Director

Clay House was the home of Sarah A. Clay, widow of Andrew J. Clay a private in the Molly Walton Guard and casualty of the Civil War. Sarah was also the daughter in law of the first Mayor of Madison Thomas J. Clay. Sarah Clay was listed as a seamstress with one child in the 1870 census living in downtown Madison. Her son Wiley Webb was killed in the “battle of the Wilderness”. This House was originally a 2 story, 2 room federal style house, without a porch of any kind. The Bungalow style porch was added in the 1920’s when Dr. J. Ollie Wikle bought the house. Sarah Russell Clay, Civil War widow of Andrew Clay, was the first owner of Lot 7.  However, she initially lived on the south half of Lot 7, later dwelling on Lot 9.  The north “part” of Lot 7 was deeded by Sarah to Thomas and John Hopkins, grandsons of Alabama's second governor Thomas Bibb, acting as agents for a Protestant Episcopal Church.  The deed stipulated that the property was to be used as a "Poor House" for widows and orphans of soldiers and other destitute persons.  The occupations of subsequent owners indicate that the structure was used through the years not only for family residences, but also probably as Madison's first hotel, mortuary, hospital, museum of fine china, and art gallery.

Clay House was the home of Sarah A. Clay, widow of Andrew J. Clay a private in the Molly Walton Guard and casualty of the Civil War. Sarah was also the daughter in law of the first Mayor of Madison Thomas J. Clay. Sarah Clay was listed as a seamstress with one child in the 1870 census living in downtown Madison.  

16 Main Street - Clay House

This is a walking tour of Historic Madison Station.  It begins downtown and then travels down Main, continues on Front, then up Buttermilk Alley.  It then travels to Madison United Methodist Church and continues north on Church Street.  This permits the view of many homes constructed in the late-1800's to early 1900's.  It then turns to the travel toward Madison Elementary School which has served this community for many years.  A huge thanks to John Rankin.  John has spent a significant amount of time collecting, writing, and publishing the history of Madison.  His work has formed the basis of much of what you get from this tour.  

Madison Station Historic District Walking Tour

The house at 12 Main stands on Lot 2 of the original town plat of James Clemens' land that became the City of Madison.  Lot 2 was first purchased at the October 5, 1868, Clemens estate auction by Hamilton G. Bradford.  The property changed hands many times until Seymour and Indiana Doolittle built their home here.  They also purchased in an 1876 auction the adjacent Lot 1, which had been bought at the 1868 auction by John J. “Studdivant” (Sturdivant) of Limestone County.   The Doolittles likewise purchased Lots 3 and 4 that had initially been purchased by Theodorick S. Clay, a brother of Thomas J. Clay and Andrew Clay, all of whom appear in the history of Madison.  Andrew died in the Civil War while his family lived in Limestone County in the Shoal Ford area.  However, Andrew's widow Sarah Russell Webb Clay moved into Madison and ended up purchasing Lots 7, 8, 9, and 10 by 1869.  Theodorick and his wife Jane purchased Lots 17 and 18 for their house across the tracks near Thomas J. Clay. Sarah Russell had married Robertson Webb, a man 41 years her senior.  In the 1850 census she was 24, and he was 65.  They had several children together in addition to being guardians of the three Clay brothers, who were children of Robertson's sister (or daughter?) Nancy Webb Clay.  After Robertson passed away, Sarah married Andrew Clay, one of the matured children that she and Robertson had raised, but who was still closer to Sarah's age.  More of Sarah's story is told in relation to the Clay House at 16 Main Street.

The house at 12 Main stands on Lot 2 of the original town plat of James Clemens' land that became the City of Madison.  Lot 2 was first purchased at the October 5, 1868, Clemens estate auction by Hamilton G. Bradford.  The property changed hands many times until Seymour and Indiana Doolittle built their home here.  

