On Hartford Pike at Old State Road 56, on the right when traveling north on Hartford Pike.
Who would think that a country road would hold so much history? Old State Highway 56 takes you past the historic Speakman-Tallentire house and to a famous bridge.
Elderly Stephen S. Speakman was in love with a young Kentucky belle who agreed . . . — — Map (db m66899) HM
On Fourth Street at North Poplar Street, on the left when traveling east on Fourth Street.
African American Samuel Barkshire was freed from slavery in Boone County, Kentucky in 1833. He and his family moved here in 1836. The Barkshires defied fugitive slave laws to provide aid and comfort to those escaping bondage in the South. Their . . . — — Map (db m180716) HM
On 5th Street west of North Front Street, on the right when traveling west.
Like so many of the early American settlers, John and Jane Fulton, along with their family, traveled the Ohio River via a flatboat in search of a better life. One night in 1798, they pulled on shore to spend the night and upon waking they saw the . . . — — Map (db m201076) HM
On Old State Road 56, 0.2 miles north of Hartford Pike, on the left when traveling north.
On Aug. 24, 1781, Col. Archibald Lochry and 107 recruits for Gen. Clark were ambushed at Lochry Creek by Joseph Brant's raiders. One-third were killed, the rest captured. Lochry and the wounded were later murdered. — — Map (db m243826) HM
On Main Street (State Road 262) at South Mulberry Street, on the right when traveling east on Main Street.
Indiana’s oldest in continuous use. In its northeast corner was deposited the first court house cornerstone in the State laid with Masonic ceremonies. Traditional rites were held July 4, 1844, Colonel Abel C. Pepper, P.G.M., officiating. — — Map (db m45996) HM
On Main Street (State Road 262) at South Mulberry Street, on the right when traveling east on Main Street.
Dedicated to the memory of those who made the Supreme Sacrifice for their Country and in Honor of those that served in the Armed Forces from Ohio County in all wars — — Map (db m45892) WM
On Main Street (State Road 262) east of South Mulberry Street, on the right when traveling east.
( Veterans Memorial )
( Front - Side )
In Honor of Ohio County Veterans
( Encircling - - Seals - - Branches of the United States Military )
( - United States Flag - )
Dedicated
November 11, 2000
( . . . — — Map (db m45980) WM
Near South Front Street at 2nd Street, on the right when traveling north.
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 . . . — — Map (db m222584) HM
On South Front Street south of Main Street, on the right when traveling south.
Built in 1817 by steamboat captain and boat owner Daniel Brown. This building has a long and interesting history. Rumors and suspicions abounded that Captain Brown counterfeited United States Bank notes. While in New Orleans he was arrested and . . . — — Map (db m222418) HM
On South Front Street south of Main Street, on the right when traveling south.
John Fulton and his wife, along with their sons Samuel and Thomas and families, became the first to settle in what would become Rising Sun in 1798. Thomas Fulton, cousin to Robert Fulton of steamboat fame, built this log house.
John Lanius . . . — — Map (db m222429) HM
Near South Front Street at 2nd Street, on the right when traveling north.
The worst flood in Rising Sun's history peaked on Jan. 26, 1937. Official river readings upstream in Cincinnati gauged the crest at 80.0 feet. Downstream at Markland, the recorded high-water mark was 76.1 feet. Damage was extensive along the entire . . . — — Map (db m222602) HM
Near South Front Street north of 1st Street, on the right when traveling north.
On April 3, 1974, an F4 tornado touched down northeast of Madison and caused local damage from Bear Branch to Milton. An F5 twister (with winds over 261 mph) touched down two miles north of Rising Sun and later caused three deaths plus 210 injuries . . . — — Map (db m222676) HM
On Main Street east of North Walnut Street, on the left when traveling east.
This 1897 (c) Italianate commercial building was built by Harvey Scranton Simon Beyener. Early in the 1900s it was the location of the Rising Sun Post Office and the Rising Sun Recorder Printing office. Documentation states that the United . . . — — Map (db m222706) HM
Near South Front Street at 2nd Street, on the right when traveling north.
