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

Georgetown

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 24, 2022

1. Georgetown Marker (side A)

Inscription. Free blacks settled in Madison as early as 1820. The growing black community began businesses and organized churches and schools in this area, later called Georgetown. Risking their own freedom, some free black residents here actively aided slaves seeking freedom. A few of these residents had to flee from Madison themselves in the late 1840s.

Despite the danger, after the late 1840s some free blacks in Madison continued to aid freedom seekers.

The Underground Railroad refers to a widespread network of diverse people in the nineteenth century who aided slaves escaping to freedom from the southern U.S.

Erected 2004 by Indiana Historical Bureau, Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology, IDNR • African American Landmarks Committee of Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana, Inc. • Eleutherian College • Historic Madison • Jefferson County Preservation Council • Cornerstone Society • Jefferson County Civil War Roundtable • City of Madison. (Marker Number 39.2004.4.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1820.

Location.

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38° 44.379′ N, 85° 22.627′ W. Marker is in Madison, Indiana, in Jefferson County. Marker is at the intersection of Jefferson Street (U.S. 421) and 5th Street, on the right when traveling north on Jefferson Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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. The Freedom Path (here, next to this marker); Frank J. Knoebel (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Beginning of the Michigan Road (approx. 0.2 miles away); John T. Windle Memorial Auditorium (approx. 0.2 miles away); Jefferson County Courthouse / Madison's Commercial District (approx. ¼ mile away); Washington Fire Co. #2 (approx. ¼ mile away); Little Jimmy (approx. ¼ mile away); Jefferson County Honor Roll (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.

Also see . . . Underground Railroad Network to Freedom: The Story of Georgetown District in Madison, Indiana. The Georgetown District, located in Madison, Indiana on the Ohio River became home to free African Americans as early as the 1830s, eventually developing into a network of Underground Railroad conductors and stations. This neighborhood became the center for the Underground Railroad activity of Madison as well as the focal point for the Kentucky mobs who attempted to break-up this community. The

Georgetown Marker (side B) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 24, 2022

2. Georgetown Marker (side B)

unique feature about this neighborhood is that the homes, churches, and environment that the freedom seekers, conductors, and abolitionists saw still exist today. (Indiana Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology) (Submitted on September 26, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Georgetown Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 24, 2022

3. Georgetown Marker

Featured marker is on the left. Next to it is another marker about Georgetown and the Underground Railroad.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 26, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 26, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 123 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 26, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.