12 Main Street

Clay House was the home of Sarah A. Clay, widow of Andrew J. Clay a private in the Molly Walton Guard and casualty of the Civil War. Sarah was also the daughter in law of the first Mayor of Madison Thomas J. Clay. Sarah Clay was listed as a seamstress with one child in the 1870 census living in downtown Madison. Her son Wiley Webb was killed in the “battle of the Wilderness”. This House was originally a 2 story, 2 room federal style house, without a porch of any kind. The Bungalow style porch was added in the 1920’s when Dr. J. Ollie Wikle bought the house.  Sarah Russell Clay, Civil War widow of Andrew Clay, was the first owner of Lot 7.  However, she initially lived on the south half of Lot 7, later dwelling on Lot 9.  The north “part” of Lot 7 was deeded by Sarah to Thomas and John Hopkins, grandsons of Alabama's second governor Thomas Bibb, acting as agents for a Protestant Episcopal Church.  The deed stipulated that the property was to be used as a "Poor House" for widows and orphans of soldiers and other destitute persons.  The occupations of subsequent owners indicate that the structure was used through the years not only for family residences, but also probably as Madison's first hotel, mortuary, hospital, museum of fine china, and art gallery.

This structure was erected in 1954-5 as a multi-function third City Hall. The first City Hall was the original Roundhouse. The second was a two-story wooden building located at the southwestern corner of the intersection of Garner and Martin Streets, where George Washington Wise's house had been. Since the early 1990s Madison has enjoyed a modern fourth City Hall on Hughes Road. The facility at 101 Main Street is operated by owner Cindy Sensenberger as a restaurant, with an outdoor pavilion and inside seating, including two of the 1950s jail cells. It is hugely popular with many dishes favored by local residents. Recently, this restaurant began opening for dinner on selected

This structure was erected in 1954 - 1955 as a multi-function third City Hall. The first City Hall was the original Roundhouse. The second was a two-story wooden building located at the southwestern corner of the intersection of Garner and Martin Streets, where George Washington Wise's house had been.  City Hall is now located at the new Madison Government Center on Hughes Road.  


101 Main Street: Main Street Cafe

This building was originally constructed around 1942,  It now hosts Zion Gourmet Popcorn and is a favorite of those with a sweet tooth!  The structure was previously the office of Billy Nolan Drake, a grandson of Jim Williams.  This location was also part of the site of the Jim Williams' store that encompassed the parking lot along Wise Street as well.  

104 Main Street

108 Main Street currently houses Jacklyn's Keepsakes. The site is the former building that was the site of W. T. Garner's store in the 1890s. James "Jim" Bronaugh general merchandise store operated from this site circa 1910. By 1942, Mr. Douglas C. Broyes moved his business to this location after a fire at 104 Main Street destroyed his store. From the early 1960s to the late 1980s, 108 Main Street was the upscale Barbara's Dress Shoppe operated by Barbara Ann Hughes Spencer. After that, for a time it was an excellent portrait studio photography business, run by Gregg Young. Now it houses Jacklyn's specialty keepsakes and collectibles shop.

108 Main Street currently houses Jacklyn's Keepsakes.  The site is the former building that was the site of W. T. Garner's store in the 1890s.  James "Jim" Bronaugh general merchandise store operated from this site circa 1910.  By 1942, Mr. Douglas C. Broyes moved his business to this location after a fire at 104 Main Street destroyed his store.

108 Main Street

Believed to be one of the oldest stores in Madison, the building was built circa 1859 and owned by Mr. George Washington Martin. Later, Mr. Hardage operated a saloon in the building which was one of two in Madison at that time. Sometime thereafter, Mr. Robert Parham Cain bought the building and opened and operated a grocery store. His son Mr. Robert Earl Cain continued in the mercantile business there. From MSHPS Nomination: 110 Main Street (1859) faces northwest. This two-story, painted brick commercial building is believed to be one of the oldest commercial structures in Madison Station. The front-gabled roof includes overhanging eaves with decorative brackets. The large upper story windows are six over six sash with true divided lights. The recessed front entrance has two large display windows and a sign band that runs the width of the entrance.  The building now houses Madison Station Antiques.

Believed to be one of the oldest stores in Madison, the building was built circa 1859 and owned by Mr. George Washington Martin.  Later,  Mr. Hardage operated a saloon in the building which was one of two in Madison at that time.  Today, the building houses Madison Station Antiques.  

