Southern Indiana Unearthed: Quartermaster Depot

The red brick complex on Tenth Street stands out like the reincarnation of an old fort. A fort that has been turned into a combination park and outdoor bazaar. Lush, green landscaping offers eye-pleasing symmetry with concrete pathways, and a central two-story building provides the home for Jeffersonville’s city offices. 

It’s simply a pleasant environment – a place where you can meet a friend for lunch or walk your dog. Have a meal at Puerto Vallarta, or grab some barbecue in the distinctive-looking building that now is home to Big Ben’s D&M Restaurant. It also is home to China Taste, FastSigns, New Attitudes hair salon and other businesses. 

So, what is the history of the Quartermaster Depot in Jeffersonville? A visitor might miss the many trials and tribulations the depot has gone through over its long life.

Continue reading as we unearth 5 historical facts about Jeffersonville’s Quartermaster Depot.  

   1. The Quartermaster Depot was initially conceived during the Civil War and opened in 1874.  

Originally constructed as a military warehousing facility, the depot would go on to serve U.S. troops across five wars, including the Spanish American War, the Mexican American War, World Wars I and II, and the Korean War. 

When the Spanish American war began in 1898, the facility fully sprang to life. It ultimately saw multiple expansions and became a factory producing textiles, with civilian assistance, to the tune of 100,000 garments per month for the war effort. 

      2. No munitions were ever produced or stored at the Quartermaster Depot. 

“The Jeffersonville Depot at this time became well known to the Army and civil circles as the sole point of supply,” Lieut. Colonel C. S. Hamilton, Q. M. C., wrote in 1927, “for military purposes of such articles as animal drawn vehicles, harness and parts, except artillery, material, Army ranges, heating stoves, laundry stoves, field ranges, field bakeries and field equipment and parts.” 

In fact, at one point early in its existence, it was known as the largest shirt factory in America, providing troops with textiles, not bullets. During World War I alone, more than 700,000 shirts were produced there. 

     3. It was co-designed by a famous landscape architect. 

At the time it was constructed, $150,000 was appropriated by Congress to construct the depot on four acres of land donated by the city of Jeffersonville. The depot was designed by Quartermaster General Montgomery C. Meigs (note that Meigs Avenue leads directly into the depot’s entrance) and Frederick Law Olmsted (known for designing Central Park in New York and Louisville’s Olmsted parks). 

The original structure featured a prominent entrance and four walls, giving it the resemblance to a fort – a fort that covered four city blocks. 

   4. In its second life, the depot became "The Quadrangle." 

The Quartermaster Depot retired as a military warehousing facility following the Korean War. After, much of the sprawling facility was acquired by The U.S. Census Bureau, Kitchen Kompact, and Kessler Distilling, but the part now owned by the city was converted into a low-rent shopping center which then became known as The Quadrangle. An anchor was a discount furniture store, while many other businesses came and went over the years. 

As time wore on, the old depot wore out, suffering from decay, vandalism and arson. Then, in 1993, a massive fire destroyed much of the southeast quadrant of the deteriorating complex. Among locals, it was initially assumed the old Quartermaster Depot would finally be destroyed.  

Instead, the city purchased the landmark, and in the early to mid-2000s, a complete gut and renovation took place, creating the thriving facility we know today. 

   5. The octagonal building near city hall was originally designed as a segregated restroom. 

The unique structure, which is home to the aforementioned Big Ben’s D&M, also is now home to the welcome center for the Indiana African American Heritage Trail. Inside the welcome center and restaurant, visitors will find historic photos and documents adorning the walls. The barbecue business is owned by the Leavells, an African American family who share both historic and personal anecdotes to those visiting for their award-winning barbecue. 

The building was chosen as a welcome center in part because of its former use and its historic location inside The Depot. The trail itself is designed, per IndianaHistory.org, to “encourage the development of tourism-related businesses owned by African Americans—for example, food services, transportation, retail, and lodging.” 

Check out our Jeffersonville page for more history and things to do in this riverside city.