River Mile: 558

Population: 12,357

U.S. Census Profile

Madison was founded in 1810 as an entry point to the then Indiana Territory on the busy Ohio River. Home to the state’s very first railroad, the Madison and Indianapolis, Madison’s location across from the slave state of Kentucky made it a key location in the Underground Railroad, as well.  For a while one of the three largest cities in the state, Madison thrived thanks to river commerce, which drove construction of buildings that now allow the town to boast of the largest contiguous Landmark Historic District in the U.S. The rise of the railways eroded Madison’s importance in regional trade networks in the 20th century. But the town’s beautiful location on the banks of the Ohio, surrounded by Clifty Falls State Park, as well as its historic charm and rich artistic and cultural offerings—including one of the nation’s biggest hydroplane boat races—make it a popular destination for visitors.