110 Main Street - Madison Station Antiques

This is the second drug store building, which was the Burton-Wise Drug Store, Built ca. 1908. The store stayed in the Burton-Bradford family until 1975. Mr. Walton Hughes rented the building in 1925 and was in business until 1972. This is also the location of the first telephone switchboard for the city of Madison.

 This is the second drug store building, which was the Burton-Wise Drug Store, Built ca. 1908.  The store stayed in the Burton-Bradford family until 1975. Mr. Walton Hughes rented the building in 1925 and was in business until 1972.  This is also the location of the first telephone switchboard for the city.


200 Main Street - Humphrey Hughes Rexall Drug Store

Frank G. Hertzler, son of Dr. John Hertzler, operated a hardware store at this 208 Main Street site in partnership with Matthew Harvey Anderson, the banker who lived at 17 Front Street.  Frank built and resided in the house at 25 Front Street.  The original store structure here was destroyed in the 1912 fire, and the tax office records of the county show that the current building was constructed in 1940.  A couple of years after Robert Edgar (“Pud”) True and his wife Gladys McFarlen True moved to Madison, they bought the building and operated a grocery store from 1944 to 1976.  In fact, during their first three months in Madison, the True's rented a room in the former residence of Frank Hertzler at 25 Front Street.  For a time this building was also operated as an annex to the post office.when the post office was located next door in the 206 Main Street location. According to the 1890 Hartford Insurance Company map of Madison, an early structure at 210 Main was the office of Dr. Richard M. Fletcher.  A later use of the location according to the 1905 Alabama Mercantile Book was the drugstore of Pride &amp; Bradford.  Thomas Logan Bradford was only 35 years old when he committed suicide by taking an overdose of morphine from this drugstore.  He had married Fannie Burton, a daughter of John Mullins Burton, who owned the competing drugstore at the 216 Main location.  The Bradfords had bought the house at 306 Church Street in 1906 and had a daughter born there.  Thomas had been employed by his father-in-law for a while, but resigned to go into partnership in the store at 210 Main by about 1904.  His suicide note mentioned failing health and business losses.After the passing of Tom Bradford, there are indications the drug store reopened as the Phoenix Drugstore. However, it may have also been the name for the rebuilt store after the fire of 1912 heavily damaged the structure. Tom's wife Fannie moved into her father's house at 21 Front Street and wrote a weekly column about Madison for the Huntsville newspaper for the remainder of her life.A vintage comic book business utilized the 208 building in the 1990s, but it was later renovated by Walt and Larry Anderson to become the Bandito Burrito restaurant. The restaurant occupied not only 208 Main, but it later included the location at 210 Main Street.  The Madison Drug Company was established at 210 Main by Dr. Luther Wikle and his partner Ben Porter in 1912.  It may then have been given the name of the Phoenix Drugstore.  Wikle later sold his interest to William Russell, a son of the constable of that name who also ran the gristmill for which Mill Road is named.  Since 2015 208 and 210 Main have been occupied by Old Black Bear Brewing. Old Black Bear is a favorite hangout for locals and guests. Often on Friday nights during the summer there is live music on the patio to the east of 210 Main.

Frank G. Hertzler, son of Dr. John Hertzler, operated a hardware store at this 208 Main Street site in partnership with Matthew Harvey Anderson, the banker who lived at 17 Front Street.  Frank built and resided in the house at 25 Front Street.  The original store structure here was destroyed in the 1912 fire, and the tax office records of the county show that the current building was constructed in 1940.  

208 Main Street

The Veterans Memorial Park is located on the southwest corner of the intersection of Church and Front Streets. The park was designed and constructed by Madison American Legion Post 229 in the spring and summer of 2001. The park is dedicated to Jesse Ollie Wikle, Jr., who was the first Madison man to lose his life in World War II and to the members of the United States Military from the city of Madison who lost their lives during the wars of the 20th century. Captain Wikle was a "Flying Fortress" (Boeing B-1 7) pilot, who named his aircraft "The Flaming Maymie" in honor of his red-headed Madison girlfriend, Maymie Louise Dublin. He was shot down and killed over Tunisia. The flag pole was refurbished and relocated from its former location next to the old city hall on Main Street. Likewise, the monument was moved from its location on Main Street to its present location inthe park. Water and electrical services were installed underground and the park was delineated by planting a hedge around it. A flower bed was constructed of landscaping bricks and is formed in the shape of a heart. The heart shape is symbolic of the Purple Heart Award presented to service men and women wounded or killed in combat operations. There is a small plaque for each of the fifteen service men from Madison who gave their lives in our 20th century wars. Both the flag pole and the Purple Heart flower bed are illuminated during the hours of darkness. The Veterans Memorial Park was dedicated on the 21st of September 2001 , only days after theUnited States found itself in a new kind of war it had never known - a war with terrorists.

