The first water system for Madison was built between 1814 and 1817. While it did not serve everyone in the city it must have been a monumental achievement for such an early age. The first water ducts were hollowed out logs fitted into each other...
United States Army in World War II. War in the Pacific; Soldiers--Correspondence; World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives; Japanese; Food; World War, 1939-1945--Europe--End
James tells about encounters with the Japanese. He asks about Franks watermelon patch and would like to have some food made by Dorothy. He has gotten some fresh vegetables which is nice after eating dehydrated food. He talks of changes at home and...
This is a ledger of the tolls received at Middle Toll Gate in Clark County, Indiana from 1867-1890. The Charlestown and Jeffersonville Turnpike Company managed the toll gate. The ledger was recorded by Thomas F. Prather, W.M. Gibson, A.J. Hay, J.B....
In the Madison Courier, October 3, 1938, were these headlines, "New Ohio Theater Contains Most Modern Equipment Available." With this declaration, the Ohio Theater opened its doors to Madisonians. It was proclaimed to be the finest theater in...
This image shows firemen working on a hose in order to spray the fire that is spitting out of the windows of the Tavern Hotel, which they are standing in front of.
A letter to Milroy's wife, Mary, letting her know that he did receive word of Grimes' death and the details of his will. He relates his disappointment that the Milroy children were left out of the will. He gives instruction to Mary on Ella's...
Street railroad facilities; Union Traction Company of Indiana
The Union Traction Company of Indiana grew out of an interurban line between Anderson and Alexandria into a system of street railroads that served the central third of Indiana and maintained about 400 miles of track. Company offices were located...
Stratton-Porter, Gene, 1863-1924; Porter, Jeannette 1867-1977; Porter, Charles D., 1850-1926; Schenbeck, Mary "Mamie" Hawbaker, 1888-1992; Limberlost Cabin-Geneva-Adams County (Ind.); Limberlost Swamp (Ind.)
Compare this photograph with 20092061-large, entitled, Fishing for minnows. The photographs may have been taken the same day. Gene loved the out of doors and would often talk of the beauty of snaky rail fences.
Kathy Hoch analyses Gene Stratton-Porter's life and literary works determining that while she developed her own talents and interests, she was not a suffragette. Gene trusted her own judgment and quietly did what she set out to do.
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...
Steamboats; Riverboats; Madison, Indiana; Rivers; "Kentucky"; "East St. Louis"
Here the "Kentucky" and "East St. Louis" pass Madison, Indiana. You can find out more about the boats by using the search feature and typing in the name of each boat.
If the "Delta Queen" was the swan of the Ohio, then the "Kentucky" was the Little Mud Hen. According to Way's Packet Directory, "the cabin was shifted out of plumb and leaned in a uniform stagger creating an optical illusion seen nowhere else...
Steamboats; Riverboats; Excursion boats; "Belle of Louisville"; "Avalon"; Ferries; USO clubs; Rose Island
Built in 1914 this boat went by the name Idlewild from that date to 1947. She then became the Avalon from 1947 to 1962 when she was dubbed "Belle of Louisville". She is a shallow draft boat which enables her to glide over water that would not be...
The "America" was built at Jeffersonville as a packet boat. Her hull and machinery came from the "Indiana" which had burned at Cincinnati on May 1, 1916. She was later remodeled to a full-fledged excursion boat operating mostly out of...