Established in 1919, the American Legion is a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness and committed to justice, freedom, democracy and loyalty. The Rising Sun Post has a proud tradition of servicing God, country, community, . . . — — Map (db m222583) HM
Near South Front Street north of 2nd Street, on the right when traveling north.
A revolt of the American Patriots in the Thirteen Colonies won independence from Great Britain, becoming the United States of America. US Battle deaths 4,435 — — Map (db m222446) HM
Near North Front Street north of Main Street, on the right when traveling north.
Moved here from New Rochelle, NY and was the first person to acquire property from John James purchasing two lots on Front and Fifth Streets. Craft became the first postmaster, first merchant and father of the first native-born citizen. — — Map (db m222389) HM
Near North Front Street north of Main Street, on the right when traveling north.
A shipbuilder from New Bedford, MA, arrived in Rising Sun in 1815. He was one of the master builders for the USS Constitution and built steamship hulls in Rising Sun for Pinkney James. — — Map (db m222394) HM
Near South Front Street south of 2nd Street, on the left when traveling south.
In early April 1940, work began on the Cass-Union Consolidated School. It opened on September 15, 1941 (later dedicated Jan. 1943) welcoming students from one-room schools in Cass and Union Townships plus Halls Mills in Randolph. The initial student . . . — — Map (db m222605) HM
Near South Front Street north of 2nd Street, on the right when traveling north.
The war fought in the United States between northern and southern states in which the Confederacy sought to establish itself as a separate nation. Battle deaths (Union) 140,414. Battle deaths (Confederate) 74,524 — — Map (db m222452) HM
Near North Front Street north of Main Street, on the right when traveling north.
Arrived in Rising Sun in 1815 serving as an Indian Agent, US Marshall for Indiana and a judge. From 1817 to 1843, Pepper succeeded in helping create Ohio County, with Rising Sun as its county seat, by separating it from Dearborn County. — — Map (db m222397) HM
Near North Front Street at Fourth Street, on the right when traveling north.
While commissioned under the John Adams administration in 1799 to survey lands west of the Great Miami River, he was drawn to Rising Sun. In 1803, he built a cabin here where he lived with his family until 1809. — — Map (db m222369) HM
On South Walnut Street at 2nd Street, on the right when traveling south on South Walnut Street.
What was it like to live and work in a small Ohio River town in the 1800s? A walk through the Ohio County Historical Society Museum gives a view of everyday life in a 19th century Ohio River town. Residents were employed in many enterprises, . . . — — Map (db m222314) HM
On South Mulberry Street at Main Street (Indiana Route 262), on the left when traveling south on South Mulberry Street.
Defiance of the Black Codes In 1854, Arthur Barkshire, a freed
African American, was tried, convicted.
and fined here for bringing his wife,
Elizabeth Keith, a Black woman from
Ohio, across state lines in defiance of
the “Black Codes.” . . . — — Map (db m222309) HM
Near South Front Street north of 2nd Street, on the right when traveling north.
The Gulf War was waged by coalition
forces from 35 nations led by the United
States against Iraq in response to Iraq's
invasion and annexation of the Middle
Eastern nation of Kuwait.
US Battle Deaths 148 — — Map (db m222531) WM
Near South Front Street at Main Street, on the right when traveling north.
The earliest ferry between Rising Sun and Rabbit Hash, KY was a hand operated flatboat in the late 1830s. At 50-feet long by 10-feet wide, it was dubbed a "superior ferry flat." Kentucky require the boat be kept on its side of the river. The ferry . . . — — Map (db m222406) HM
Near North Front Street at Fourth Street, on the left when traveling south.
Obtained several thousand acres near Rising Sun in 1803 then left in 1804 for Cincinnati to practice law. Brown became Ohio's 7th governor in 1818, retired to Rising Sun in 1836, then was an Indiana State Representative from 1841-43 — — Map (db m222372) HM
Near North Front Street south of Fourth Street, on the left when traveling south.
