The Bridges of Madison Railroad is a book dedicated as a capstone to the 40 years of history of the Madison Railroad. It also caps the 182 years since construction began at North Madison, IN and celebrates all those who fought to keep her alive and breathing when it appeared all hope was lost. The interesting thing about a row of dominoes, much like history, is if any one domino is missing, it simply stops. The history of so many railroads did just that, stopped. So many times during the history of Indiana's first railroad there were multiple opportunities for all to be lost. Well done, good and faithful servants, well done indeed.In cooperation with Madison Railroad, the author, Charlie Wise, reprises the character of Ol' John Brough, a major player in the journey and a true piece of work.
Carved from the Connecticut Western Reserve, Madison Township was formally organized in 1811. Lake Erie, the Grand River, and fertile land attracted New England settlers arriving by foot and oxcart. They cleared wooded land to make way for farms and survived Ohio winters in log homes. The discovery of bog iron created a boomtown near the mouth of Arcola Creek. Astute businessmen built smelting furnaces and ships. But when the iron pits were exhausted, both industries disappeared and so did the boomtown. Fertile land remained to support farms, and later a modern landscape nursery industry arose. In the 1920s, the Lake Erie shore was again discovered--this time by land developers and summer vacationers. Over the past 200 years, Madison's families built businesses, beautiful homes, schools, and churches. They left a historic legacy that remains to be enjoyed today.
Throughout the 20th century, Madison progressed slowly from a rural economy to one based on seasonal residents and then to that of a largely residential community. The development along the shoreline that marked the first 50 years of the century eventually spread inland to the rest of Madison. From 1,500 residents in 1900, the population swelled to a suburban community of over 16,000. This book is a photographic journey of this growing town, which changed significantly following the completion of the Connecticut Turnpike. Images document commercial establishments, the 1938 hurricane, the Field Company, the Future Farmers Fair, and the construction of the Connecticut Turnpike.
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