Let there be light

By Staff
Historic society purchases gas lanterns for district
By Thomas Tingle
Record Managing Editor
The enjoyment of an evening stroll down Church Street in historic downtown Madison will be enhanced thanks to the efforts of the Madison Station Historical Preservation Society with the installation of 12 gas lanterns.
Monies raised by the society through its annual Historic Tour of Homes in December were used to purchase the gas lanterns. Randall Rivers, president of the society, said the city of Madison has agreed to flip the bill in the cost of providing gas for the lanterns and the North Alabama Gas District was kind enough to install the lines and lanterns free of charge.
Society members Amy Lanz and Jean Steadman said it is intended for the society to purchase gas lanterns to illuminate all of the streets in the historical district.
"Richards Lighting ordered the lanterns for us and the NAGD recently installed the lines and put up the lanterns," Steadman said.
"Now we are waiting for the NAGD to turn the gas on," Lanz added.
Steadman said the MSHPS has contributed to a number of downtown enhancement projects such as the construction of The Roundhouse on the Village Green and the iron fence that runs parallel to the railroad tracks.
"I'd like to see every street in the historic district illuminated with these gas lights and as funds are raised, that is our intent," Rivers said.
The society will hold its next tour of homes on Dec. 8.