The Veterans Memorial Park is located on the southwest corner of the intersection of Church and Front Streets. The park was designed and constructed by Madison American Legion Post 229 in the spring and summer of 2001.

The park is dedicated to Jesse Ollie Wikle, Jr., who was the first Madison man to lose his life in World War II, and to the members of the United States Military from the city of Madison who lost their lives during the wars of the 20th century. 

Madison Veteran's Memorial Park

Confederate reports are sparse from those last months of the war, but there are numerous documents of the engagement preserved in Union accounts. The most descriptive Union reports were filed by Colonel Gorgas of the 13th Illinois Infantry. He first told that a cavalry force of about 1,000 with four artillery pieces attacked on May 17 about 8 o'clock in the morning. When General John Smith reported the engagement a day later, he stated that Madison Station had been attacked at 8 a.m. from all directions by a large force, numbering about 1,000 to 3,000 men with four pieces of artillery. Gorgas recounted that “...we were obliged to fall back, after a severe fight, and, being completely surrounded, we cut our way through their lines, and fell back to the bridge and water tank, about three miles east. We formed and returned to this place (Madison), and, after skirmishing, drove them from the town. They captured several of our men, what number we are not able to say. Our camp and garrison equipage, together with all the regimental and company papers, are either destroyed or carried off. The depot buildings are burned, together with about 50 bales of cotton. (He said 70 bales in a later report.) The railroad is all right, telegraph lines cut. We are left here without rations, and but little ammunition.” A much more detailed account of the engagement was filed by Gorgas a day or so later. In it, he specified that the artillery consisted of “four 12-pounder howitzers”. He wrote that the attacking force was under the command of Colonel Josiah Patterson and included “two regiments of mounted infantry”. He blamed the successful surprise upon local citizens guiding the rebels to the locations of his five pickets, who were then overwhelmed before they could sound the alarm. In fact, subsequently the Union occupiers arrested Madison residents Dr. Richard Matthew Fletcher, Edward Betts, and James Harvey Pride. They were taken into Huntsville to be tried and hanged as spies for complicity in the event. After a gallows was constructed, a recently-transferred and remotely-located but friendly senior Union officer who knew that Dr. Fletcher had compassionately treated Federal soldiers during the occupation years came to Huntsville and had the men released.

May 17, 1864

The largest engagement of the Civil War in Madison County was fought during a driving rainstorm here at the site of the railroad depot. Under the command of Col. Josiah Patterson, the Confederate forces (~1000 cavalry and a battery of artillery) crossed the Tennessee River near Triana and attacked a garrison of ~350 men of the 13th Illinois Infantry. Union forces fell back along the railroad toward Huntsville to Indian Creek. They counterattacked after being reinforced by infantry from Huntsville. Confederates were forced back across the river after burning equipment and cotton at the depot. Casualties were light on both sides.

Historical Marker: Affair at Madison Station

This building is a replica of Madison's first city hall and is constructed on the original site of the Madison Depot. The original was built in the late 1800s while Capt. John Buchanan Floyd, a Confederate veteran was mayor. "The Roundhouse" served as the official city hall for town meetings, elections, and town activities such as weddings, hair cutting (when the barber made his weekly visit), and frequent card games. The original "Roundhouse" was dismantled in approximately 1938.  The foundation is still visible in downtown Madison on the south side of the railroad tracks near Main Street Cafe. Plans for this replica began in 1968 while E.O. Baston was mayor to commemorate Madison's Centennial in 1969.  This Replica was constructed on September 21, 1986 at the annual street festival by developer John Hathaway and The Wild Boys Land &amp; Cattle Company and community volunteers. Burwell L. "Sonny" Wilbanks was mayor.

