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Godfrey

The town of Godfrey was incorporated by the Georgia Legislature on July 25, 1906. However, this community has much older roots. Local lore places the earliest geographic reference to a community...

The town of Godfrey was incorporated by the Georgia Legislature on July 25, 1906. However, this community has much older roots. Local lore places the earliest geographic reference to a community...

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Industrial Corridor

The siting of the railroad, while first controversial, created a new industrial corridor through the community. Just south of downtown, the Madison Steam Factory opened as a textile mill. In town,...

The siting of the railroad, while first controversial, created a new industrial corridor through the community. Just south of downtown, the Madison Steam Factory opened as a textile mill. In town,...

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Freedom of Assembly

With freedom from slavery came freedom of assembly - particularly to worship, evidenced by the early establishment of the first independent black congregation in 1865. African-American churches,...

With freedom from slavery came freedom of assembly - particularly to worship, evidenced by the early establishment of the first independent black congregation in 1865. African-American...

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Foundation to Consolidation

Empowered in 1894 to establish public schools, the City of Madison initiated construction of two graded schools, a contrast to one-room schoolhouses typical of rural areas. Nicholas Ittner of...

Empowered in 1894 to establish public schools, the City of Madison initiated construction of two graded schools, a contrast to one-room schoolhouses typical of rural areas. Nicholas Ittner of...

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Formal Southern Landscapes

Like Madison's high-style architecture, its formal landscapes were Southern translations of both prevalent trends and earlier traditions. Boxwood gardens were an antebellum landscape feature...

Like Madison's high-style architecture, its formal landscapes were Southern translations of both prevalent trends and earlier traditions. Boxwood gardens were an antebellum landscape...

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Early Religious Life

The earliest religious gatherings were held in private homes, schools, or public buildings until the individual congregations organized and constructed structures. Congregations formed quickly:...

The earliest religious gatherings were held in private homes, schools, or public buildings until the individual congregations organized and constructed structures. Congregations formed quickly:...

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Community Settlement

Establishment of Madison was part of a larger movement to settle the Georgia frontier and the westward population shift. The first division of town land created 48 original lots, each measuring...

Establishment of Madison was part of a larger movement to settle the Georgia frontier and the westward population shift. The first division of town land created 48 original lots, each...

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Civic Advancement

The Town of Madison Board of Commissioners selected one of their body each year to serve as President until an 1876 charter amendment incorporated the “City” of Madison and vested leadership in a...

The Town of Madison Board of Commissioners selected one of their body each year to serve as President until an 1876 charter amendment incorporated the “City” of Madison and vested leadership in a...

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Banking Institutions

Prior to the development of the modern financial institutions, many enterprises and ventures were funded through the sale of subscriptions or shares (e.g. railroad, newspapers). Bank startups also...

Prior to the development of the modern financial institutions, many enterprises and ventures were funded through the sale of subscriptions or shares (e.g. railroad, newspapers). Bank startups...

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Antebellum Architecture

As the county gained more plantations, Madison attracted nearby planters desiring to shop, socialize, learn, and worship. Some planters also built in-town homes. Antebellum architecture reflected...

As the county gained more plantations, Madison attracted nearby planters desiring to shop, socialize, learn, and worship. Some planters also built in-town homes. Antebellum architecture reflected...

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Advanced Education Center

Religious denominations organized Georgia’s first colleges for women. Madison flourished as an educational center following the 1850 incorporation of both the Georgia Female College (Baptist),...

Religious denominations organized Georgia’s first colleges for women. Madison flourished as an educational center following the 1850 incorporation of both the Georgia Female College (Baptist),...

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Bostwick

Named in honor of the family who contributed substantially to the economic success of the community, Bostwick was incorporated by the Georgia legislature in 1902. By 1897, before it was...

Named in honor of the family who contributed substantially to the economic success of the community, Bostwick was incorporated by the Georgia legislature in 1902. By 1897, before it was...

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Madison

Named in honor of U.S. President James Madison, the town of Madison was established as the permanent seat of Morgan County and incorporated December 12, 1809. Surveyor Lewis MacLean laid out the...

Named in honor of U.S. President James Madison, the town of Madison was established as the permanent seat of Morgan County and incorporated December 12, 1809. Surveyor Lewis MacLean laid out the...

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In Memory of Matthew Talbot

In memory of Matthew Talbot B. Nov. 27, 1729 Virginia, and his son William Talbot D. 1831 in Walton Co., GA. William bought this land in 1807 and built his home here. Both men served in the...

In memory of Matthew Talbot B. Nov. 27, 1729 Virginia, and his son William Talbot D. 1831 in Walton Co., GA. William bought this land in 1807 and built his home here. Both men served in...

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Early Public Forum

Common among the counties during the settlement period, Morgan County (1807) first transacted public business at a private residence – Fields Kennedy's home. After Madison was designated as the...

Common among the counties during the settlement period, Morgan County (1807) first transacted public business at a private residence – Fields Kennedy's home. After Madison was designated as the...

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Madison Railroad Station

Georgia Railroad chartered in 1833 reached Madison from Augusta in 1841. This, the first brick station in Georgia, was built by John B. Walker on land deeded by Adam B. Saffold. It was partially...

Georgia Railroad chartered in 1833 reached Madison from Augusta in 1841. This, the first brick station in Georgia, was built by John B. Walker on land deeded by Adam B. Saffold. It was...

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Segregated Burial Grounds

Historic burial traditions parallel both the societal structure and economic status of the period. Old Cemetery reveals racially distinct sections reflected in the notable absence of family plots...

Historic burial traditions parallel both the societal structure and economic status of the period. Old Cemetery reveals racially distinct sections reflected in the notable absence of family plots...

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Madison Historic Cemetery

The municipal burial ground is a composite of four cemeteries reflecting the stages of community development. Early Madisonians first established a collective cemetery at the edge of town rather...

The municipal burial ground is a composite of four cemeteries reflecting the stages of community development. Early Madisonians first established a collective cemetery at the edge of town...

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Reconstruction Property Rights

Georgia´s General Assembly of 1865-1866 passed important property rights laws for its black population, most of whom had recently been emancipated. Blacks could legally buy, sell, inherit, and...

Georgia´s General Assembly of 1865-1866 passed important property rights laws for its black population, most of whom had recently been emancipated. Blacks could legally buy, sell, inherit, and...

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Swords

Named in honor of the family who contributed substantially to the economic success of the community, Swords has its roots in the success of the J.B. Swords Distillery. This industrial operation...

Named in honor of the family who contributed substantially to the economic success of the community, Swords has its roots in the success of the J.B. Swords Distillery. This industrial operation...

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