A Brief History Lesson

Those who live in Madison are proud of the city's rich history. Incorporated in 1809, the city was named in honor of President James Madison. The cotton industry was key to Madison's early success, and wealthy plantation owners became common to the area.

Madison was put on the map around 1864 after being spared by General Sherman in his legendary Civil War March to the Sea. According to some records, Madison native and pro-Union Senator Joshua Hill convinced Sherman not to torch the town during his rampage across the state. Hill, a friend of the General's brother, was an early foe of secession and garnered a "gentleman's agreement" with Sherman. While the city itself was spared from flames, several public buildings and some surrounding plantations were razed. As the story was passed to future generations, Madison became known as "the town too pretty to burn."

While Madison grew at the end of the 19th century, the boll weevil crisis of 1910-1920 and the Depression of the 1930s had a huge impact on the city. While dairy farming helped calm the economic blow to the area, Madison's turn for the better did not come about until the construction of Interstate 20 and Lake Oconee in the 1970s.

Today, Madison houses the second largest designated historic district in the state. The district includes more than 100 antebellum homes. When strolling through the area you will experience exquisite fine dining, shops, and historic treasures of architecture and culture. The city also has several trails and is part of the Historic Heartland.