The Armstrong Home
1047 W. Main StreetHistoryThis shotgun home was built in circa 1875, and is located in the west end of Madison that was incorporated as a village in 1888 before being annexed into the city of Madison in 1895. The shotgun style gets its name because the original design was typically a long, narrow, single-story house with rooms that lined up in a straight row from front to back without hallways, allowing for a direct path from the front to the back door.At the time this home was built, the village consisted of dirt streets and was the home to Madison’s foundry workers and those who made their living in the shipyards. It was occupied by members of the Siegel family from 1894 – 1967, and the current owner, Mike Armstrong, purchased the home in 2013.The root cellar under the porch was used to make home brew and wine, a hobby that wasn’t looked too kindly on.Renovations Addition of 2-car garage New hard wood floors added throughout Addition of central air and heating\ Expanded landscapaing and decorative fencingSpecial Features It is the perfect location for all downtown activities, festivals and of course, access to boating on the Ohio River.
Hospitality Site | Olde Tyme Marketplace
801 W. Main StreetRestrooms and RefreshmentsOlde Tyme Marketplace will be holding special HOLIDAY hours during Nights Before Christmas.Come enjoy some refreshments while holiday shopping for vintage and new farmhouse style décor for your home and garden. Don’t forget to check out the boutique and jewelry section while you are there! Housed in a former supermarket, there is much room to explore!
The Malloy Home
816 W. 2nd StreetHistoryBuilt circa 1870, this private residence was fashioned in the Federal Italianate style. Federal style architecture exhibits symmetrical facades while Italianante style features gabled roofs, wide cornices, and decorative brackets and dentils. The home is listed in the Madison Historic District Registry of properties as a contributing property, meaning buildings, structures, sites, or objects that add to the district’shistorical significance. The Malloys purchased the home in 2016 and established Failte House, honoring their extensive Irish genealogy. Failte means “Welcome” in Gaelic. Renovations Added the front entry gate, iron fence, and privacy lattice fence Completed extensive landscaping including removing a tree that had grown through the west side of the house Added a garage, deck, shelter roof, and car port Shortened the entry hallway to provide space for a closet in an adjoining room, which was changed from a mud room to an office Converted the fireplace with mantle to depict a period appropriate coal burning unit Added a new kitchenSpecial Features Tall windows and shutters allowing for better air circulation in the heat and humidity Wide wood trim over windows and doors, hardwood flooring, wide baseboards and crown molding reflect the style of the period. A Hoosier Cabinet in the dining room manufactured by Hoosier Manufacturing of New Castle, Indiana, that originally served as a cupboard and serving station since most homes of the period did not have built-in kitchens Decorations throughout the house represent Irish themes, celebrating their Irish heritage
Growing Minds Farm Stop
Now open inside Little Golden Fox, Growing Mind Farm Stop is operated by students and supports local farmers while offering fresh, wholesome food and drinks. Stop by to enjoy a taste of Madison's best harvest, and celebrate the next generation of growers.
The DorseyHome
613 W. Main StreetHistoryThis brick Italianate home was built circa 1868-1870 in a style inspired by Italian Renaissance villas and farmhouses known for their decorative features and vertical emphasis. The home was a collaboration between architects Alexander White and Robert Rankin. White later became mayor of Madison and is believed to have been the architect for the Walnut Street Fire Department in Madison and the Presbyterian Church in Hanover. The home was featured in the October 1988 edition of Colonial Homes Magazine. The Dorseys purchased the home in 2011.Renovations Replaced 14 radiators Renovated kitchen Refinished wood floors and staircases Removed wallpaper and patched plaster wallsSpecial Features Frontal gable which became popular after the civil war Full two-story structure with steep pitched gabled roof, decorative eaves, and scrolled medallions Small passageway running through a closet in the hallway allows upstairs guests access to the upstairs bath without disturbing those in the other bedroom Six-over-six Romanesque windows Stained glass windows found throughout, including the front door, transom, side yard windows, and the staircase landing A framed copy of the Colonial Homes Magazine article hanging in the font parlor displays the wall coverings, flooring, and window treatments as there were when the house was purchased by the Dorseys
Madison Railroad Station
615 W. 1st StreetIn the 1890s, railroads became the preferred form of travel in the United States and in 1895, the Pennsylvania Railroad built a new passenger station on W. 1st Street. Ornate for its size, it boasted a ladies waiting room, indoor washrooms, central heating and electric lights, as well as a distinctive octagonal ceiling, complete with colorful stained glass.Hollywood film star Irene Dunne would have passed through this station when visiting her hometown, and Spanish-American War and World War I soldiers would have boarded here on their way to—and return from—the front lines.When automobiles took over the transportation landscape in the 1930s, the station served as a freight depot and later as commercial office space. It was purchased and restored, and now operates as a museum at theJefferson County Historical Society’s History & Art Center.
