West Rail Corridor Specialty Tour

Join the Madison Trust for Historic Preservation and the Center for Railroad Photography and Art on our specialty tour of the West Rail Corridor! 

In the 19th century, the West Rail Corridor, the area around the Milwaukee Road Depot on West Washington Avenue, was a hotbed of businesses that depended on the railroad to transport raw materials and finished products, as well as businesses that served railroad passengers and workers. This area, birthplace of a number of long-term Madison businesses, now abounds with repurposed historic buildings that are home to offices, renters and condo owners. 

Join us for a nostalgic, up-close look at Madison's railroad history through many architectural gems on Sunday, September 17th. Following the walking tour, the Center for Railroad Photography & Art will host an art display featuring images from its collection of Madison railroading in the Local Motive railcar. Guests will also enjoy light snacks and beverages.

Black & white front image: Passenger train no. 106 prepares to depart for its midday run to Milwaukee on February 2, 1956. The elevated view is from the crossing guard’s tower. Gruber-01-046-02, Courtesy of CRP&A

John Doris Sr. House (1858)

TOUR INFORMATION

Tour Times: We will run 12 tours beginning at 8:30 a.m. and leaving every 30 minutes with the last tour at 2:00 p.m.

Tour Length: Approximately 2 hours

Tickets: $15 MTHP Members and CRPA Members | $25 General Public

MTHP Members: you will need to enter your Member ID when reserving tickets. If you do not know your Member ID, please contact us at info@madisonpreservation.org.

Tickets close September 14. Refunds will be given up to September 12 for cancellations. Ticket fees are nonrefundable. 

Weather: We will be there rain or shine! See below for exceptions.

Cancellations by The Madison Trust: A tour may be cancelled for extreme weather or lightening. Please note, we do run tours in the rain. We will alert guests at least four hours in advance by email if a tour time needs to be cancelled. Purchased tickets will be refunded.

Parking and meeting location information will be in your confirmation email.

*We can't get away from all the fees, but with this move to Ticket Tailor they will be much lower. You will notice that the booking fee (ticketing site fee) and transaction fee (credit card fee) are included in the ticket price. As a small nonprofit, events such as this are a fundraiser and incorporating in fees helps us continue these informative and enjoyable tours.

VIRTUAL PROGRAM ACCESS!

Guests who purchase tickets to the West Rail Corridor tour will receive a link to the presentation by Scott Lothes, The History and Development of Madison’s Railroads (previously presented as part of our 2023 Virtual Architectural Series). This program is terrific preparation for your experience on this tour!

Special thanks to our tour sponsors for helping to make this event a success!