Sketch of Madison (City Directory)

Sketch of Madison.

Madison Directory City Guide, and Business
Mirror - Williams; Vol. 1, 1859-1860

The City of Madison is situated on the north bank of the Ohio River, one hundred miles below Cincinnati, and fifty miles above Louisville; it is connected with the latter city by a daily line of packets, with the former by two daily lines, and with Frankfort on the Kentucky river, by regular packets. It is also connected with Indianapolis, the Capital of the State, by railroad, distant eighty-seven miles, in a north-westerly direction. It is the county seat of Jefferson county, one of the most populous and wealthy counties in the State. There are several plank roads leading to different parts of the country, and communication is kept up with Milton, on the opposite shore of the river, by a steam ferry. Among the public buildings may be mentioned a fine Court House, the most costly in the State, two spacious market houses, several public school buildings, four banks, three fire engines houses, with complete apparatus and heavy alarm bells, eighteen churches, several hotels, a number of substantial and convenient wharves, etc. The city is built upon ground gently ascending from the margin of the river, admitting of grades by which the broad gravel streets are perfectly drained. Broad well-paved walks extend through the streets, with stone flags at the principal crossings. The city is supplied with gas light, and also with pure water at moderate cost to consumers.

The population at the last census was 12,000. Among the houses of worship are the Associate Reformed, Baptist, Christian, Episcopal, Lutheran, Methodist, Methodist Reformed, German Methodist, Presbyterian, (Old and New School,) Roman Catholic, (German, English and others.) Besides the Public Schools, which are open free to all within the age prescribed by law, there are several Select Schools, among which may be mentioned the Madison Seminary, the Madison Normal Institute, and Mrs. Hunt's Select School. Within an hour's ride, by plank road, in the pleasant village of South Hanover, is located a college of well-established reputation, with handsome and commodious buildings, and under the charge of a competent faculty. The Madison Library is kept open at all hours of the day, also the Madison Township library is opened at appointed times, and is extensively resorted to. There are four banking establishments; three local insurance offices, and twelve foreign insurance agencies. Madison ranks as the third pork-packing point in the West, there having been packed at one establishment here, upwards of forty-three thousand hogs in Dec., 1858. Among the manufacturing establishments are extensive flouring mills, starch factories, breweries, grain distilleries, flooring mills, sash, door and blind factories, wooden bowl manufactory, several foundries, machine works, engine builders, copper smiths, car manufactory, iron railing manufactory, brass founders, steam cooperage factories, tanneries, steam furniture factories, starch, candle, soap and glue factories, carriage makers, agricultural implement makers, fan-mill and saddletree manufactories, spice mills, also the Madison Marine Railway and Ship Yard. The wholesale houses here are able to supply country dealers at as advantageous rates as in any other city in the West. The vicinity abounds in building materials, brick-clay, limestone, hydraulic lime and marble, of which latter, specimens may be seen in the buildings here and in other cities.

The attractive features of Madison are the public schools, broad, clean and well shaded streets, the numerous and well attended churches, excellent society, abundant supplies of goods, great facilities for business, agreeable climate and comfortable living.

Transcribed by Ruth Hoggatt.

Madison Directory, 1859 - 1860