INDIANAPOLIS — The Henry Street Bridge project in downtown Indianapolis continues moving forward.
On Thursday, Oct. 17, city leaders say they uncovered something remarkable near West Henry Street and Kentucky Avenue, along the White River.
Indy DPW tells 13News that crews discovered granite pavers and rail lines from what was once considered to be the first and largest electric railway freight terminal in the United States.
"That history is something that was lost over time and, as we begin the pre-excavation work for Henry Street, we've uncovered that, and so we're excited for that announcement," Indy DPW director Brandon Herget said. "We're excited to learn more about our history in Indianapolis as we begin further work at the site."
The site encompasses the former Greenlawn Cemetery.
Moving forward, the project will be led by a team of archaeologists.
"It's being guided by a community advisory group, so decisions we've made as it relates to contractors, methodologies, things of that nature, that's been under the advisement of the community itself," Herget said.
Eunice Trotter is among members in that community advisory group who were among city leaders and local historians that got to tour the site.
"This is sacred ground, and that's the spiritual feeling I have when I come onto this property," said Trotter, director of the Indiana Landmarks Black Heritage Preservation Program.
Trotter said members have been doing research on some of the burials and acquired burial records for about 1,300 names. She said a lot of the burial records have been lost, but they were able to identify burials based on race listed in mortality records.
"Some of those names include Morrison Greathouse. Morrison Greathouse was the great-great-grandfather of Muhammad Ali. John Britton. John Britton was the first grandmaster of the Prince Hall Lodge of Masons here in Indianapolis," Trotter said.
Chaney Lively was another.
Historical records show Lively was the first Black landowner, who lived with Alexander Ralston, who designed the Mile Square in 1821.
"There's just all of this history here, and one of my challenges and goals is to stop erasure of that history," Trotter said.
DPW says they will work to make sure that doesn't happen as they continue to move forward with the Henry Street Bridge Project.
The bridge is expected to be complete by 2026.