OUR STORY

The Monon Railroad was the most important railroad in Indiana dating back to 1853. The name “Monon” is a Potawatomi word meaning “swift running.” The Monon railroad tracks were laid to connect northern Indiana to southern Indiana. This meant that this line proved useful to carrying crucial supplies and military personnel during the Civil War as it was one of the few north-south lines at the time. It did, however, connect with other major east-west rail lines such as the Baltimore & Ohio, the Illinois Central, The Milwaukee, the Pennsylvania the New York Central, The Wabash & the Chesapeake & Ohio, among others. The Monon serviced multiple colleges, such as Indiana, Purdue, Depauw, Wabash and Butler Universities. Also, any limestone delivered around the world went out first on a Monon flatbed. 

 

Most of what is left now of the Monon tracks has been acquired by other railway companies. Some areas in which the Monon used to travel has been turned into trails where Hoosiers in central Indiana can ride, bike, or walk from Sheridan to downtown Indianapolis. 

 

We chose the name Monon to symbolize the important and unifying role infrastructure has played in moving Indiana forward economically and culturally since its statehood. When rails were no longer the main source of transportation, many routes we abandoned. In some areas, like Central Indiana, these former railway right-of-ways were re-imagined and turned into something useful again for the communities the path linked. We believe that Indiana is in a critical point in its history - so many communities that were once unified by this life-giving artery are now disjointed, divided and disconnected.

 

How we choose to build out the civic and political infrastructure undergirding fundamental values and goals will shape generations to come. With local roots and relationships informed by national connections and perspectives, the Monon Strategy Group is building new pathways to a shared future.

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All aboard! Let the journey begin.