National Register Listing

Richmond Railroad Station Historic District

Roughly bounded by Norfolk & Southern RR tracks, N. Tenth St., Elm Pl., N. D St., & Ft. Wayne Ave., Richmond, IN
Local significance of the district:
Industry; Commerce; Transportation; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1987.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

industry commerce transportation architecture railroads
The first public demonstration of the electric light bulb was given by Thomas Edison in Menlo Park, New Jersey, but the first practical incandescent light bulb was invented by Lewis Howard Latimer, who was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, but lived in Indiana for a time. Latimer was also the first African American to be employed as an engineer by the U.S. Patent Office.
Indiana random facts
Wayne County, Indiana, located in the eastern part of the state, has a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1811. The county was named after General Anthony Wayne, a renowned American Revolutionary War hero. The area was originally occupied by Native American tribes, including the Miami and Lenape, who were gradually displaced as European settlers arrived.

The first European settlers arrived in the early 1800s, attracted by the fertile lands and abundant natural resources. Richmond, now the county seat and largest city, was laid out in 1806 and quickly became a bustling center of commerce and industry. The construction of the Whitewater Canal in the 1840s further stimulated economic growth, facilitating transportation and trade.

During the turbulent years leading up to the American Civil War, Wayne County was a hotbed of abolitionist sentiment, with many residents actively involved in the Underground Railroad. The Levi and Catherine Coffin Home, now a National Historic Landmark, served as a safe haven for escaped slaves. Notable figures like Levi Coffin and his wife, "The President of the Underground Railroad," played significant roles in helping slaves on their journey to freedom.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Wayne County experienced industrial expansion, particularly in the manufacturing sector. The automobile industry had a significant presence, with companies like Wayne Works and Westcott Motor Car Company operating in the area. Today, Wayne County continues to thrive as a center for manufacturing, healthcare, education, and tourism, while preserving its proud history through numerous historic sites and landmarks.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Wayne County, Indiana.

  • 1796 - Wayne County established as a county in the Northwest Territory
  • 1803 - First courthouse built in Centerville, becoming county seat
  • 1811 - Native American presence in the area diminished after the Battle of Tippecanoe
  • 1814 - Pioneers began settling in the county
  • 1818 - Richmond, now the largest city in the county, founded
  • 1840s - Rapid growth and industrialization in Richmond
  • 1863 - Largely affected by the American Civil War
  • 1873 - "The Great Fire" destroys a significant portion of downtown Richmond
  • 1890s - Boom in manufacturing, specifically in the automobile and furniture industries
  • 20th Century - Continued growth and expansion of Richmond and other communities in Wayne County