Bloomington in Monroe County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Monon Railroad

Linking Bloomington to Other Markets

Photographed By McGhiever, April 5, 2024

1. The Monon Railroad Marker

Inscription.

The Monon Railroad. Linking Bloomington to Other Markets. , Originally the Louisville, New Albany and Salem line extended through Bloomington in 1853. It was hoped that the line would link Bloomington to markets on the Ohio River at New Albany and north to Michigan City and the Great Lakes. Bloomington also needed passenger transportation for its new university., The limestone depot was the third and last at the site (1911-1966)., The rail line helped the growth of industry in Bloomington. The Showers Furniture Company and limestone companies grew as a direct result of the railroad. With their growth came the growth of banks and neighborhoods. Industries such as coal distributors supported the railroad and were located up and down the tracks., A ., B , ... C , ., . D , .. E . F .., . G , , . H .... I .. J ., , , K , ., L ., .. M , , N , . O , , , P ., , . Q , , ., R ., . S ... T , U .., V ..., W ., , X , .., Y , ., , Z , , .., The Telegraph , Samuel Morse proved in 1835 that electric pulses could be transmitted over a wire. He later developed a device that received the pulses and embossed them onto paper as dots and dashes - the Morse Code., To explore more about electricty and other aspects of science, visit WonderLab., Telegraph Poles , The poles on the east side of the trail are part of a telegraph and railroad signal system dating back to the early 1900s. The top crossbar carried telegraph and later telephone wires. The lower crossbar carried signals to railroad crossing protection devices and semaphores., Monon Depot , Railroad depots once occupied much of this city block. Early depots were used by the Louisville, New Albany and Salem line. The last depot at this site was used by the Monon line. It was closed in 1966., The second depot handled passengers and freight (1858-1911)., The third depot (1911-1966)., Background Photo: Monon train behind the Convention Center, Photos Courtesy of: , Ron Stuckey , Gene Cassman Collection , Indiana University Archives , Monon Historical Technical Society

Originally the Louisville, New Albany and Salem line extended through Bloomington in 1853. It was hoped that the line would link Bloomington to markets on the Ohio River at New Albany and north to Michigan City and the Great Lakes. Bloomington also needed passenger transportation for its new university.

The limestone depot was the third and last at the site (1911-1966).

The rail line helped the growth of industry in Bloomington. The Showers Furniture Company and limestone companies grew as a direct result of the railroad. With their growth came the growth of banks and neighborhoods. Industries such as coal distributors supported the railroad and were located up and down the tracks.

A •— B —••• C —•—• D —•• E • F ••—• G ——• H •••• I •• J •——— K —•— L •—•• M —— N —• O ——— P •——• Q ——•— R •—• S ••• T — U ••— V •••— W •—— X —••— Y —•—— Z ——••

The Telegraph
Samuel Morse proved in 1835 that electric pulses could be transmitted over a wire. He later developed a device that received the pulses and embossed them onto paper as dots and dashes - the Morse Code.

To explore more about electricty and other aspects of science, visit WonderLab.

Telegraph Poles
The poles on the east side of the trail are part of a telegraph and railroad

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signal system dating back to the early 1900s. The top crossbar carried telegraph and later telephone wires. The lower crossbar carried signals to railroad crossing protection devices and semaphores.

Monon Depot
Railroad depots once occupied much of this city block. Early depots were used by the Louisville, New Albany and Salem line. The last depot at this site was used by the Monon line. It was closed in 1966.

The second depot handled passengers and freight (1858-1911).

The third depot (1911-1966).

Background Photo: Monon train behind the Convention Center

Photos Courtesy of:
Ron Stuckey
Gene Cassman Collection
Indiana University Archives
Monon Historical Technical Society

Erected by Bloomington Parks and Recreation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.

Location. 39° 9.955′ N, 86° 32.164′ W. Marker is in Bloomington, Indiana, in Monroe County. Marker is on the B-Line Trail north of W. 4th Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 308 W 4th Street, Bloomington IN 47404, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within

The Monon Railroad Marker on the B-Line Trail image. Click for full size.

Photographed By McGhiever, April 5, 2024

2. The Monon Railroad Marker on the B-Line Trail

walking distance of this marker. Captain Kathryn Janeway (a few steps from this marker); Inns and Taverns Cater to New Travelers (within shouting distance of this marker); The Mobley-Buskirk-Hill Building (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Buskirk-Hill Building (about 500 feet away); Warren Henegar (about 600 feet away); The Allen Building (about 600 feet away); 107 West Kirkwood Avenue (about 600 feet away); Monroe County Courthouse (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bloomington.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2024, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 43 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 13, 2024, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.