Medora in Jackson County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Medora Shale Brick Plant
Photographed by Duane Hall, May 23, 2014
1. Medora Shale Brick Plant Marker
West Lee Wright laid out Medora 1853. Sample of local shale was made into brick “excellent for building and paving” 1904. Medora Shale Brick Company organized 1904. Construction began by 1910, one south of here along Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railroad, with six beehive kilns—round structures wrapped with steel bands and squared chimneys.
By 1927, ten kilns were at the site. Plant closed 1990s. In 1007, ten kilns remained. Medora was part of a large industry making a variety of clay products for agriculture, street paving, and building construction, which contributed to Indiana’s growth as a leading industrial state. In 1920, Indiana was seventh in U.S. for production of clay products.
Erected 2008 by Indiana Historical Bureau, Stephen Graves, and State Bank of Medora. (Marker Number 36.2008.1.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.
Location. 38° 49.518′ N, 86° 10.205′ W. Marker is in Medora,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Southern Indiana. It is also in the American Midwest 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 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Medora Covered Bridge (approx. 1.3 miles away); Bartholomew Trail (approx. 4.1 miles away); Site of Fort Vallonia (approx. 4.1 miles away); Driftwood Church and Cemetery (approx. 4.2 miles away); Fort Vallonia (approx. 4.6 miles away); Indian Ambush (approx. 4.8 miles away); In Memory of Col. John Ketcham / Time Capsule (approx. 7.8 miles away); All Veterans Honor Roll Memorial (approx. 7.8 miles away).
Also see . . .
1. IHB Annotations.
Photographed by Duane Hall, May 23, 2014
2. Medora Shale Brick Plant Marker
2. Medora Brick Plant Site. Comprehensive website with a history of the site and yesteryear and present photographs. (Submitted on June 3, 2014.)
Photographed by Duane Hall, May 23, 2014
3. Medora Shale Brick Plant Marker
Photographed by Duane Hall, May 23, 2014
4. Medora Shale Brick Plant Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 15, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 3, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 676 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 3, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.
