Antebellum Trail, Madison, GA

Today, for our look at DOORS, we’re visiting Madison, Georgia, population 3,636. The Historic District in Madison is one of the largest in the state with almost 100 antebellum homes (homes built prior to the American Civil War) that to this day are still lovingly cared for and lived in. Most have never been sold, but passed along in the family. Madison is featured on Georgia’s Antebellum Trail (The Antebellum Trail is a 100 mile trek through seven historic communities that escaped Sherman’s burning march through Georgia, during the Civil War)  Madison has been voted “The Prettiest Small Town in America.”

Location of Georgia Antebellum Trail

Towns on Georgia Antebellum Trail

First we have to get there! Just follow the country road and go through the covered bridge. There are not too many of these left either!

Covered Bridge near Madison, Georgia

Covered Bridge near Madison, Georgia

Entering Madison, first there is the business district, so well preserved on a town square.

Madison, Georgia County Courthouse and Town Hall

Chamber of Commerce, Madison, Georgia

The Pink Petit Jardin, Madison, Georgia

The SchoolHouse, Madison, Georgia

In Madison, they make it easy to look at some of the homes, just follow the Wellness Trail!

Wellness Trail, Madison, Georgia

No, I didn’t take a photo of every house, but I should have. And I photographed the entire site so you could get an idea of the architecture and size of the dwelling. I don’t have the correct southern drawl to just walk up to the front of the house like I’m a long lost relative! Most of the homes also sit on lovely lots of many acres, that were former plantations.  In 1890, the population was 2,131, and the town boasted of an oil mill, a soap factory, a fertilizer factory, four steam ginneries, two carriage factories, a furniture factory, a grist and flour mill, bottling works, a distillery with a capacity of 120 gallons a day, an ice factory, a canning factory, a bank with a capital of $75,000 and a number of individual businesses! They were very well off I’d say! AND the homes reveal just how wealthy they were!

The Big House, Madison, Georgia

The Cottage Next to the Big House, Madison, Georgia

Madison was founded in 1807 and was named for President James Madison. It was described as “the most cultured and aristocratic town on the stagecoach route from Charleston to New Orleans.” Many believe that General William Tecumseh Sherman spared the town because it was too beautiful to burn down during his March to the Sea, but in truth Madison was home to pro-Union Senator Joshua Hill, who had ties with Sherman’s brother at West Point. It’s not what you know, but who you know, that counted here!

The Pale Blue Home, Madison, Georgia

Madison, Georgia

This one is getting an Up-Do!

Madison, Georgia

 I hope you enjoyed our stroll through town. I am dividing this post into two sections, because there were so many great doors! Next week the Cottages of Madison, those for the regular folk! See you there!

This is just one of many photos in the Thursday Door Collection featured by Norm2.0!   Won’t you join in or take a peak at all the doors?