This building is a replica of Madison's first city hall and is constructed on the original site of the Madison Depot. The original was built in the late 1800s while Capt. John Buchanan Floyd, a Confederate veteran was mayor. "The Roundhouse" served as the official city hall for town meetings, elections, and town activities such as weddings, hair cutting (when the barber made his weekly visit), and frequent card games.

Madison Station Roundhouse

This mansion was built by James Edward Williams at 19 Front Street in the historic original downtown part of Madison. The impressive multi-story home with wrap-around porches on two levels proudly graces the Front Street line of old houses reflecting the glory of Madison in the early 1900s. The back wing of this house was built around 1869 by William B. Dunn, Madison’s first railroad depot agent, who was also a physician. Dunn was a brother of Jackie Dunn Wiggins, who lived on a plantation east of today’s jetplex. The two-story part of the house was constructed by Jim and Mattie Whitworth Williams around 1904, incorporating Dunn’s house as part of the dwelling, which makes it probably the oldest house standing within the historic town limits of Madison. The home was purchased and saved from decay by Chris and Lynn Crumbley in January of 2011. They have restored the structure to its former glory, making interior improvements that considerably added to its modern functionality and decor while retaining the historical features. Below is the story of Jim Williams, summarized in the December 17, 1913, special issue of Huntsville’s newspaper THE WEEKLY MERCURY.  <blockquote>“J. E. Williams, raised in Madison, forms a splendid example of what an ambitious man may accomplish by grasping opportunities that abound in this community. He started in young manhood (at age 16) sharecropping on the farm of Dr. W. F. Pride in 1883. In the year 1892 he had accumulated enough funds to purchase a farm of 180 acres, from the proceeds of which he bought in 1896 another tract containing 640 acres. In 1900 he added 280 acres to his possession. In 1903 he added another parcel of 560 acres and still more all along the way. Commencing without funds he has pushed forward. He has surmounted every difficulty, gradually building upward all the time until he now owns four large farms aggregating about 1900 acres. His farms are worth an average of about $20 per acre. The annual production of the farms is conservatively estimated to be about $18,000. Mr. Williams also raises considerable livestock, especially cattle, which he uses in his own market in connection with his mercantile establishment. Thereby he assures his customers the best meats at lowest possible prices. Aside from a full and complete line of merchandise, in which may be found just about anything that could possibly be needed in the home or on the farm, he also handles farm implements. He has just now begun supplying a long-standing need of the town by establishing a first-class livery stable. Mr. Williams has assisting in his business those two ‘old reliable’ clerks, Tom W. Carter and Arthur H. Lewis.”</blockquote> The 1913 newspaper misstated Williams' childhood to a degree. He was not “raised in Madison,” but rather on a farm in Limestone County near Madison. On the other hand, the newspaper included not only the life story article, but it also printed a photo of the house and a photo of the man, with the caption “Mr. J. E. Williams, Alderman, Merchant and Planter”.

This mansion was built by James Edward Williams at 19 Front Street in the historic original downtown part of Madison. The impressive multi-story home with wrap-around porches on two levels proudly graces the Front Street line of old houses reflecting the glory of Madison in the early 1900s. 

