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

Lower Seminary School / Trolley Barn

Streetside History

Lower Seminary School Marker (<i>west side</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 26, 2021

1. Lower Seminary School Marker (west side)

Inscription. Lower Seminary School
Lydia Middleton Elementary School
[west side]The first school on this site was built in the early 1840s as a tuition academy. It became a city school and wings were added in the 1870s. In 1923 the building was demolished for the modern school, named for principal Lydia Middleton. In 2006 the building was renovated and expanded and continues to serve local school children.

Trolley Barn? Not Really!
[east side]Built in 1875, it was a farmer's market for 10 years. Then Madison Light and Power Company converted it to a coal-fired power plant, generating electricity for new city street lights. Trolley tracks ran down the middle of Main Street. From 1898 to 1919 the city's trolley was powered by electricity, with lady conductors collecting the 5¢ fare.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Industry & Commerce • Women.

Location. 38° 44.274′ N, 85° 23.29′ W. Marker is in Madison, Indiana, in Jefferson County. Marker is on West Main Street (Ohio River Scenic Byway) (Indiana Route 56) west of Mill Street, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located beside the sidewalk, directly

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in front of Lydia Middleton Elementary School. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 714 West Main Street, Madison IN 47250, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Crawford — Whitehead — Ross House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lanier's Legacy (approx. 0.2 miles away); Cravens Square (approx. 0.2 miles away); Madison's Riverfront / Underground Railroad (approx. 0.2 miles away); Public Library / Chautauqua (approx. 0.2 miles away); James F. D. Lanier (approx. ¼ mile away); Servicing the Automobile / Building Roads (approx. ¼ mile away); Railroad on the Riverfront / Madison's Iron Foundries (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.

Regarding Lower Seminary School / Trolley Barn. The Trolley Barn contributes to the historic significance of the Madison Historic District, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Historic Landmark. National Register of Historic Places #73000020.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Streetside History • Madison, Indiana

Also see . . .
1. Lower Seminary School. Lower Seminary School was built in 1843 and was used for rentals to private or select teachers for some time then

Trolley Barn Marker (<i>east side</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 26, 2021

2. Trolley Barn Marker (east side)

in 1852 it became one of the first "graded" schools in Madison. (Submitted on September 5, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Lower Seminary School. An article by Charles Heberhart in the Madison Courier on October 7, 1938 states, "The building was a large three story affair. It had one large room and a smaller recitation room on each of the upper floors and one large, one small one and halls on the first floor." (Submitted on September 5, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

3. Trolley Barn. During its 137 years on West Main Street, the building commonly known as the Trolley Barn never actually served as storage for trolley cars. The Madison Power and Electric Company moved into the building’s rear section in 1886. Coincidentally, the open interior plan made an ideal fit for generators and other power equipment. (Submitted on September 5, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Marker detail: Lower Seminary School, circa 1875 image. Click for full size.

3. Marker detail: Lower Seminary School, circa 1875

Marker detail: Trolley Barn image. Click for full size.

4. Marker detail: Trolley Barn

Marker detail: Madison’s Lady Trolley Conductors image. Click for full size.

5. Marker detail: Madison’s Lady Trolley Conductors

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 26, 2021

6. Lower Seminary School Marker (west side)

(looking northeast • Lydia Middleton School in background)

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 26, 2021

7. Trolley Barn Marker (east side)

(looking southwest • Trolley Barn in background, across Main Street)

Lydia Middleton Elementary School image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 26, 2021

8. Lydia Middleton Elementary School

Trolley Barn image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 26, 2021

9. Trolley Barn

Credits. This page was last revised on September 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 4, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 244 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on September 5, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.