Madison in Jefferson County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Beginning of the Michigan Road

1832-1916

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 26, 2021

1. The Beginning of the Michigan Road Marker

Inscription. {Title is marker text}

Erected by John Paul Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1832.

Location. 38° 44.463′ N, 85° 22.816′ W. Marker is in Madison, Indiana, in Jefferson County. It is at the intersection of Michigan Road and West Street, on the left when traveling south on Michigan Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Madison IN 47250, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Indiana.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Ohio River Valley,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Frank J. Knoebel (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Georgetown (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Freedom Path (approx. 0.2 miles away); Washington Fire Co. #2 (approx. ¼ mile away); John T. Windle Memorial Auditorium (approx. ¼ mile away); Broadway Colored School / Broadway Fountain (approx. ¼ mile away); Madison's Fire Companies / Government Buildings (approx. ¼ mile away); Madison Historic District (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.

Regarding The Beginning of the Michigan Road. The Michigan Road was probably the most

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important transportation route in the fledgling State of Indiana. It connected the Ohio River to Indianapolis to Lake Michigan, opening the state to commerce and settlement. It was used by the pioneer, as a path to freedom by the runaway slave, and as the trail down which the Native American was removed from their lands.

Also see . . .
1. The historic Michigan Road. Website homepage (Submitted on March 8, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Michigan Road. Wikipedia entry:
It proved to be the preferred route to Indianapolis for 34 separate counties, even through the road went through only 14 counties. In 1836, the Indiana General Assembly passed the Mammoth Internal Improvement Act, which provided funds to pave the entire length of the road. However, the economic difficulties brought on by overspending and the Panic of 1837 caused the state to enter partial bankruptcy before the entire length could be paved. (Submitted on September 1, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 26, 2021

2. The Beginning of the Michigan Road Marker

The Historic Michigan Road image. Click for more information.

via Historic Michigan Road, unknown

3. The Historic Michigan Road

Website homepage
Click for more information.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 26, 2021

4. The Beginning of the Michigan Road Marker

(looking north from West Street/Michigan Road intersection)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 323 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 1, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 3. submitted on December 23, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4. submitted on September 1, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.