Indiana is no stranger to some strange and unusual places, things, and roadside attractions. However, what if we told you that there’s a roadside attraction that isn’t by the side of the road at all? In fact, it’s right in the middle of it. Tucked quietly away in Franklin, Indiana, there’s a grave in the middle of the road. It’s a little weird, sure, but the history behind it is pretty intriguing!

Johnson County, Indiana, was established back in 1823.

the.urbanophile/Flickr When a pioneer woman by the name of Nancy Kerlin was on her death bed, her final request was for her final resting place to be on the top of a lush, green hill nearby

Her wishes were honored, and when she passed, she was laid to rest in the place she requested.

Indiana Public Media/Flickr However, it wasn’t terribly long - less than 100 years - that she had been resting there until the county decided that they wanted to build a road - one that went directly over the gravesite.

Naturally, there was some contention about this - particularly from Nancy’s great-grandson, Daniel.

Claudia Heidelberger/Google Maps Daniel armed himself with a shotgun and met workers at his grandmother’s gravesite with it. Deciding that moving the gravesite wasn’t worth the fight he was ready to put up, it was decided that the road - County Road 400 - would simply go over the grave.

…and so it did.

Aaron Haney/Google Maps However, in 2016, work desperately needed to be done on the area, as there had been accidents and other mishaps in the area. Excavations began on Nancy’s grave to move her temporarily from the construction zone, and something amazing (and unexpected) was discovered.

It turned out that Nancy was not alone - not by a long shot.

Indiana Public Media/Flickr Also buried with her, or in very close proximity to her, were the remains of two women, four children, and one man. The man’s remains looked like they’d been dug up before and re-buried here.

The identities of the other folks surrounding Nancy’s grave are unknown, though it is strongly suspected that the site is a small family cemetery.

Aiko, Thomas & Juliette+Isaac/Flickr Of course, it isn’t without its rumors and legends; some say that Daniel, Nancy’s grandson, was actually guarding a crime scene of his own creation. Unfortunately, nobody will ever know, and speculation is all that remains.

Folks interested in paying Nancy and her friends a visit can do so to this day.

Greg Derylo/Flickr From Franklin, you’ll want to travel five and a half miles on US Highway 31. Then, you’ll go about a mile east on E. 400 S. It’s very obvious - you can’t miss it!

So, what do you think? Who are the people buried with Nancy Barnett?

the.urbanophile/Flickr

When a pioneer woman by the name of Nancy Kerlin was on her death bed, her final request was for her final resting place to be on the top of a lush, green hill nearby

Indiana Public Media/Flickr

However, it wasn’t terribly long - less than 100 years - that she had been resting there until the county decided that they wanted to build a road - one that went directly over the gravesite.

Claudia Heidelberger/Google Maps

Daniel armed himself with a shotgun and met workers at his grandmother’s gravesite with it. Deciding that moving the gravesite wasn’t worth the fight he was ready to put up, it was decided that the road - County Road 400 - would simply go over the grave.

Aaron Haney/Google Maps

However, in 2016, work desperately needed to be done on the area, as there had been accidents and other mishaps in the area. Excavations began on Nancy’s grave to move her temporarily from the construction zone, and something amazing (and unexpected) was discovered.

Also buried with her, or in very close proximity to her, were the remains of two women, four children, and one man. The man’s remains looked like they’d been dug up before and re-buried here.

Aiko, Thomas & Juliette+Isaac/Flickr

Of course, it isn’t without its rumors and legends; some say that Daniel, Nancy’s grandson, was actually guarding a crime scene of his own creation. Unfortunately, nobody will ever know, and speculation is all that remains.

Greg Derylo/Flickr

From Franklin, you’ll want to travel five and a half miles on US Highway 31. Then, you’ll go about a mile east on E. 400 S. It’s very obvious - you can’t miss it!

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Address: 6844 E 400 S, Franklin, IN 46131, USA