Historical markers revealed in Madison: 'A day that will go down in the history books'
More than a half dozen historical markers have been installed throughout Madison to mark significant sites in the city's history and to tell that history to the city's 25,000 residents and visitors alike.
Seven markers were revealed earlier this week after having been installed and covered in white shrouds for more than a week. Two more historic markers will be coming at a time yet to be determined.
“This was a day that will go down in the history books of Madison,” Madison Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler said of the unveiling of the markers. “It’s amazing that the little community of Madison Station had so many structures of historical significance. We celebrate our heritage and preserve it for our children.”
The markers come on the heels of the city building an arch with the message “Historic Madison” atop the ornate iron and brick structure.
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PREVIOUSLY: Madison historic markers under wraps for now. All will be revealed next week.
One marker sits near the arch where Madison Parkway and Main Street meet and serves as an entrance to the downtown area where there are more markers. The marker tells the city’s history, founded in 1856 following the arrival of the New Orleans, Jackson and Great Northern Railroad.
Five more markers are in the downtown area.
One highlights the Montgomery House, built in 1852 and represents one of the rare structures left that have Gothic Revival architecture.
Another marker tells the story of Madison’s water tower, which was built in 1946 and is an all-steel structure that holds 50,000 gallons.
The John Curran house marker tells the story of the home built in 1840 for the Irish immigrant and wagon maker.
The Farr Mercantile Company has its story told as well. The building was built in 1890.
The Old School Gymnasium is highlighted as a form of art-deco architecture.
The only marker not in the downtown area is the World War II Airfield Hangers on the town's southeast end. The airfield was built in 1940 by the Mississippi Institute of Aeronautics to train Army Air Corps cadets.
There is plenty of new to go along with the old and historic. Besides the downtown entrance sits the dozens of houses already under construction in The Village at Madison, located at Main Street and Madison Parkway. The Village is 25 acres with space for 75 single-family homes and 60,000 square feet of planned commercial development.
Half Shell Oyster was the first business to open in the Village in 2020.
Other tenants, including restaurants, clothing retailers, medical offices and beauty services, have expressed interest in the new buildings.
On the other side of the arch will be the new Bridal Path, which broke ground recently and will be a 10,000-square-foot building housing the historic business moving to Madison after more than 50 years in business in Jackson.
Two more buildings will be built associated with the project that will come later.
The plans for the arch and the markers go back more than five years, but it has taken time to pull all the details together.
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Magnolia District, which is coming to fruition as part of a more extensive downtown development, is set to break ground before the end of the summer.
It is also expected the Madison at Main project will come back online within the year, and the renovation of other historic properties along Madison Avenue has either been completed or is near completion.
Ross Reily can be reached by email at rreily@gannett.com or 601-573-2952. You can follow him on Twitter @GreenOkra1.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Madison unveils seven historic markers throughout the city
