Spirit, Place, and Industry: Madison County at the Turn of the Century

The discovery of natural gas in 1887 on present-day Meridian Street in Anderson, Indiana, became the catalyst for the development of the automobile industry. Industrial innovation spawned economic growth, which created personal wealth for capitalists engaged in the automobile and gas businesses. This tour will explore industries like gas and railroads as well as the religious and cultural beliefs that supported this expansion. In tandem with industrial and economic growth was population growth in Anderson and Madison County overall that increased need for transportation and the development of infrastructure. Additionally, industrial growth reinforced the latter need as industries needed transportation for their products. The mechanization of industry combined with the materialism of wealth conflicted with ideas about the human soul and spiritual enlightenment. Materialism conflicted with spirituality. This was a keystone in the founding of Camp Chesterfield as a gathering place of religious revivalism and spiritual awakening. A more conventional illustration of this trend was the growth of the Protestant denomination, the Church of God, which preached the doctrines of congregation, sanctification, and fellowship. Along with industrial, economic, and population growth Anderson experienced intellectual growth as its growing citizenry became better educated. The Carnegie Library, built in 1905, served the learning and interests of the people of Anderson. Furthermore, the library is an example of a fruit of industrialism inasmuch as its construction was made possible by the philanthropy of an important captain of industry.

Lambert House

John W. Lambert invented the first gasoline-powered automobile in 1891. His home on Hendricks Street, as well as the myriad of homes on historic West 8th Street, stand as the fruits of the labors of the owners of the numerous businesses (e.g.,…

West 8th Street Historic District

Originally known as Anderson Street, this neighborhood and its historic homes were built on the coattails of the Anderson gas boom and the prosperity it brought. The neighborhood includes Elmo A. Funk Park, named after the founder of the Coca-Cola…

The "Big Four" Passenger Depot

In 1851, the first railroad came to Anderson with depots at John Street and Madison Avenue and then at Jackson Street. It brought goods, people, and substantial growth to the community. Part of the Indianapolis and Bellfontaine Railroad, it was…

Union Traction Company Shops

In 1891, Charles Henry, a prominent attorney and politician from Anderson, acquired the “mule car” streetcar system in Anderson. In the six years following, he developed eleven miles of track inside the city on which twenty-one electric streetcars…

Carnegie Public Library

Built in 1905 and financed by a $50,000 donation by the steel manufacturer and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, a Beaux-Arts Neoclassical edifice served as the public library for the city of Anderson until 1987. In 1998, it was reopened as the…

Camp Chesterfield

Founded in Chesterfield, Indiana in 1891, Camp Chesterfield has served as the headquarters of the Indiana Association of Spiritualists. It is a gathering place for worship, recreation, and relaxation. It consists of 44 acres along the White River…

Church of God Headquarters

This is the headquarters of the Protestant denomination Church of God (Anderson, Indiana). It also houses the religious books publisher Warner Press. The Church of God (Anderson, Indiana) is an evangelical Protestant fellowship founded in Anderson,…