The first sermon in Rising Sun was held at the end of Main Street in the summer of 1815. Methodist minister John Stranger preached from the trunk of a fallen tree. Pews were branches of trees cut down to build cabins. C.A. Craft's barroom later . . . — — Map (db m222382) HM
On State Road 56 N at Bellview Lane, on the left when traveling north on State Road 56 N.
In 1798 Samuel Fulton and his father John, soldiers of the American Revolution, his mother Jane Dills Fulton, brother Thomas, brother-in-law Christopher Huston and their families, made the first permanent settlement on the bank of the Ohio River in . . . — — Map (db m22104) HM
Near South Front Street north of 2nd Street, on the right when traveling north.
An international military campaign that
was launched by the US government after
the September 11, 2001 attacks in the US.
Includes OEF and OIF.
US Military deaths 6,930
US Civilians Killed (includes 9/11) 3,000+ — — Map (db m222532) WM
Near North Front Street south of Fourth Street, on the left when traveling south.
Son of city founder John James, he also assisted his father with the original survey and platting of Rising Sun. During his lifetime, Henry built 24 houses and three mills in Rising Sun. — — Map (db m222379) HM
Near South Front Street south of Main Street, on the left when traveling south.
A horse ferry began operation between Rising Sun and Rabbit Hash, KY around 1850. A second ferry followed at the lane by Dam 38. A team of horses on a treadmill propelled the ferries. Blind horses were preferred because they had no fear and were . . . — — Map (db m222436) HM
Near South Front Street south of Main Street, on the left when traveling south.
The great-grandfather of U.S. Senator Bob Dole. Talbott purchased a mill on the Rising Sun riverfront in 1847 built by Moses Turner in 1827. The mill burnt in 1889. Senator Dole visited the site of the former mill in 1998. — — Map (db m222438) HM
Near South Front Street north of 2nd Street, on the right when traveling north.
An important inventor and manufacturer who crafted furniture, boats and musical instruments. He invented the first coin-operated music machine and game machine plus built forerunners to several modern marvels. — — Map (db m222534) HM
On South Front Street south of 1st Street, on the right when traveling south.
J.W. Whitlock was one of Rising Sun's prominent citizens in
the late 1800s until his death in 1935. A man of many talents,
J.W. had his own band, “Row's Band.” He manufactured his
patented Automatic Harps (one can be seen at the . . . — — Map (db m222702) HM
Near South Front Street south of Main Street, on the left when traveling south.
Born near Rising Sun in 1847 and served in the Civil War at age 16. In 1879, Works served one term in the Indiana Legislature. He later became a California Supreme Court Justice and, in 1911, a U.S. Senator. — — Map (db m222417) HM
Near North Front Street north of Fourth Street, on the right when traveling north.
Relative of Robert Fulton, inventor of the steamboat, John, his son Samuel and their families moved here from Lancaster Co., PA. They first traveled to Pittsburgh by two-horse wagons then by flatboats to Rising Sun, settling in 1798. — — Map (db m222361) HM
Near North Front Street south of Fourth Street, on the left when traveling south.
Arrived in 1814 and purchased 776 acres of land from Col. Benjamin Chambers. John, with sons Pinkney and Henry, surveyed the land and platted Rising Sun. While he wasn't the first settler, James is known as the city's founder. — — Map (db m222375) HM
On South Front Street at 2nd Street, on the right when traveling north on South Front Street.
In 1809, John James purchased over 1000 acres from Colonel Benjamin Chambers, who had surveyed the area in 1799. John did not move his family from Cincinnati due to the hostilities with the Native Americans. Following the Battle of Tippecanoe, he . . . — — Map (db m222550) HM
Near South Front Street north of 2nd Street, on the right when traveling north.
An American playwright, whose real name is Arthur Hill Smith, lived in Rising Sun before moving to New York. He wrote popular melodramatic plays including Blue Jeans (1890) set in Rising Sun. The play was made into a silent movie. — — Map (db m222441) HM
Near South Front Street south of Main Street, on the left when traveling south.
