[IHB-ISL] Eagle Cotton Mill State Historical Marker to be Dedicated May 27th

"Eagle Cotton Mill" State Historical Marker To Be Dedicated in Madison, Indiana

A public dedication ceremony for an Indiana state historical marker commemorating the Eagle Cotton Mill in Jefferson County is scheduled for Friday, May 27, 2022. The program will begin at 11:00 am at the Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Madison Historic Eagle Cotton Mill at 108 St. Michaels Ave., Madison, Indiana 47250. Parking for the event is available on-site.

The text follows for the state marker entitled "Eagle Cotton Mill:"

The Eagle Cotton Mill began production here in 1885, shipping goods such as twine, candle wick, and fabric via the Ohio River to national and international markets. After an economic downturn in the mid-1800s, the mill helped rejuvenate Madison's river commerce. A major city employer, its largely female workforce led an 1889 strike for better working conditions. Local industrialist Richard Johnson and his family owned the mill from 1890-1930s. Meese, Inc. bought the site in 1940, producing canvas goods, WWII combat gear, and later plastic products before relocating by 1980. After decades of vacancy and failed redevelopments, the mill was renovated as a hotel in 2021, part of a national trend to revitalize industrial buildings.

The public is invited to attend the dedication for this marker that examines industrial labor and river commerce in Indiana in the late 19th and 20th centuries. This is the sixteenth state historical marker to be installed in Jefferson County. For a listing of other markers, see: https://www.in.gov/history/state-historical-markers/find-a-marker/find-historical-markers-by-county/indiana-historical-markers-by-county/#jefferson. Those unable to attend in-person, can watch the program through the City of Madison's Facebook Livestream at: https://www.facebook.com/cityofmadisonIN.

State historical markers commemorate significant individuals, organizations, places, and events in Indiana history. These markers help communities throughout the state promote, preserve, and present their history for the education and enjoyment of residents and tourists of all ages. For over 100 years the Indiana Historical Bureau, a division of the Indiana State Library, has been marking Indiana history. Since 1946, the marker format has been the large roadside marker, which has the familiar dark blue background with gold lettering and the outline of the state of Indiana at the top. Over 700 of these markers have been installed over the years.

For more information about the Indiana Historical Marker Program, including details on this marker, a listing of other markers in the state, or other resources about Indiana, visit the Indiana Historical Bureau's website at http://www.IN.gov/history or call (317) 232-2535. For more information on the dedication, contact Brooke Peach, Historic Preservationist with the City of Madison at [email protected].