Those interested in the historic Greenlawn cemeteries are now able to track the city’s archaeological excavation progress on a website launched in December.
The website, which is maintained by the Department of Public Works, features updates on the number of grave shafts uncovered as well as photos and information about artifacts the city’s team discovers.
As of Jan. 3, archaeologists have uncovered 130 grave shafts, which are rectangular pits dug for burials. A single grave shaft can contain the remains of one or more individuals or none at all.
A DPW spokesperson declined to say how many of those grave shafts contained human remains. The city anticipates sharing additional information about the remains found at the site after additional research has been conducted.
In addition to grave shafts and human remains, archaeologists have uncovered burial artifacts including a foot stone, a casket ornament and casket handles that were likely from the burial of a child in the early to mid 1850s.
The excavation is part of a larger project to connect the east and west sides of the White River via the Henry Street bridge. Indianapolis officials broke ground on the project in October 2024, and construction is anticipated to last two years.
In June 2024, city officials committed to fully excavating the portion of the project that falls within the site of some of the city’s earliest cemeteries. Previously, city officials said a full excavation was impractical if not impossible due to the long history of disturbance at the site.
That changed after more than a year of discussions between the city and community members, including historians, archivists and preservationists, who advocated for a proactive excavation and for transparency throughout the process.
The decision also came after the discovery of dozens of grave shafts containing human remains on a site adjacent to the city’s land. That area, which also includes the historic cemeteries, is privately owned by Indianapolis-based developer Keystone Group and is not related to the city’s bridge project.
In addition to archaeological updates, the city’s website features answers to frequently asked questions about the project and a glossary.
About Greenlawn Cemetery
The city’s Henry Street bridge project intersects with two of four historic cemeteries collectively known as Greenlawn Cemetery. The cemeteries are where some of the earliest Indianapolis residents were buried, including some of the city’s earliest Black residents.
The city’s site covers a small portion of the cemeteries, which have been subject to industrial development over the last century. Most notably, it was the site of the Diamond Chain Factory until it was demolished in 2023.
Most of the property is owned by Keystone Group, an Indianapolis-based developer that had intended to build commercial, retail and residential space anchored by a 20,000-seat professional soccer stadium. The future of the site remains unclear after Mayor Joe Hogsett in 2024 decided to pursue a stadium at an alternative site downtown.
Reach Mirror Indy reporter Emily Hopkins at 317-790-5268 or emily.hopkins@mirrorindy.org. Follow them on most social media @indyemapolis.
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