Hospitality Site | Lumber Mill Antique Mall
721 W. 1st StreetCome enjoy some refreshments at the amazing three-story antique mall in the beautiful historic downtown of Madison! The building structure was originally the town lumber mill located on the river. Repurposed to an antique mall in 1990, the mill now houses approximately 70 vendors across three stories, displaying and selling their amazing treasures. Stop in for a treat and see what treasures you can find!
Historic Lanier Mansion
601 W. 1st StreetStep back in time to experience the magic and charm of the holiday season as it was celebrated in the mid-19th century. During the tour, visitors can see the “crown jewel” of Madison’s Historic District decorated as it might have been in 1850. Back before homes featured finely wrapped gifts stacked high beneath a sparkling tree, the Lanier family likely celebrated its final holiday season in Madison in a way that was more modest but just as beautiful.Highlighted by the festive seasonal décor, the Lanier Mansion is one of the best examples of Greek Revival architecture in the country and features dramatic architectural details, such as the grand spiral staircase bearing the signature on the newel post of Indiana architect Francis Costigan. Visitors can explore the home’s stately interiors accented with ornate plaster moldings and opulent furnishings in the same 19th century style.Commissioned by banking and railroad magnate James F. D. Lanier and completed in 1844, the Lanier Mansion is part of Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites museum system and is featured on the National Register of Historic Places.
Masonic Schofield House
217 W. 2nd StreetBuilt circa 1815, this Federal-style structure is believed to be the first two-story tavern house in Madison. The ground floor housed a tavern, a post office, and a general store in the entrance, a bedroom (now the parlor), a kitchen (now the dining room) and an upstairs room which served as a meeting place and a sleeping loft. It was in this room in January 1818, fourteen Masons from all nine of the Indiana Masonic Lodges, met here to form the new Grand Lodge of Indiana. In 1972, the Scottish Rite Valley of Indianapolis purchased the property on behalf of the Freemasons of Indiana, did major renovations to restore the authenticity of the historic structure, and presented it to the Grand Lodge of Indiana who now preserve and present the structure.
Dr. Hutchings' Office and Museum
Step back in time to one of the most authentic 19th-century medical history restorations in the U.S. Dr. Hutchings used the building as his office and dispensary from 1882 until his death in 1903. The site offers a glance at 19th-century medical practices through Dr. Hutchings’s medical records, surgical tools, books, other artifacts, and a restoration based on historic photographs. Between the two buildings, visitors will have the opportunity to explore the office and learn about the lives of Dr. Hutchings and the rest of the Hutchings family. At this stop, visitors will enjoy the “Hutchings’s Family Christmas” exhibit, a recreation based upon late nineteenth-century family photos and an extensive family collection. Many of the items on exhibit were exchanged amongst family members as Christmas presents between 1880 and 1930. Come to see the historic spaces and learn about the amazing people who preserved their legacy for generations to follow. The Dr. Hutchings’ Office and Museum is owned and operated by Historic Madison, Inc., a non-profit preservation organization.
The Kelley Home
209 Presbyterian Ave.HistoryAlthough the exact build date of the house is unknown, the previous owner, John Schering believed it was in the early 1950s. This two bedroom home displays the columns and symmetry found in Federal cottage style buildings of the period. The Kelleys enjoy decorating the house seasonally, and love a ‘collected, storied’ home. Their motto is ‘found, not new’ with many of the finds decorating the home being thrifted or from antique stores and estate sales. These are mingled with several heirloom pieces from family members. The owners refer to the house as a “hygge home,” where everyone is welcome and there is a feeling of warmth and coziness. With a large family, the Kellys are often the host to gatherings and have lovingly given the home the name “Anchor Cottage.”Renovations Added dining room, master bedroom with on-suite, laundry, and family room Pergola, desk, fencing, and carport Painted and added shiplap to the dining room and master bedroomSpecial Features Adjacent lot serves as the yard Some hardware throughout the house is original Arched doorways
African Methodist Episcopal Church (A.M.E.)
