Lake Iola Interurban Site

The Indianapolis and Louisville Traction Company organized to build track between Seymour and Sellersburg as part of the interurban line extending from Indianapolis to Louisville, and the track was completed in 1907. This became the first railway in the country to operate on a 1200 volt high tension, direct current system powered by generators at this site. A car barn and water tower were also built here, and an artificial lake, later named Lake Iola, was created as a water source for the power equipment. The Indiana Railroad later abandoned operation, with the last train running on October 31, 1939. Building foundations and some track remain, and the land around Lake Iola is now property of Scottsburg, serving the city as a park and interpretive center.

Scottsburg, Indiana · United States