Huntsville in Madison County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Madison County, Alabama

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, July 20, 2025

1. Madison County, Alabama Marker

Inscription. In 1836, on these same grounds, Madison County, Alabama constructed its first courthouse.

On April 16, 1849, Madison County authorized $300 to be paid toward the purchase of a town clock and bell. On January 21, 1850, Madison County furthermore made payment in the amount of $800 to facilitate the purchase and installation of the clock and bell atop the Madison County courthouse.

In 1914, a new courthouse was constructed, and this bell once again was placed in its tower until the courthouse was later demolished to make way for the current courthouse that was constructed in 1964.

Today this bell that has been a part of the history of Madison County, Alabama since 1850 is redirected and proudly displayed for all to see as both a symbol of the great heritage of our past which has led to the ingenuity of our future.

Placed here by the Madison County Commission

Chairman Dale W. Strong • Commissioner Roger Jones • Commissioner Steve Haraway • Commissioner Craig Hill • Commissioner Phil Vandiver • Commissioner Phil Riddick • Commissioner Jeshenry Malone

Erected 2020.

Topics. This historical marker is

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listed in this topic list: Notable Places. A significant historical date for this entry is January 21, 1850.

Location. 34° 43.804′ N, 86° 35.072′ W. Marker is in Huntsville, Alabama, in Madison County. It is at the intersection of Southside Square and Eastside Square, on the left when traveling east on Southside Square. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 124 Southside Square, Huntsville AL, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Alabama.

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: Harrison Brothers Hardware / Daniel Brandon (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Harrison Brothers Hardware

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, July 20, 2025

2. Madison County, Alabama Marker

(a few steps from this marker); Tallulah Bankhead / I. Schiffman Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Site The Huntsville Inn (within shouting distance of this marker); Kate L. Kaufman (within shouting distance of this marker); James Gillespie Birney (within shouting distance of this marker); The Clay Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Monument (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Huntsville.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Harrison Brothers Hardware (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed).

Credits. This page was last revised on July 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 24, 2025, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 123 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 24, 2025, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.