19 Front Street

The house is located on original Lots 23 and 24, including possibly part of Lot 22 in the yard. Lot 24 was first purchased from James Clemens by carpenter Edmund “Ned” Martin on 5 March 1860, just about three months before Clemens’ death and about a year before the start of the Civil War and the associated Emancipation Proclamation. It was the last lot sold by Clemens himself. Edmund was a “free man of color” per deed records and the 1860 census. That census showed that Edmund was thirty years old, had a wife named Sarah at age forty-five and a daughter named Lucinda at age nine, all born in Alabama. They were enumerated in a complex of free Black households clustered around the house of Blacksmith William T. Dunnivant, who lived next door to Theodorick Clay. Clay lived on today's Front Street at the west side of Buttermilk Alley. Additional data in the Madison County deeds show that Edmund Martin was born in Morgan County. He was living in Valhermosa Springs of Morgan County at the time of the 1870 census. It may be that events related to the Civil War led to Edmund Martin abandoning Lot 24 or otherwise leaving Madison. The fact is that after the Reconstruction-era chancery court’s handling of the Clemens estate in 1868, physician and depot agent William Dunn sold Lot 24 to Bettie Turner. She was noted as his “coloured” servant in Deed Book JJ, pages 455–6. Matthew Harvey Anderson purchased the lots in 1904. Harvey Anderson was one of the Directors of the Bank of Madison, founded in 1904. He also was a principal partner of Anderson–Bronaugh &amp; Company as well as the Hertzler–Anderson Company. Both businesses were general stores, which sold groceries and other merchandise, according to the 1905 Alabama Merchantile book listings. Harvey and his wife, Annie Hertzler Anderson, were both from Ohio with Pennsylvania roots. In fact, Annie’s father, Dr. John Hertzler, also came to Madison from Ohio after the Civil War. Annie's brother, Frank Hertzler, later built and lived in the house at 25 Front Street. After constructing a large house on the lot along Front Street, the Andersons sold it by 1926 to Dr. James Allen Kyser. Dr. Kyser was recognized by the U.S. government for helping to bring the 1918–9 flu epidemic under control in north Alabama. The Kyser family lived in the house for nearly fifty years, and then it was purchased by Billy J. and Nancy Jane Jones of Huntsville. In 1997, the collapsing and abandoned old house was purchased at auction by Tony and Cindy Sensenberger. They lovingly restored and expanded it, keeping as much of the original structure as possible. Today the house has surpassed even its former glory.

Matthew Harvey Anderson, Merchant and Director of the Bank of Madison, built this house sometime after July of 1904, the date when he purchased Lots 23 and 24. It was occupied by Dr. James Allen Kyser for about 50 years before falling into neglect. Tony and Cindy Sensenberger purchased the ready-to-collapse structure at auction in 1997.



17 Front Street

{Most of the land for Buttermilk Alley was deeded to the city by the Clay family with the stipulation that it be named "Clay Street." Later it was called "Hobson Street" before the name "Buttermilk Alley" became widely used.} Mrs. Annie Mae Humphrey Drake always told a story about this little alley in Madison. Her mother, Mrs. William Benford Humphrey, used to give milk and bread to the train hobos during the depression years of the 1930s and early 1940s. The story has remained and in 1986, the city of Madison erected an official street sign, "Buttermilk Alley." Betty Lou Taylor Benson, former City Clerk-Treasurer for the city, tells the following stories: During the courting stages of every teenager in the 1950s, Buttermilk Alley was a safe place at twilight for sweethearts to take a walk and hold hands. Mrs. Katie, a lady who worked for Dr. James Allen Kyser on Front Street, would be sitting on her porch and " she kept an eye out for the children." The children and the parents felt secure in the knowledge that their children were A-OK. The alleyway was a good place for bike riding (no cars) during the day and was the site of a fun hay ride for Billy Nolan Drake's birthday party in the late 1940s. On that day, a special wagon with ponies wearing Mexican hats delighted all in attendance. Billy Nolan's mother, Willie Kate Williams Drake, served ice cream in the form of orange pumpkins which some children had never seen before. Buttermilk Alley was, and still is, a quiet, little alley for a short, peaceful walk. Although an occasional car is seen in the alley, it is still a great place for children of all ages to enjoy and savor the small town atmosphere of the City.

Most of the land for Buttermilk Alley was deeded to the city by the Clay family with the stipulation that it be named "Clay Street."  Later it was called "Hobson Street" before the name "Buttermilk Alley" became widely used.  Buttermilk Alley runs north and south and connects Arnett Street with Front Street.

