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