Old Jail Inn
Rockville, IN
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The Old Jail Inn, previously the Parke County Jail and Sheriff's office/residence served the county from 1879 to 1998. The Italianate building is constructed of brick, granite, concrete, and Indiana limestone typical of the late 19th century. The Jail was designed and built under the supervision of the architect who also designed the County Courthouse. Originally built with five cells and two holding cells an additional 2 large cells and a new front porch were added after World War Two.
The Inn, opened in 2009, has welcomed guests from around the world and the wine bar in the basement was added in 2010.
The Old Jail Inn is a destination spot in a county with three state parks, the largest biker bar in Indiana and the most covered bridges in one county in the world. Parke County is proudly known as “The Covered Bridge Capital of the World”. The annual Covered Bridge Festival held over ten days each October draws between one and three million people resulting in reservations at the Inn booked up to two years in advance.
Reservations are easily booked through an online reservation system on oldjailinn.com which will be transferred to the new owners upon completion of the sale. Included in the sale is one of a very few coveted alcohol licenses in the town of Rockville.
The jail now has 9 cells and comfortably sleeps 18 guests. Each cell is completely private and contains either a queen or king size pillow top mattress. During their stay guests are encouraged to use the original jail clothes and uniforms to dress up and take pictures on the premises. All contents and memorabilia stay with the property.
The Drunk Tank Winery in the basement is currently set up with two separate bars and a small seating area designed for wine tastings. In addition to unique and fun wine tastings the Drunk Tank also has a large selection of over 50 local and international wines including its very own private label “Old Jail Inn” red wine produced and bottled in southern Indiana by Huber Winery in Bordon, Indiana. A popular item especially during summer months is the rotating selection of wine “slushies” featuring flavors such as Mango, Passion fruit, Cherry, Blueberry, etc.
In addition to the jail cells there is a fully furnished apartment on the second floor with a private entrance that was once used as a holding cell for juveniles, a padded cell, and living accommodations for the Sheriff and his family. This apartment has been fully renovated with a living room, kitchen, dining room, bedroom, bathroom, and separate laundry space with a freestanding original clawfoot tub. This space could be used as an owner/operator “on premise" living quarters or rented out separately for additional income.
Included in the sale is a full-service beauty salon in what was once the original jail kitchen. This space also has its own private entrance allowing it to be rented or operated independently from the jail itself.
A new metal and rubber roof has been installed within the last year. There are three HVAC units which were all replaced when the building was converted to an inn.
At the back of the property sits a 20’x60’ garage which once housed the boiler plant for both the jail and the county courthouse across the street. This building is part of the sale and has been converted to a three car garage. It is currently used to store guests’ vehicles and bicycles. Since many guests arrive on motorcycles this is an added bonus for them to have their expensive bikes safely locked away and out of the weather during their stay in jail.
The Rockville town square is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Old Jail Inn/Drunk Tank Winery sits on the Southeast corner of the square. Not only is it a perfect location for incoming tourists but it also comes with its own website and Facebook page that has an amazing 11,000 followers and year over year growth has averaged approximately 12%.
The town itself has seen significant growth over the last 5
Property Details- 9 Guest Rooms
- 5 Guest Room Baths
- Has Owner's Quarters
- Built in 1879
- Last Renovated in 2009
- Opened in 2010
- Building is 7,176 SQFT
- Lot is 0.4 Acres
- Photo Gallery
- Property Website
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