Moved to Rising Sun from Ohio in 1844. Downey was elected to the Indiana State Senate in 1862 and the Indiana State Supreme Court in 1870. He also was a Brigadier-General in the Indiana Legion. — — Map (db m222413) HM
Near South Front Street north of 2nd Street, on the right when traveling north.
The United Nations, with the US as the
principle force, came to the aid of
South Korea. The fighting ended on
27 July 1953, when an armistice was
signed. The agreement created the DMZ.
US Battle Deaths 33,739 — — Map (db m222469) HM
Near South Front Street at 2nd Street, on the right when traveling north.
In 1918, a steam powered crane used to unload coal from barges near Arnold's Creek was destroyed by ice. A new coal yard complex at the end of Main Street soon followed. The crane, cable system, tracks, dump cars and pit serviced barge traffic and . . . — — Map (db m222546) HM
On South Front Street south of Main Street, on the left when traveling south.
On Sept. 17, 1866, eight brick buildings and two frame structures on Main Street were destroyed by a major fire. An even larger fire on July 17, 1885 started on Poplar and Main Streets destroying 20 buildings and most of the early records for the . . . — — Map (db m222439) HM
Near South Front Street north of 2nd Street, on the right when traveling north.
An armed conflict between the USA and the United Mexican States from 1846-1848. It followed in the wake of the 1845 American annexation of the independent Republic of Texas. US Battle deaths 1,733 — — Map (db m222450) HM
On North Front Street north of Main Street, on the right when traveling north.
The Ohio River – freeway of the past! Just as we
depend on roads to carry our goods, the river
connected people and their goods before railroads
and highways. River towns dotted the Ohio, thriving
on the exchange of goods and services enabled by . . . — — Map (db m222325) HM
Near South Front Street south of Main Street, on the left when traveling south.
Ohio County was officially formed on January 4, 1844 when the Governor of Indiana approved an act passed by the state's House and Senate. At 87 square miles, Ohio County is the state's smallest county in size. It is also the smallest in population . . . — — Map (db m222412) HM
Near South Front Street north of 1st Street, on the right when traveling north.
Ohio County Elementary Middle School opened in 1972 with new students from Cass-Union and eighth graders from the high school. 35 rooms expanded to 41 in 1998 along with a remodeled cafeteria and new gym (formerly one unit). A new library & office . . . — — Map (db m222674) HM
On South Front Street north of 2nd Street, on the right when traveling north.
All gave some
Some gave all
Civil War
Oliver Williams
World War I
Noah O'Banion • Louie Homes • Bernie Vinup
World War II
James Beutel • Omer H. Vinup • Robert Cheever • Linus Holland • Edward Wallace • William H. . . . — — Map (db m222527) WM
Near South Front Street south of 2nd Street, on the left when traveling south.
An Aeronca L16 airplane, owned by the Rising Sun Civil Air Patrol, took off with no pilot in January 1959. After cranking the propeller, the plane took flight on its own. It traveled more than 100 miles and crashed near Chillicothe, OH. The event . . . — — Map (db m222652) HM
Near North Front Street south of Fourth Street, on the left when traveling south.
Son of city founder John James, he helped his father with Rising Sun's original survey and plat. Pinkney built steamboats and had many other business ventures in town including two cotton and woolen mills employing more than 50 people. — — Map (db m222378) HM
On South Front Street south of 2nd Street, on the left when traveling south.
The Rising Sun Airport was open from 1943 to 1975 on 15 acres off Fifth Street. It had seven hangars housing nine planes. Lights from cars and tractors were used to land planes at night. Governor Harold Handley used the runway in 1960. There were . . . — — Map (db m222611) HM
Near South Front Street north of 2nd Street, on the right when traveling north.
In 1914, Rising Sun celebrated 100 years for its Centennial Birthday. Population was 1513. Costs in 1914: bread $.06/lb., milk $.09/qt., beef $.16 to $.26/lb., eggs $.35/doz., gas $.12/gal., average car $550 and average home $6000. The average . . . — — Map (db m222540) HM
Near North Front Street north of Main Street, on the right when traveling north.
