In the 34 years we’ve lived in Madison, Indiana, I never thought I’d really see the day that the abandoned 1884 Eagle Cotton Mill would be completely renovated and open as a hotel. A beautiful hotel. But it was, and it did. July 30th the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott opened its doors and welcomed overnight guests to our community’s newest accommodation. Pride of place is happening on the riverfront in the east end of town!

On the hotel’s second day of operation, our daughter and family visiting from Seattle checked in for a few days, and Ken and I happily looked around the property as they got settled. Whoa. Unbelievable changes have taken place since we visited the “work in progress“ last October – and we were impressed then with what we saw! The interior now bears little resemblance to the property we visited in July 2019 on Cornerstone Society‘s Trio Tour, “New Use for Old Buildings.”
The long-awaited transformation of the historic cotton mill is indeed a thing of beauty. Here are a few photo comparisons of the property over the last two years. The renovated property exterior is immaculate. Window glass is all in place, and bricks are beautifully tuck pointed. Grand entry doors have been recreated. Weeds and climbing poison ivy have been replaced by sod, shrubs, flowers and trees.
July 2021 October 2020 October 2020 Eagle Cotton Mill, July 2019
July 2021 July 2019
And the inside is also immaculate. The bats and roosting birds are long gone. Dust and cobwebs have given way to fresh paint. Enlarged vintage photos abound. Everything is so CLEAN and inviting.

Lobby Bar area, 2021 Lobby Bar, 2021 Lobby-October 2020 Tour Lobby-October 2019 Tour
Breakfast Area, 2021 Breakfast Area, 2021 Breakfast Area, October 2020 Lobby/Breakfast areas-October 2020 Tour
Main Floor Elevator Area, 2021 Second Floor Elevator Hall, 2021 Second Floor Main Hall, 2021 Main Floor Elevator Hall, Oct 2020 Second Floor Main Hall, Oct 2020
Meeting Room area, 2021 Meeting Room area, 2021
And here’s a look in the bedroom portion of a Queen-Queen Suite – tested and approved!

Interesting areas to the rear of the hotel are the Mechanical Room, future Beer Garden, and a stand-alone building with a TBD purpose.
Mechanical Room (left), Future Beer Garden (right), 2021 Stand-alone Building, 2021
Mechanical Room looking out, Oct 2020 Mechanical Room looking up, Oct 2020 Future Beer Garden area from above, Oct 2020
Stand-alone Building to the rear of the hotel, Oct 2020 Stand-alone Building, Oct 2020
Whether business or pleasure brings you to Madison, Indiana – “prettiest town in the Midwest” – consider staying the night. There are many lovely accommodations to choose from, now including the Fairfield Inn & Suites along the Ohio River Scenic Byway in Southern Indiana.

I was raised in Madison, graduated from Shawe High School and worked at the Cotton Mill. I am so grateful for the beautiful restoration. Plan on staying when we are in my hometown of Madison.
Thanks for posting all the photos. Great to see it done!
Even better in person!
I grew up in Madison , Shawe class of ’71! We are returning there in Oct. for our 50th class reunion.. The people are the Marriott have been very helpful! Great pics!
Thanks, Linda! Our daughter that stayed there was in for her Shawe class 25th!