Linden Indiana

Mile Post #125.6 on the second subdivision. Rossville was a typical Indiana community that was served by the Monon Railroad. Like many towns along the route, the main industry served was a grain elevator. In Rossville there was also a poultry hatchery. On average the town generated about 125 carloads a year. Rossville was the scheduled meeting point for local freights #46 and #47.

Rossville Depot. Left: Date unknown, judging by the vehicle, possible late 1950's, or 1960's. Right: February 1971, looking north along the mainline through Rossville.

"Rossville was dense wilderness when Solomon Miller settled on Section 20 in what is now known as Ross Township in March, 1828. At that time a tribe of Miami Indians inhabited the area. Their leader was Chief Little Turtle (Meshekunnoghquoh). Daniel Underwood settled on Section 20 on the Middlefork near the present site of Edna Mills. He built the first mill in the township. Mathias Widner moved from Putnam County and settled on Section 32. He began farming and blacksmithing. Several more settlers soon followed in 1829. Samuel Seawright settled on a farm near the present site of Rossville. A schoolhouse was built on his farm in 1831. Mr. R.E. Baker was the teacher. Mr. Seawright was the owner of the first store in Rossville."

A petition was filed on October 22, 1870 to incorporate the town. There were 339 residents at that time. An incorporation election was held on November 5, 1870 with thirty-five votes for and nineteen votes against the incorporation. On December 1, 1870, Rossville became an incorporated town. By 1874, Rossville had become a thriving town. The town boasted a newspaper “The Occidental”, three physicians, a barber shop, seven stores, three saddleries, two shoe shops, six blacksmith shops, two wagon manufacturers, two carriage manufacturers, one steam saw and pinning mill, one flour mill, one steam pump factory, two cabinet shops, one butcher shop, one hotel, one livery stable, four churches, five congregations, and three Sabbath Schools. The first post office in Rossville was established on July 8, 1879. James Sheffler was the first postmaster.

With the coming of the Monon Railroad, life around Rossville grew even more. The railroad line was completed in 1883 and ran from Indianapolis to Chicago. The Monon Depot was quite busy during this period. With the decline of the railway system in the late 1980’s, the railroad tracks were abandoned in 1991. There have been many changes to the landscape in and around Rossville over the years. Businesses and people have come and gone. Rossville has survived despite several debilitating occurrences such as the fire of 1912, which destroyed seventeen businesses, the devastating flood in the spring of 1913 cut off Rossville from the rest of the county, and a tornado ripped through the town in 1961."

-Excerpts courtsey of the Town Of Rossville Website. -

April 1981. Left and Right: Old wooden boxcars next to the mainline. What are the odds that when these pictures were taken these old cars were used for storage.

Left: Looking along the mainline, April 1977. Right: Another shot along the right of way, April 1981, looking south. Not sure if this location is north or south of town.