Officially chartered on Sept. 14, 1818, Rising Sun Lodge No. 6 is one of the oldest, most honored Masonic Lodges in Indiana. It has produced three Grand Master Masons: Abel Pepper, Johnson Watts and Alexander Downey. Its first known hall was in the . . . — — Map (db m222398) HM
Near South Front Street at 2nd Street, on the right when traveling north.
The first Rising Sun Regatta was held on July 4, 1925. A huge crowd of about 20,000 people lined the bank. On race day, the road from Aurora to Rising Sun was closed for improvement. Most fans from Cincinnati came down on the Kentucky side then . . . — — Map (db m222601) HM
Near South Front Street north of 1st Street, on the right when traveling north.
The City of Rising Sun celebrated its Sesquicentennial Birthday, 150 years, July 5-11, 1964. Festivities included 4-H activities, king/queen contest, fireworks, pet parade, talent show, various music acts, ice cream social, beard judging, teen hop, . . . — — Map (db m222672) HM
Near South Front Street south of 2nd Street, on the left when traveling south.
A tornado struck Rising Sun in 1948 and did significant damage. It destroyed the third floor of the high school and the school bell fell from the bell tower into a second floor classroom. Fortunately, there were no injuries. — — Map (db m222613) HM
On South Front Street north of 2nd Street, on the right when traveling north.
[Left] Dedicated to those who have received or will receive our nation's oldest decoration the Purple Heart
[Center] Dedicated to those who have served
[Right] In honor and memory of all veterans who served and died for . . . — — Map (db m222526) WM
Near South Front Street south of 2nd Street, on the left when traveling south.
Rising Sun Ohio County Consolidated High School was dedicated Oct. 4, 1959. The facility featured 16 classrooms, library, science lab, music department, art room, gym/auditorium, photography dark room, clinic, bookstore, visual aid room, offices, . . . — — Map (db m222663) HM
Near South Front Street at 1st Street, on the right when traveling north.
Grand Victoria Casino & Resort opened Oct. 1996 for gaming. The entertainment pavilion opened July 1997. A golf course was added in July 1998. The property was renamed Rising Star Casino Resort in March 2011. Its local economic impact has been . . . — — Map (db m222698) HM
Near South Front Street north of 1st Street, on the right when traveling north.
Key civic leaders and Rising Sun First, a community action group, worked in concert to pas the November 1993 Riverboat Gaming Referendum and successfully lobbied the Indiana Gaming Commission to approve a casino gaming development on June 30, 1995. — — Map (db m222689) HM
Near North Front Street at Main Street, on the right when traveling north.
Born in England in 1776, he moved to Cincinnati in 1802 and then to Rising Sun in 1819. Best worked as a silversmith, watchmaker and clockmaker. Pieces of his silver are highly collectable. He is buried in Rising Sun. — — Map (db m222402) HM
Near North Front Street north of Main Street, on the right when traveling north.
Married a daughter of Prince Athearn and built a log home at Front & Fourth Streets. It was also the town's first shoe shop. He became very successful in dry goods and built the large brick block on Main St. where he kept assorted merchandise. — — Map (db m222392) HM
Near South Front Street north of 1st Street, on the right when traveling north.
In July 1996, the City of Rising Sun implemented a revenue sharing plan where other local municipalities and counties benefited quarterly from gaming revenue received. The plan, a first of its kind in Indiana, is used as a model throughout the . . . — — Map (db m222694) HM
On South Front Street at Main Street, on the right when traveling north on South Front Street.
It was on this site that Smith Riggs, 65, emerged into the
public eye in 1928, for his work on instruments of death – two
electric chairs. It took a great deal of persuading on the part
of Indianapolis hospital consultant, JF. Gregries to accept . . . — — Map (db m222408) HM
Near South Front Street north of 2nd Street, on the right when traveling north.
