Madison in Madison County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
City of Madison
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, November 8, 2009
1. City of Madison Marker - old location
First officials included William R. Johnston, mayor, and five aldermen, William B. Dunn, first depot agent; Thomas J. Clay, first postmaster; George W. Martin, first merchant; James H. Bibb, planter and Dr. George R. Sullivan.
The community remained small until the growth of industries associated with Redstone Arsenal and the Jetport in the 1950's and 1960's transformed Madison into thriving city.
Erected 1989 by Alabama Historical Association.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Places • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.
Location. 34° 41.609′ N, 86° 44.96′ W. Marker is in Madison, Alabama, in Madison County. It is at the intersection of Main Street and Front Street on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Madison
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in North Alabama and in the Huntsville Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Affair at Madison Station / Affair at Indian Creek Ford (within shouting distance of this marker); Madison County Veterans (within shouting distance of this marker); "The Roundhouse" (within shouting distance of this marker); Trail of Tears (within shouting distance of this marker); Pension Row (approx. 0.4 miles away); Old Madison Cemetery (approx. 0.4 miles away); Madison Cemetery (approx. half a mile away); James Henry Bibb (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, November 8, 2009
2. Madison City Park - old location
Marker is located off photo to the left.
More about this marker. Marker was relocated from the Madison City Park to Main Street next to the old City Hall, between Main and the railroad tracks.
Also see . . .
1. James Henry Bibb. James Henry Bibb was one of the founders of Madison Station, which later became the city of Madison, Alabama. (Submitted on March 18, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)
2. Thomas J. Clay. First Postmaster (Submitted on March 18, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)
3. Dr George Richard Sullivan. Doctor (Submitted on March 18, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, August 25, 2009
3. City of Madison Marker behind Wall of Heroes - old location
Photographed by Deborah Spencer, June 17, 2025
4. City of Madison Marker new location
Photographed by Ken Smith, December 4, 2012
5. City of Madison Missing Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 18, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 2,111 times since then and 38 times this year. Last updated on June 18, 2025, by Deborah Spencer of Huntsville, Alabama. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 18, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 3. submitted on March 22, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 4. submitted on June 20, 2025, by Deborah Spencer of Huntsville, Alabama. 5. submitted on December 7, 2012, by Ken Smith of Milan, Tennessee. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
