Railroads; Railroad tracks; Inclined railroads; Railroad cuts; Railroad construction & maintenance; Madison
This is a view of the Madison Incline taken as workers removed rock to widen one of the cuts. Visible is a temorary narrow guage track used for transporting rock.
This is a picture of the roundhouse at the top of the hill (North Madison) along with several out buildings used for the upkeep and repair of the trains. It was situated nearly on the crest of the hill with what would later be called the "cut"...
Steam shovels; Bridges; Ohio River; Road construction
Here is another way steam was used, this time to the detriment of steamboats and railroads. It is seen chopping away at the hillside opposite of Madison, Indiana, where a new road is being made to connect with the Madison-Milton Bridge. The...
Construction was begun in 1879 and the intended use of the building was as a "school house for the colored pupils." In short order the patrons were unhappy with the location of the school. "The noise and bustle of business localities" seemed to...
The Madison-Milton bridge is advancing. It will soon reach the last piling. Notice the bracing and support structures used to reinforce the grid. The "Margaret J" is in the foreground.
Work sheds were placed along the tracks to hold equipment and tools. Workers sometimes took shelter in them. Sheds much like these were used to house hand-cars, also.
In the 1887 Madison City Directory James T. McCoy operated a livery stable in the building. In 1912 John Feurstien maintained a livery there. By 1925 M. C. Litson owned and operated a livery and in 1927 the sign above the door was Wallace...
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...
According to Harry Lemen, this coal oil wagon was fifty-three years old in 1927 and the owner, Paul Meyers, was its twenty-third owner. In the late 1800s and early 1900s coal oil, or kerosene, was much in demand. Its primary use was for lamps and...
The "Washington" is shown docked at Madison, Indiana, just above the Trow Flour Mill. On its sign you can see part of the word 'Perfection'. Perfection flour was shipped all over the country, and to other countries, by boat and rail. The mill...
The "Senator" was built in 1903 as the "Saint Paul," but she was rebuilt in Paducah, Kentucky in the winter of 1939-1940 and was at that time given the name "Senator." She was owned by Streckfus Steamers, Inc., out of St. Louis and operated on the...
Horses; W. H. Rogers; John Louis Spicer; Railroad freight cars
A horse and dray are used to pick up a load of paint for W. H. Rogers of Madison, Indiana. You can see the name on the side of the box car. There was no middleman here. The paint was loaded at the paint factory and delivered directly to Madison...
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...
Rivers; Waterfronts; Horses; Mules; Steamboats; Riverboats; Mail steamers; Passengers
This river scene depicts great activity along the levee in any typical river town. The "Columbia" is either loading or unloading her passengers. The horse-drawn carts near the gangplank were probably used to convey passengers to and from the boat....
The Fairplay Fire Company #1 was founded in 1841. Four years later Joseph Todd and M. A. Gavitt were appointed to write the company's constitution and apply for a charter from the state. In 1846 the city council recognized the Ones, as they were...
Photographers; Photographic studios; Riverboats; Gorgas, Joseph R.
Joseph R. Gorgas used this boat from about 1855 to 1858 as a floating photographic studio. The word "daguerrean" can be plainly seen on the side of the boat. Gorgas had a studio in Madison, Indiana for many years and was a sought-after...
The inscription on the picture says, "Sternwheel Towboat "Samuel Clark" built in Pittsburg in 1870, was used on the Ohio River until 1916 when the superstructure was removed and the hull sold to Maj. J.F. Butts, Carrollton, Ky., for use as a barge...
Sources vary as to who designed the hotel, though it is generally credited to Francis Costigan. The hotel encompassed 100 years of history in Madison. Another hotel, Fitzhugh's Hotel, which had been built in the 1830s was removed from the site...
