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

Madison Regatta / Steamboats

Streetside History

Madison Regatta Marker (<i>east side</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 26, 2021

1. Madison Regatta Marker (east side)

Inscription. Madison Regatta
[east side]The 4th of July week is celebrated in Madison with fireworks and the firepower of unlimited hydroplane racing. Fast and furious racing marks the Indiana Governor's Cup, with boats reaching speeds of nearly 200 mph. The earliest power boat regatta at Madison took place in 1911. Power launches ran an oval course around the steamship "Princess" from Coney Island.

Steamboats
[west side]Madison has long been visited by sternwheelers and sidewheelers traveling up and down the Ohio River. These boats moved goods, mail and people, taking residents to Louisville or Cincinnati for special outings as late as the early 20th century. Steamboat whistles and calliopes still bring residents running to the river, and announce visitors to the community.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Sports • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1911.

Location. 38° 43.979′ N, 85° 22.803′ W. Marker is in Madison, Indiana, in Jefferson County. Marker is on East Vaughn Drive just east of West Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located beside the sidewalk along the Madison Riverwalk. Touch for map

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. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 East Vaughn Drive, 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. Bill Cantrell Memorial Race Course (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); From Pork to Port (about 400 feet away); Madison Historic District (approx. 0.2 miles away); William Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Shrewsbury-Windle House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Michael C. Garber (approx. 0.2 miles away); Schofield House (approx. 0.2 miles away); John Paul / Early History (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.

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

Also see . . .
1. A Brief History of the Madison Regatta. The earliest documented power boat regatta at Madison took place in 1911. This was also one of the earliest examples of competition as it is currently characterized around a closed course. The first boats to be specifically built for racing appeared in 1919. Among these was the famous Dayton Kid, a step hydroplane. The first major regatta to be run in Madison occurred in 1929 under the auspices of the Ohio Valley Motorboat Racing Association of Cincinnati. (Submitted on September 9, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Steamboats Marker (<i>west side</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 26, 2021

2. Steamboats Marker (west side)

2. The Madison Regatta. The Madison Regatta has been held annually for 70 years. We host one of the largest hydroplane races in the United States. (Submitted on September 9, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Marker detail: 1911 Madison Regatta image. Click for full size.

3. Marker detail: 1911 Madison Regatta

Marker detail: Today’s Madison Regatta image. Click for full size.

4. Marker detail: Today’s Madison Regatta

Marker detail: American Queen • 2009 image. Click for full size.

5. Marker detail: American Queen • 2009

Marker detail: Excursion Steamboat <i>Homer Smith</i> • 1915 image. Click for full size.

6. Marker detail: Excursion Steamboat Homer Smith • 1915

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 26, 2021

7. Madison Regatta Marker (east side)

(looking west along Vaughn Drive • West Street intersection in background)

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 26, 2021

8. Steamboats Marker (west side)

(looking east along Vaughn Drive • Ohio River and Milton-Madison Bridge right background)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 216 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on September 9, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.