An exhibit, named Carmel: A Railroad Town, opens Friday at the historic Monon Depot Museum, home of the Carmel Historical Society. It is located at 211 First St. S.W.
The exhibit shows how the arrival of the railroad in 1882 began to transform Carmel from a tiny farm community to a growing transportation center where local farm products and manufactured items could be shipped to markets throughout the Midwest.
Railroads, the principal method of travel and transportation in the 19th century, also allowed manufactured goods to be brought easily into the area and allow residents to travel to other parts of the state and nation.
Then, in 1902, an Interurban electric train also arrived in Carmel providing rapid, daily commuter service to Indianapolis and other nearby cities.
Models, photos and memorabilia from the railroads are part of the exhibit. In addition, the Glacier Jammers Band will appear on the depot deck at 2 p.m. Sunday playing railroading songs.
A book entitled A Century of the Railroad in Carmel produced by the historical society will be available for sale.
The Monon ended service in the 1980s, but the depot, built in 1883, was preserved and given to the historical society. The popular Monon Trail now occupies the rail bed through Carmel.