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.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1820.

Location. 38° 44.379′ N, 85° 22.627′ W. Marker is in Madison, Indiana, in Jefferson County. It 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.

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: 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

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

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 24, 2022

2. Georgetown Marker (side B)

(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.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Samuel Woodfill (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . . The Georgetown Neighborhood: Network to Freedom. Discover Indiana website entry (Submitted on March 2, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

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 March 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 26, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 343 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 26, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.