Buttermilk Alley

Madison United Methodist Church is at 127 Church Street in Madison, Alabama. The church was organized in 1828. A deed was issued in 1837 to the ''Trustees of the Methodist Church in U.S. of America" by Rowland and Elizabeth Gooch and was recorded in 1838. The original structure was located at the crossroads of the present Old Madison Pike and Hughes Road intersection, also known as Riddle's Corner and the "Old Triana Road."The present site was purchased in 1873, and the church was rolled on logs to the present lo­cation. At that time, it was a single room frame building. In 1947, under the leadership of Rev. Thelmer Vaughn, the building was brick veneered and the first educational units were built, including the kitchen, dining room, pastor's study and Memorial Windows. This effort was completed in April 1948. Rev. S. Allen Balch, a native of Madison, held the official opening. The Dedication Service was held on Sunday, September 2, 1951, with Bishop Clare Purcell, who served the circuit from 1910-1913, leading the service.A second addition included classrooms, a kitchen and a fellowship hall. It was completed in 1964 under the leadership of Rev. Howard Collins. In 1987, under the leadership of Rev. Joe Estes, the vestibule was remodeled including a new floor, doors and steps. On the north side, a ramp was installed where the old entrance was located.About 56 pastors have served the church from Alexander Little Page Green in 1828 to our present pastor (at the time of this writing), Rev. Bobby Ray Halbrooks, who came to the church from St. Luke United Methodist Church in Decatur, Alabama in 1996. The following statement was made by one of the pastors to the Quarterly Conference: "No better people can be found anywhere than those of the Madison United Methodist Church."And this still applies today.Contributed by: Percy KeelChurch HistorianToday, Dr. Travis Wilson serves as the pastor for this congregation.

The Madison United Methodist Church was organized in 1828. A deed was issued in 1837 to the ''Trustees of the Methodist Church in U.S. of America" by Rowland and Elizabeth Gooch and was recorded in 1838. The church was located at the crossroads of the present Old Madison Pike and Hughes Road intersection, also known as Riddle's Corner and the "Old Triana Road."  The present site was purchased in 1873, and the church was rolled on logs to the present lo­cation.

Madison United Methodist Church

This historic home has recently been extensively and impressively restored, remodeled, and enlarged by Teddy and Rikki Powell. It originally was built by Arthur Holding Lewis, a son of Meriwether A. Lewis of Triana. Lewis descendants say that Meriwether owned three steamboats to carry cotton to market from his plantation. It is believed that beams from one of the salvaged river boats formed the foundation of this house. Arthur Lewis had a store at the 104 Main Street location that is now a parking lot. Arthur married Mattie Cartwright after a short, but strange, courtship, and their family includes ties to the local Humphrey and Spencer families, as well as ancestral lineage back to George Washington's grandfather. There are definite indications that this home was initially constructed by A. H. Lewis in 1873, possibly as a condition of getting Mattie to marry him. The Lewis home eventually was owned by Fred and Ora B. Wann. Fred worked as a clerk in the post office, while Ora was the postmaster for many years. To the right is an older photo of the house from the Historical Society files.

This historic home has recently been extensively and impressively restored, remodeled, and enlarged by Teddy and Rikki Powell. It originally was built by Arthur Holding Lewis, a son of Meriwether A. Lewis of Triana. Lewis descendants say that Meriwether owned three steamboats to carry cotton to market from his plantation. It is believed that beams from one of the salvaged river boats formed the foundation of this house. 

302 Church Street - Lewis - Wann - Powell Home

The Gillespie-Wikle home was built in 1987 by William H. Gillespie. Thomas Logan Bradfordand his wife Fannie Burton moved into the home in 1906. Tom was a pharmacist working withhis future father-in-law, John Mullins Burton. In 1905 he bought another drugstore in Madisonin partnership with James Harvey Pride-- not the senior of that name (a state senator), but his grandson.   Mrs. Ora Wikle, a Madison school teacher, lived in the home for approximately twenty years. She was the daughter-in-law of Dr. Luther L. Wikle, a Madison physician who lived across the street at 309 Church Street. Mrs. Wikle built an addition to the north side of the home and rented this as an apartment for a number of years. The home has had several owners over the years. Stephen and Brenda Hopkins purchased the homein 1982. They later sold it to Dale and JoAnn McDermott. In 1998, Mike and Nell McMinn purchased the home. They replaced the old kitchen with a new onealong with cosmetic touches through-out the home. They also added a white picket fence to the frontyard. Michael and Judy Andrewjeski most recently lived in this home but they have recently sold the home and moved.