A war between Spain and the US.
Hostilities began in the aftermath of
the internal explosion of the USS Maine
in Havana Harbor in Cuba, leading to US
intervention in the Cuban War.
US Battle Deaths 385. — — Map (db m222457) HM
On North Front Street south of Fourth Street, on the left when traveling south.
The mill that became known as Talbott's Mill was completed in
1827 with Moses Turner as the proprietor. The steam-powered
mill used several methods of supplying the boilers with water
over the years. One such method was a large waterwheel . . . — — Map (db m222384) HM
Near South Front Street north of 2nd Street, on the right when traveling north.
The Laughery Club was founded in 1900 on what became Camp Shore in 1969. The club was on 22 acres with a luxurious 32-room clubhouse. A full-sized baseball field was added in 1919 and used by the Cincinnati Reds for spring training. In the . . . — — Map (db m222533) HM
On Main Street (Indiana Route 262) east of South Mulberry Street, on the right when traveling east.
At the time Rising Sun was established (1814) it was part of Dearborn County, Local citizen Colonel Abel C. Pepper, who oversaw the removal of the Native Americans from Indiana in 1837, was instrumental in creating Ohio County. After years of . . . — — Map (db m222311) HM
Near South Front Street south of Main Street, on the left when traveling south.
The Ohio County Courthouse was built in 1845 entirely on donations including the land which was donated by Col. Abel C. Pepper and his wife. It is the oldest courthouse in continuous operation in the State of Indiana. — — Map (db m222415) HM
On South Mulberry Street south of Main Street (Indiana Route 262), on the left when traveling south.
This courthouse was built through the determination of early Rising Sun citizens. They sent the intrepid settler Colonel Abel C. Pepper to Corydon, then the state capital, in 1817 to petition the state to form a new county out of Dearborn County . . . — — Map (db m222307) HM
On North Front Street north of Main Street, on the right when traveling north.
This pump is the only visible reminder
of the steam-powered flour mill of
Joseph W. Talbott (1833-1902),
great-grandfather of
Senator Robert Dole. It provided
water for the horses of
Mr. Talbott's customers.
Built in the 1820's, the mill . . . — — Map (db m222355) HM
On South Front Street north of 2nd Street, on the right when traveling north.
A war in SE Asia in which the US fought
in the 1960s and 1970s. The war was
from 1954 to 1975 between communist
N Vietnam and noncommunist S Vietnam.
US Battle deaths 58,220
Indiana Battle deaths 1,534 — — Map (db m222528) HM
Near South Front Street north of 2nd Street, on the right when traveling north.
A war between Britain and the US. The
immediate causes of the War of 1812 were
a series of economic sanctions against
the US and American outrage at the
British practice of impressment.
US Battle deaths 2,260 — — Map (db m222448) HM
On North Front Street south of Fourth Street, on the left when traveling south.
Throughout most of the 1800s until the 1930s the wharfboat
played a significant role in the life of Rising Sun, The wharfboat
served as a floating warehouse on the river. The railroad never
came to Rising Sun, although during the 1870s and . . . — — Map (db m222358) HM
Near South Front Street south of Main Street, on the left when traveling south.
Originally from Boone Co., KY, he moved to Rising Sun and founded Clore Plow, a manufacturer of farm equipment. It was a key company in our young nation. Up to 400 flatboats left Rising Sun daily each spring with goods going to southern ports. — — Map (db m222410) HM
Near South Front Street north of 2nd Street, on the right when traveling north.
WWI was a global war originating in
Europe that lasted from 28 July 1914 to
11 November 1918. Over nine million
combatants and seven million civilians
died as a result of this war.
US Battle Deaths 53,402 — — Map (db m222459) HM
Near South Front Street north of 2nd Street, on the right when traveling north.
WWII was the deadliest conflict in human
history, marked by 50 to 85 million
fatalities, most of which were civilians.
It included the first use of nuclear
weapons in history.
US Battle Deaths 291,557 — — Map (db m222463) HM
