From 1970 to today
"The Toughest Yard"
Head west along Main Street out of downtown Ionia and inevitably you will come upon an imposing structure sitting on a bluff.
Michigan Reformatory and its 30-foot-high brick facade overlook the intersection of Main and Wall streets on Ionia’s west side. Originally called the State House of Corrections in Ionia, the prison opened in 1877 and was built by people incarcerated in Jackson institutions who were transported by train to construct the prison.
After 145 years in service, the prison closed on November 13, 2022. Imposing swing gates restrict the main and auxiliary entrances, prohibiting vehicles and visitors from approaching the facility.
At one time, it was the oldest prison in Michigan. At one time, it was also the site of one of the earliest games in Grand Valley football history.
Read more from Brian Vernellis's story "The Toughest Yard," in Grand Valley Magazine, spring 2024.
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