The Gillespie-Wikle home was built in 1987 by William H. Gillespie. Thomas Logan Bradford
and his wife Fannie Burton moved into the home in 1906. Tom was a pharmacist working with
his future father-in-law, John Mullins Burton. In 1905 he bought another drugstore in Madison
in partnership with James Harvey Pride-- not the senior of that name (a state senator), but his grandson.  

306 Church Street - Gillespie – Wikle1897

The house was built by J. Wesley Taylor of Mobile and sold to Mr. J. Pryor Farley on November 19, 1910. The Sturdivants bought the house on August 7, 1943 from Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Gatlin. The Sears and Roebuck home is in the Victorian style with a gable roof. The apex of the gables is carved fish scales and diamonds. The wrap-around porch has original gingerbread trim on engaged columns. The other columns were replaced with wrought iron and the original weatherboard was covered with asbestos singles.    Mr. and Mrs. Claude "Tiny" Sturdivant had two sons, Claude L. Sturdivant, Jr. and James G. Sturdivant. Mr. Sturdivant was the son of the late Robert L. "Bob" Sturdivant who was mayor of Madison for a number of years. Mrs. Sturdivant is the daughter of the James C. Gormley who was a Depot agent and City Clerk.

The house was built by J. Wesley Taylor of Mobile and sold to Mr. J. Pryor Farley on November 19, 1910.  The Sturdivants bought the house on August 7, 1943 from Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Gatlin.  The Sears and Roebuck home is in the Victorian style with a gable roof.  The apex of the gables is carved fish scales and diamonds.  

308 Church Street (Farley-Sturdivant house) The Sears and Roebuck home

The original structure was erected in 1936 on the previous site of Madison Training School, which was chartered on February 25, 1895 and was the second organized school in Madison. Upon its completion the school consisted of eleven classrooms, a banquet room, an auditorium, a gymnasium, and served as a high school. Madison became a junior high school in 1951 when it was decided that 10th, 11th, and 12th grades would go to Butler High School. The school operated a junior high until the 1971-72 school year when 10th grade was added due to overcrowding at Sparkman High School. Those students remained at Madison the following fall as Juniors and on December 7, 1972 grades nine through eleven at Madison were officially named Bob Jones High School. The charter class of 1974 held their graduating ceremonies in the new building and Madison became Madison Middle School, serving grades five through eight until 1980 when grade four was added. Madison Middle became Madison Elementary with the opening of Liberty Middle school in 1990 and served 2nd through 4th grade. On October 13, 1997 the Madison City Council voted to form an independent school system leading to more changes for Madison Elementary. During the summer of 1999 major renovations took place at Madison. classrooms, restrooms, and hallways were updated and the school took the form of what you see today. The original gym was converted into a new library media center, the old library was converted into classrooms, and in 2002 a new gym was completed. Currently Madison Elementary serves roughly 575 students in Kindergarten through 5th grade and is also home to Madison City Schools Learning Academy for elementary students.

Madison Elementary is located in the Madison Station Historic District of the City of Madison. 

The original structure was erected in 1936 on the previous site of Madison Training School, which was chartered on February 25, 1895 and was the second organized school in Madison. Upon its completion the school consisted of eleven classrooms, a banquet room, an auditorium, a gymnasium, and served as a high school. 

Madison Elementary School

Built just after the turn-of-the-century, the Thorson home displays all of the features repeated in many Madison homes. The Roy W. Thorson family lived in the home for many years. They were farmers. The home is a one and one-half story with a hipped roof extending over the veranda which is supported by six Tuscan columns. The entrance has a transom and sidelights that extend to the transom. The large front windows feature a beautiful leaded glass design across the top. Ms. Joan Lynch Spruiell purchased the home in 1980. In 1981, she had the plumbing and electrical completely updated. Today, she and her husband, Scott Haas, live in the home.

Built just after the turn-of-the-century, the Thorson - Haas home displays all of the features found in many Madison homes. The Roy W. Thorson family was local farmers and  lived in the home for many years. The home is a one and one-half story with a hipped roof extending over the veranda which is supported by six Tuscan columns. The entrance has a transom and sidelights that extend to the transom.  The large front windows feature a beautiful leaded glass design across the top.

Madison Station Historic District Walking Tour

16 Main Street - Clay House

Introduction

Images

Backstory and Context