Randolph Township in Rising Sun in Ohio County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

“Hoosier Boy”

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 29, 2023

1. “Hoosier Boy” Marker

Inscription. The Hoosier Boy hydroplane was built by J.W. Whitlock. In 1924, Whitlock raced the watercraft roundtrip from Cincinnati to Louisville. The 267-minute, 49-second record for the 267-mile course still stands. The boat and many Whitlock inventions are displayed in the Ohio County Museum.

Erected by The Waters of Rising Sun (sponsor).

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1924.

Location. 38° 56.785′ N, 84° 51.125′ W. Marker is in Rising Sun, Indiana, in Ohio County. It is in Randolph Township. It can be reached from the intersection of South Front Street and 2nd Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is on the sidewalk along the riverfront near the pedestrian archway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rising Sun IN 47040, 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: Rising Sun Regatta (here, next to this marker); American Legion (here, next to this marker); 1937 Ohio River Flood (a few steps from this marker); John James (a few steps from this marker); Main Street Coal Yard (a few steps from this marker); Rising Sun Centennial (within shouting distance

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of this marker); Cass-Union Consolidated School (within shouting distance of this marker); Rising Sun Airport (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rising Sun.

Regarding “Hoosier Boy”. Whitlock and Hoosier Boy, powered by a 12-cylinder, 400-horsepower aircraft engine, set the record on October 9, 1924. It likely will never be equaled or broken because dams have since been built on the river between the cities.

Historical Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker

2. Historical Marker

The markers lay flat in the sidewalk.

John William "Row" Whitlock (1871-1935) image. Click for full size.

via Indiana Bicentennial Commission

3. John William "Row" Whitlock (1871-1935)

Whitlock is seen aboard "Hoosier Boy," a speedboat he built and steered to an unbreakable Ohio River speed record in 1924.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 8, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 347 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 8, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 2. submitted on June 30, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3. submitted on May 8, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.