Madison Area Guide

General Information

Located just ten miles west of Huntsville, Madison is known for its quaint downtown, high quality schools, festivals, walking trails and fun for the whole family. With just over 40,000 people, Madison has over 450 businesses that call it home and the number is growing all the time, thanks to the lower cost of doing business.

Madison is a high quality market of educated professionals and hardworking labor force, with its largest employers everyone from Intergraph Corporation to Madison City Schools.

Madison’s beauty and character is found in the rolling hills, residents who treat you like family, great schools and great parks. With everything from a skate park to miniature golf course, Madison is a fun place to live and work and play.

Residents are very civic minded, actively involved in the decision making for the city through commissions and civic organizations, guiding their city into the future. With festivals and events scheduled year round, come visit Madison and connect with your new family, whether it’s for shopping or taking a quick trip back in time to see the history of the town.

To learn more, visit: http://www.madisonal.gov/DocumentView.aspx?DID=521

 

History

 

The first known settler in the area of Madison was John Cartwright, who came in 1818, receiving a land grant from the federal government. By 1856, the history of Madison had actually begun with the laying down of railroad tracks by the Memphis and Charleston Railroad company.

In 1858, Judge Clemons, among the original landowners, planned the town lots fronting on the railroad, with a depot constructed on one of the lots.

More families began moving into the soil rich region and merchants followed, founding what would later become Main Street. The first business was a saw and grist mill, followed by a blacksmith shop.

During the War Between the States, growth was brought to a virtual standstill, but after the end of the war, Madison began its growth again. New businesses opened in 1869 and residents filed a petition with the County Probate Judge to incorporate. At that time, the word “Station” was dropped and the town went from Madison Station to simply Madison.

By the 1980’s Madison’s population had grown and then more tripled by 1990. Today, Madison is one of the fastest growing cities in the southeastern U.S.

To learn more, visit: http://www.madisonal.gov/DocumentView.aspx?DID=521

Attractions & Activities

Clay House Museum

The Clay House Museum invites visitors to travel back in time to a century of history, fro the 1850’s to 1950’s. Guided tours are offered and will be offered for special events.

 

 

 

Golf

With ten courses in and around Madison, there’s plenty of room to swing that club as much as you’d like!

 

 

 

Insanity A Skate of Mind
Insanity A Skate of Mind is a 30,000 square foot skate park perfect for skateboarders and in line skaters. A concrete bowl, three large fun boxes and more, make for tons of fun!

For more information on attractions in Madison, visit: http://madison.alabama.com/attractions_results.html

 

 

 

 

 

For a complete listing of golf courses, visit: http://madison.alabama.com/maps_golf_courses.html?category=Golf+Courses

Parks & Recreation

With three city parks and neighborhood parks galore, the city of Madison provides the highest level of care and maintenance for their residents, offering fun parks for the whole family to enjoy!

For a complete listing of parks and their amenities, visit: http://www.ci.madison.al.us/index.aspx?NID=118

 

Events Calendar

Dublin Park’s Trail of Fears Join the fun of the hay ride under the moon during a crisp autumn night while trying not to scream!

Fourth of July Celebration and Fireworks Display Dublin Park is where it’s at for the 4th of July in Madison! Activities and food, entertainment and fireworks for everybody!

Madison Christmas Parade Join us for our annual parade through town and the Awards Ceremony following the parade at the Roundhouse Village Green!

For a complete listing of events in Madison, visit: http://www.madisonal.gov/index.aspx?nid=216