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Indiana has one of the longest histories of any state in the Midwest. French settlers first came to the area in the 1700s, followed by British colonists moving west. Some of the state's earliest settlements popped up around the Ohio River on the border between Indiana and Kentucky. One such settlement is the deeply historic town of Madison. This beautiful town was nicknamed "Princess of the Rivers" due to its major role as a stop for steamboats. Today, it has one of the longest historic districts in the United States, with 133 blocks downtown of historic buildings. Madison is filled to the brim with historic sites from the burial grounds of Civil War heroes, mansions, stops on the Underground Railroad and more. That's not to mention the many other sites in Madison, like picturesque hiking trails through waterfalls, the best view of the Ohio River, and cute toy shops and antique malls.

History and Heritage

Madison was founded in 1809, seven years prior to Indiana's statehood. It would see a lot of boats passing by the Ohio River of both goods and enslaved people being transported to Kentucky. Due to this, the town became a major stopping place on the Underground Railroad, a network of people and buildings working to free slaves. In fact, an entire antislavery college was founded nearby (Eleutherian College). During the American Civil War, many Madison residents served with distinction, including Col. Alois O. Bachman, who led a charge of the 19th Indiana regiment during the Battle of Antietam and was mortally wounded, making him the highest-ranking Hoosier killed during the battle.

Madison's population exploded when the railroad came to town in the mid-1830s to the 1840s, and it became the third-largest city in Indiana. Over time, however, declining river traffic and railroads built between Louisville, Indianapolis, and Cincinnati captured a lot more traffic. There is a silver lining here. Because of how Madison grew in comparison to neighboring metro hubs, the community鈥檚 older structures from its boom era were left intact. Downtown Madison is home to 1,700 structures included on the National Register of Historic Places.

Historic Buildings

Madison has been described as an outdoor museum due to its rich variety of architecture, many of which speak to Madison鈥檚 cultural heritage. It would be impossible to list every single building on the historic register in Madison, but here are a few that are definitely worth a visit. First is the Historic Eleutherian College, descended from the original Eleutherian College. This three-story structure was built between 1853 and 1856 and established by the Neil鈥檚 Creek Anti-Slavery Society, an organization dedicated to ending slavery in the US and to providing an education to people of all races and genders.

Many of the buildings in Madison date back to the earliest days of Indiana, such as the Masonic Schofield House, a two-story brick inn and tavern constructed in 1815 that would act as the Indiana Grand Lodge of Freemasons. Another is the Dr. William Hutchings鈥� Office and Museum, an 19th-century doctor鈥檚 office, which still contains old medical tools even 鈥渆lectrical healing devices,鈥� according to the Visit Madison website.

Then there's the Lanier Mansion, a Greek Revival masterpiece built in 1844 by banker James Lanier. No visit to Madison would be complete without seeing this crown jewel of the town. It's renowned not just for its gorgeous interior but also for its well-maintained gardens and greenhouses. The house has 30-foot columns with Corinthian capitals, along with views of the river and city, making it prime real estate no matter the era.

The Schroeder Saddletree Factory Museum is a fascinating place, too; it鈥檚 the only restored saddletree factory in the US. Saddles are the wooden frames of horse saddles, which were certainly a highly valued commodity during the factory鈥檚 heyday during the 19th century. True history buffs will also want to look beyond the houses to other sites, including the 1844 Springdale Cemetery. One can find beautifully crafted marble statues along with the graves of Civil War soldiers, including Col. Bachman.

Outdoors

Madison is nestled by rolling hills and limestone bluffs that inspired early pioneers to the area. They also make for great views for those who enjoy hiking. Thankfully, Madison has one of the most beautiful parks in Indiana: Clifty Falls State Park. This park has multiple waterfalls that cascade over the limestone cliffs. By taking the Four Falls Challenge, hikers can enjoy a four-mile journey that includes a 600-foot long tunnel. The park offers many trails ranging from three-quarters of a mile to 4.5 miles, so both casual and veteran hikers will find something to enjoy. For those who prefer river views, nearby Hanover College is a local favorite. Here one can enjoy trails in and around the university and through river bluffs. Most notably is The Point, the only place from which to see all three bends of the Ohio River. If you鈥檙e looking for a place to run or ride your bike, the Madison Heritage Trail and Hatcher Hill Trail are just inside the town limits.

Shopping and Eating

Madison prides itself on its diversity of small shops and businesses. It is a particularly good town for antique hunters, as there are multiple antique shops. These include the large Lumber Mill Antique Mall and RiverWest Antique Mall, plus smaller establishments like Pennilane Antiques, Madison Buy Sell Trade and WOW! What a Find that resells art, jewelry, furniture and much more. If you鈥檙e looking for something to bring home to the kids, McWhiggins Wonder Emporium has you covered with its large collection of classic and modern toys.

When it comes to eating and drinking, Madison has a lot of options, with a lot of history behind it. Madison was a big beer-brewing center from 1818 to 1918, but Prohibition dried up the town. However, with the craft beer explosion, brewers have returned to Madison and aim to provide new tastes that pay homage to the town鈥檚 heritage. New Madison Brewing Company has 12 styles on tap and took its name from Madison Brewing Co. which shut down during Prohibition.

After grabbing a beer, you鈥檒l want to get a bite to eat at one of the many cute restaurants, such as the family-owned Red Pepperoni, which sells affordable pizza, wings and other food staples. The nearby Red Pepper Deli & Caf茅 offers sandwiches, salads and soups. If you鈥檙e looking for a fancy dining experience, The River Oak Chophouse provides gourmet steaks and seafood.

Visit Madison, Indiana

Historic districts have a way of transporting you to the past. As you walk by these buildings or explore inside them, it鈥檚 easy to imagine what life was like before electricity or other modern conveniences. Madison combines a massive historic district with plenty of modern amenities from craft beer to great food. This town proudly maintains its historical heritage and its connection to the natural wonders of the Ohio River and its limestone cliffs. It鈥檚 a perfect town for anyone looking for a weekend getaway in the Hoosier state of Indiana.