana.
This comes after additional grave shafts were identified on the east side of the river. Stantec began its work to excavate the site in November 2024.
Officials said in the release that the number of grave shafts does not equate to a minimum number of individuals located. Determining the minimum number of individuals “requires additional research and lab analysis of recovered remains.”
Initially, officials estimated that they would find 650 shafts on the site, the release said.
“Our approach and commitment to the respectful excavation and reinterment of individuals remains unchanged,” Stantec lead archaeologist Ryan Peterson said in the release. “While more grave shafts have been identified than initially estimated for the right-of-way, this does not necessarily mean we will unearth a similar number of grave shafts in the areas still awaiting excavation.”
The release said that Indy DPW is planning a public meeting in July to provide an update on the construction progress of the White River Innovation District. This meeting is also expected to include information surrounding the archaeology work underway.
For more information about the project, click here.
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