Madison, Georgia

Madison, Georgia is about 25 miles from where we are staying.  Named #1 Small Town in America by Travel Holiday Magazine, it really is a pretty little town.  We picked up a walking tour map at the Visitor Center, then set off on the three mile route.  Here's a few of my photos.

 

Heritage Hall, formerly the home of a Confederate medical doctor, now houses the Morgan County Historical Society.

 

 

First United Methodist.  Love the copper dome!

 

 

Baptist Church.  Built with bricks made by slaves from a local plantation.  I don't even know what to say about that.

 

 

This house is right between the Baptist church and the Presbyterian church.  There's a tunnel beneath the house, leading to the Presbyterian church.  Rumor says it was used by the Underground Railroad. 

 

 

This is a side view of the Presbyterian church.  It has Tiffany stained glass windows.  The picture really doesn't do them justice.

 

The town of Madison was chartered in 1809.  Many of the fine houses were built by plantation owners between 1830 and 1860.

 

General Sherman's men spared the town of Madison because of Joshua Hill, a former U.S. senator who resigned his seat because of his Union sympathies.  General Sherman mentioned their "Gentleman's Agreement" to spare the town in his memoirs.

 

I've never seen so many gorgeous homes (and landscaping!) in such a small area.  I took over 50 photos.  Want to see more?