The Bridge of Sighs

In The Fool's Progress Edward Abbey references the "bridge of sighs" attached to the back of the old courthouse in Indiana, Pennsylvania (498). The bridge itself has not changed from the moment Abbey described it, despite the old courthouse being transformed into what is now known as the National Bank of the Commonwealth. It is an elevated walkway that connected the old courthouse to the sheriff's residence which also contained jail cells. The bridge is roughly the size of a train car, composed of red brick with black bars over the windows and silver spikes on the trim. The bridge is positioned above the back courtyard behind the building. Abbey described it as the "bridge of sighs" because it is where prisoners were led to jail after their convictions in the courthouse. They were taken immediately to solitude as they walked across the bridge.