Faces of Railroading: The Making of Madison and Dane County

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John E. Gruber/collection of the Center for Railroad Photography & Art

A conductor and ticket agent shake hands in a farewell gesture as the last Chicago & North Western Rochester 400 passenger train prepares to depart Madison in 1963.

A conductor and ticket agent shake hands in a farewell gesture as the last Chicago & North Western Rochester 400 passenger train prepares to head west out of Madison in 1963. The depot, now owned by Madison Gas & Electric, still stands at the corner of Blair and Williamson, although the passenger platforms are long gone.

A big part of the history of America in the 19th century is the growth of the railroads; the impact of tracks coming to town — or where someone hoped a town would someday be — still reverberates today. (That’s certainly the case in Madison, as the city currently considers the return of passenger rail — but, where to place the station? — and grapples with the denial of a long-planned bike path connector by the state railroad commissioner.) This exhibit of historical photos of railroad workers and scenes in Dane County is coordinated by the local nonprofit Center for Railroad Photography and Art; a reception takes place from 6-8 p.m. on Aug. 30.

media release: The Center for Railroad Photography and Art is excited to present Faces of Railroading: The Making of Madison and Dane County at Garver Canvas!

This photography exhibit will be on display from August 22nd to October 20th. It will show various of people who worked on the railroad in Dane County. The photos tell the story of how railroads helped Madison grow. There will be a reception on August 30th from 6pm- 8pm to celebrate the new exhibit! Come see how the city changed as the railroads grew!