309 E. 5th StreetIn 1850, this African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church rose on Fifth Street, built in the Greek Revival style. Black ownership was a key component of the national AME church. This lot was purchased in 1845 by free Black trustees, including the Rev. William Douglas, who owned the brick house next door. That independence set the AME Church apart from the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church on Walnut Street, which was funded and controlled by white trustees of Wesley Chapel, who also hired its preachers.William Anderson, author of 24 Years a Slave, claimed he helped build this brick church although he became a minister at the Walnut Street church. He later explained that he left the Colored ME congregation because of pressure to stop aiding freedom seekers. He refused, saying, “In the Bible we are commanded to feed the hungry and clothe the naked, and no mention is made of color or condition.” Anderson eventually joined the AME church and was given a circuit, organizing Sabbath Schools. He built his second home beside the church, where his widow Julia lived into the late 1880s. Their small brick home was gone by 1914.Education was a vital mission here. A pay school operated from the basement at $1 a month with night classes also being offered for adults after the Civil War. By 1880, this congregation stood among three Black churches active in the Jefferson County Bible Society.In 1926, the congregation merged with St. Stephen’s AME in Hanover, and this building became home to the Pilgrim Holiness Church. Converted into apartments during WWII, it was then purchased by Historic Madison, Inc. in 2001 and restored in 2006. Today, leased to the Madison Reformed Congregation, this landmark once again serves as a place of worship.
Hospitality Site | Comfort Station
221 W. Main StreetRecently renovated, this convenient Main Street stop features refreshed restrooms, a small gift shop, and a new satellite Visitors Center operated by Visit Madison, Inc.
The Doolittle Home
428 Jefferson StreetHistoryBuilt in 1860 by Rolla Doolittle, this two-story brick home reflects the Federal Italiante style. Situated on a double gated lot just steps from downtown, the Doolittle House boasts original clay corbels, a rare feature among Madison homes. Current owners, Glen and Lori Schulte, consider themselves “stewards” of the home and are committed to preserving it for future generations.Renovations Restoration of the wrought iron fence, originally fabricated by Madison Ironworks Six-over-six windows were salvaged and repurposed to create an enclosed greenhouse for the homeowner’s tropical plant collection Redesign of landscape while preserving the historic brick walkways Restoration of the box gutters and corbels Large, walk-in pantry addition Upgraded all bedrooms and bathroomsSpecial Features Preserved & maintains original brick outhouse, although it is non-functioning Features original 10’ by 10’ round, brick-walled cistern located beneath the walkway 12’ ceilings, skillfully crafted moldings, and door casings create a sense of spaciousness Two of the five fireplace mantles, located in the dining and living rooms, feature pressed metal surrounds designed to radiate heat from original coal fireplaces Distinctive interior design elements including period reproduction wallpapers, fireplaces, lounge, and an eclectic pass-through space leading to the primary en-suite bedroom
The Rodgers Home
804 E. 1ST StreetHistoryThe original home was built as a shotgun house in Scott’s Garden, part of Madison’s historic district. The land was first recorded as sold in 1853, and the house is believed to have been constructed shortly after 1866, when the Voelker family purchased the property. Immigrants from Germany and France, the Voelkers raised eight children here and held the home in their family for 87 years. In 1880, after a foreclosure, Mary re-purchased the home at a sheriff’s sale, keeping it in the family. The Voelker family were devoted members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and all but one son rest together at St. Joseph Cemetery in downtown Madison. In the home’s 172-year history, only four other families have lived here, including its current owners, Ryan and Kelly Rodgers.Renovations: Front porch was enclosed during the 1950s, with Bedford stone added to the exterior A major addition, including a remodeled kitchen, new flooring, and updated bathrooms, master suite, and garage were completed in 2017, including the addition of large beams to create an open floor plan The stable floor was installed with plumbing added for a future bathroom and kitchenetteSpecial Features Decorative exterior trim on the front of the house The wall in the front room signed by the craftsman who installed the wallpaper in 1916 Plumbing in place for a wood stove in the kitchen Original stable still in tact
Historic Broadway Fountain
North Broadway & Main StreetBroadway Fountain, a Madison treasure, is a bronze copy of the original nineteenth-century iron fountain that was part of the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition of 1876. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows purchased the fountain and presented it to the city of Madison in 1886. Although other copies of the fountain can be found in Poughkeepsie, NY; Cusco, Peru; and Forsyth Park in Savannah, Georgia, the Broadway Fountain is the least altered design from the illustration in the James Kirtland Company Catalog. In honor of the nation’s bicentennial celebration, the citizens of Madison raised funds to restore the esplanade and recast the fountain. The fountain was rededicated in 1980.
