Fundraiser set to place a historic marker at Jasper State Police Post

The Indiana Historical Bureau recently approved a request from the Indiana State Police Alliance Foundation to place a historic marker at the Jasper Post.

This post is the last remaining Works Progress Administration (WPA) Post originally built in 1937 and is deeply rooted in the history of the Indiana State Police. The WPA was a New Deal agency that employed millions of job-seekers (mostly unskilled men) to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads to help the United States get out of the Great Depression.

In early 1938, the Indiana State Police opened Post 8 in Jasper. This state police post would house 20 troopers who would serve 14 of Indiana’s 92 counties. It was a state-of-the-art facility with a firing range, barracks, laboratory, and a radio tower.

The radio tower at the Jasper Post was one of five throughout the state – the others being Columbia City, Indianapolis, Gary, and Seymour. This new radio tower would bring in a new era of policing in Indiana – transmission of information to police officers was brand new with the creation of these radio stations.

The Jasper Post is being honored with a historic marker in 2021. Installing this historic marker will memorialize the Jasper Post’s history for years to come.

Once the funds are secured, the historic marker will be purchase and placed in front of the Jasper Post. The marker ceremony will take place at a date to be determined in 2021.

To donate and help raise the necessary funds for the post to be memorialized, visit https://gf.me/u/y769i6.

The Indiana State Police Alliance Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization.