Madison, AL

A little history of our town

In 1855 the Memphis and Charlestion Railway was completed. This was the first RR to connect the Mississippi River and the Atlantic Ocean. At that time James Clemens, couisn of Samuel Clemens, bought the property around the new depot. He had the land marked off into lots. On the 13 ^th Feburary 1857 George Martin bought land here in Madison Station. After that Thomas Clay who was also a mechand in the county purchase land. The funny little building on the Village Green is a replica of the Roundhouse, the first mayor's office and City Hall.

When James Clemens offered his town lots for sale he had no way of foreseeing the prominence of those who would come to live in the village. Nor could he have anticipated the roles that citizens of the future town of Madison would play in state, national or international ploitics through the years. Clemens did set the tone for social harmony and unity in his town by selling some of his lots to women (before suffrage) and even one lot that was located in the primary residential street to a "free man of color" before the War between the States.

If you would like to know more about the history of Madison see John Rankin's book Memories of Madison.

More history Information

Spirit Stroll

A walking tour through history

1^st Saturday night of the month

7:00 pm

After the Street Festival

After the Madison Street Festival have some dinner and then join us for a free stroll through the historical district of Madison, AL. Dressed in a top hat and frock coat, SA Hale will presents some of the more unique, strange, and telling happenstances of our community. There will be stories of murders, kidnappings, drowning, train accidents, ghosts, and much more There are around 75 stories including the Chicken Capers, Bank Robbery, Fallen Heroes, and more. The tour starts at Hale Fire Glass, 112 Main Street. For more information call 325-4253 or SA Hale

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Historical Picturesl