Eastside Industry & Business Walking Tour

Not long after its beginnings in 1809, Madison became a place of industry and business, even before Indiana became a state in 1816. Its location on the Ohio River allowed the development of ports for barges and steamboats. This led to factories and businesses popping up along the river. A diverse range of goods were processed and created here including pork, components to make clothing, furniture, and more.

Madison was the first town in Indiana to receive a railroad, further establishing it as a town of industry. It was built in the late 1830s between Madison and Indianapolis, later expanding to include Jeffersonville.

Madison is also located on Michigan Road, which stretches from Michigan City on Lake Michigan all the way to Madison, passing through Indianapolis. Built around the same time as the railroads, this was the first major highway in Indiana in the 1830s and 1840s.

Today, you can still find remnants of Madison’s height in the world of industry and business. Historic factories have been repurposed, storefronts have changed, but the charm of an older Madison remains.