The Depot Railroad Museum

05/23/2026

Organizing the New Albany and Salem Railroad

In 1847, seven men gathered in a small town called New Providence (known today as Borden) to discuss an idea that would forever change the future of Indiana. What began as a simple meeting soon became the foundation of the New Albany and Salem Railroad.
Leading the discussion was James Brookes, joined by three prominent men representing Salem, Washington C. DePauw, Henry B. Shields and Samuel Reid. Representing New Albany was V.C. Campbell, John Gordon and John S. Davis. The decision made by those seven men in 1847 helped shape the future across the state for years to come.

05/22/2026

On July 10, 1863, Salem, Indiana, found itself caught in the path of one of the most daring Confederate raids of the Civil War. Confederate General John Hunt Morgan and his famed Morgan's raiders swept into Salem during their raid across Indiana and Ohio, bringing fear, destruction and chaos to the small community. The railroad, then an important route through Salem, quickly became a target for the raiders, railroads were the lifeline of the Union, carrying troops, supplies and communication across the north. Morgan's men understood that destroying railroad property would create panic in Indiana. As the Confederate cavalry entered into Salem around 10:00am, they demanded $1,000 from every mill owner. The unwanted visitors were paid the ransom to avoid having the mills burned.

Residents watched shock as the raiders made their way through Salem. The horse's hooves thundered along the streets while the rebels searched for supplies, horses and anything useful. The Salem Depot caught Morgan's eye, he knew they kept a strongbox there containing valuables. Unaware the station agent received a message the raiders were on their way to Salem. The agent had taken all the contents out of the chest and ran them to a home on East Poplar Street and buried the items, he then ran back to the Depot filled the chest with masonry tools and locked it. When Morgan and his men opened the chest, they discovered the tools. Morgan was furious!
He ordered his men to burn the Salem Depot, destroy the tracks and telegraph lines. For many Salem residents, this was the first time the war was at their doorstep. Though the raid was short lived, its impact was remembered for generations.
Today, the notorious strongbox chest sits inside the Depot Railroad Museum. The chest was donated to the Washington County Historical Society in 1993 by the Bryant family.

05/22/2026

https://www.cityofsalemin.com/index.php/community-calendar?yodelEventId=6a079d61f5247e7d74e3136f&yodelOrgLastName=John+Hay+Center+&yodelEventName=Opening-of-The-Spirit-of-Washington-County-Through-the-Lens-of-Cecil-Smith

Official Website of the City of Salem Indiana Government

05/21/2026

Do you recognize this location? 😉 🚂

Photo taken in 1971

05/15/2026

Few artists captured the spirit of the railroad quite like Howard Fogg. Known across the nation for his breathtaking railroad paintings, Fogg became especially admired by fans of the Monon Railroad. Through his brushstrokes, he preserved the beauty, power, and romance of America’s railroads during a time when steam engines and classic rail travel were beginning to disappear.

Born in 1917, Howard Fogg developed a love for trains at an early age. Fascinated by locomotives, depots, and the movement of rail travel, he combined his artistic talent with his passion for railroading. His detailed paintings quickly gained recognition for their realism and atmosphere. Every scene seemed to bring the railroad to life — from the smoke rising from steam locomotives to the glow of lanterns in a quiet rail yard.

Fogg’s connection to the Monon Railroad made his artwork especially meaningful throughout Indiana. The Monon, known as “The Hoosier Line,” stretched across the state and became one of Indiana’s most beloved railroads. Howard Fogg beautifully captured the Monon’s locomotives, passenger trains, and rural landscapes in ways that preserved the railroad’s legacy for future generations. His paintings often showcased the hardworking spirit of railroaders and the important role the railroad played in connecting Indiana communities.

Railroad enthusiasts admired Howard Fogg not only for his artistic skill, but also for his dedication to historical accuracy. He carefully studied locomotives, rail lines, and scenery to ensure each painting reflected authentic railroad history. Many of his works became treasured pieces among collectors and railroad museums across the country.

05/09/2026

This watch and watch fob displayed here were given to William McPike in 1956. William spent most of his railroad career on the Monon and later retired from the L&N in 1978.

The watch was donated by his son Jerry McPike to the Depot Railroad Museum in 2011

05/08/2026

This wreck occurred on July 13, 1947, after the Blue River flood washed out the ballast under the tracks. This accident happened at what was the south end of Fogg.

05/07/2026

Tucked away among the treasures of the Depot Railroad Museum is a simple bucket that tells a much larger story. This bucket, once filled with gum drops, was shipped from Nutrine Candy Co. in Chicago, Illinois to Dennis Confectionary in Salem by the Monon Railroad sometime during the 1920s or 30s. At the time, Dennis Confectionary was located on Salem's public square now occupied by LaGene's Jewelry Store. This rare piece of local history is on loan from John and Gayla Kaiser and has been a part of our collection since June 2004.

05/02/2026

In the rolling hills of southern Indiana, the communities of Borden and Pekin once thrived on a sweet industry, berry farming. The Borden & Pekin Fruit Growers Association was an agriculture success. Grown from the soils of Washington and Clark counties, their success depended on the Monon to help distribute the fruits nationwide.
Photographed here are workers loading strawberries in Borden to be sent to Chicago.
*Photo Courtesy of the Larry Johnson Collection*

05/01/2026

On the afternoon of September 17, 1951, the small railroad town of Monon, Indiana became the scene of one of the most dramatic accidents in the history of the Monon Railroad. At approximately 3:18pm, southbound Train No. 5 (known as the Thoroughbred) approached the sharp curve at the junction where the Monon's line split in different directions.

As the train rounded the curve at full speed, it suddenly derailed. The powerful diesel left the rails and careened into the town's depot, leaving it nothing but rubble. The wreck claimed the life of engineer Herbert "Hub" Dickerson. Several people were injured, including people on the depot platform and inside. No passengers were killed.