The original structure was a Methodist Church erected in the 1850s. When it was converted into an opera house, there was additional space added in the back for a stage area. A balcony was needed and a new facade was added. It opened in 1886 and...
The original structure was a Methodist Church erected in the 1850s. When it was converted into an opera house, there was additional space added in the back for a stage area. A balcony was needed and a new facade was added. It opened in 1886 and...
The McKee Home was built in 1846 by John Woodburn on the corner of Broadway and First Street. It was regarded as one of the best homes in Madison. It was lavishly outfitted with the best furnishings from Louisville and New Orleans. After Mrs....
The bell was cast in 1849 at the Garrett Foundry in Cincinnati and placed in the cupola of the freight depot in the same year. The bell tolled upon the arrival and departure of trains. In the early 1900s the bell was diverted to Richmond, Indiana...
Steamboats; Showboats; Riverboats; "Grace Devers"; Towboats; Tugboats; Levees; Otto Hitner
The "Cotton Blossom" began life in 1896 as a raft for a lumber company working out of St. Paul. She handled the large excursion barge named "Mississippi" at one time, was renamed "The Princess" and was then sold to the Barrett Line for use as a...
This is a picture of the dike at Madison, Indiana from the Kentucky side looking across the Ohio River to Madison, Indiana. The ferryboat "Trimble" is making her way across the river in the background. Mrs. Herbert M. Flora and daughter sit in...
The inscription on the old picture reads, "Madison & Milton Ferry Landing--1908." The landing at Madison and the ferryboat, "Trimble" looked much like this during the winter of 1917 and 1918 when some of the worst weather of the century hit much...
The formal opening of Dr. George E. Denny's new Hillside Hotel took place on June 10, 1924. The main entrance opened into a beautifully furnished lounge. The bedrooms were equipped in "the most modern way and complete in every detail." The...
The formal opening of Dr. George E. Denny's new Hillside Hotel took place on June 10, 1924. The main entrance opened into a beautifully furnished lounge. The bedrooms were equipped in "the most modern way and complete in every detail." The...
Steamboats; Riverboats; W. S. McChesney, Jr.; Diesel; Ohio River
The "Froman M. Coots" began life as a steam ferry built for the Wiggins Ferry Company of St. Louis. At that time she was called the "W. S. McChesney, Jr." She served the Louisville and Jeffersonville areas. It was converted to diesel-electric...
The formal opening of Dr. George E. Denny's new Hillside Hotel took place on June 10, 1924. The main entrance opened into a beautifully furnished lounge. The bedrooms were equipped in "the most modern way and complete in every detail." The...
The "Ohio" was a steam-powered ferry that began operating from Lamb, Indiana, in 1924. Judge C. W. Wilhoite of Carrollton, Kentucky, had just bought the ferry trade from the Ash family and the judge bought the "Ohio" to expand the ferry...
The newly built "Reuben Wells" sits at the Jeffersonville yards where she was built for the J M & I Railroad under the supervision and to the specifications of Master Mechanic, Reuben Wells, for whom she was named. Her boiler was tilted forward to...
In the early 1900s Marks and Benson, a men's clothier, began an advertising campaign that they would continue for over 25 years. Some of the rules and offers changed over the years, but basically when any boy, accompanied by a parent, purchased a...
Industries-Indiana; Nail industry; Tacks; Factories
The original building was located at 110-112 Depot Street and on May 18, 1899 the Madison Daily Democrat states "few that have not visited the interior of this mammoth concern have any idea of the immensity of the establishment." It goes on to...
While the Catholic Church had maintained various schools for its children from almost the beginning in Madison, these had been schools mostly of tenuous positions, depending on availability of teachers, resources and facilities. In 1905 came the...
According to library historical files, the original location was occupied by the market house located on the square which was on lots 69, 70 and 71 which had been laid aside for a courthouse, jail and public market place. The lots were sold to the...
Jennie Duncan (1855-1933) was for many years a teacher in the Madison city schools. She was born in Madison to David and Jean Duncan. Miss Duncan began her long teaching career in the little stone school building on North Walnut Street. She...
Lide White (1870-1967) was the daughter of Alexander and Jean Rankin White and was the youngest of ten children. She graduated from Madison High School in 1888 and began teaching the following year at Upper Clifty School. A few years later she...
