Historical society publishes guide book

Mayor Troy Trulock, at right, accepts a copy of “Madison Station – Historic Downtown Madison, 1857-2015” from Madison Station Historical Preservation Society members Doug Smith, from left, John Rankin and Marsha Willis. (Record photo/Nick Sellers)

MADISON – Madison Station Historical Preservation Society has published a new tour booklet that will guide visitors and residents alike along downtown streets and byways.

The 62-page “Madison Station – Historic Downtown Madison, 1857-2015” serves as an informative and handy guide for walking or driving through the Madison Station historical district.

The book includes explanations of sites of interest in the commercial area, like the Roundhouse, Madison Gazebo and Veterans Memorial Park, along with descriptions of turn-of-the-19th-century homes and antebellum properties.

For each home, the booklet identifies the original and successive owners, as known, throughout the decades. The dwelling’s architectural style is identified and any significant ‘firsts,’ like Madison’s first indoor bathroom in the Cain-Steadman Home at 18 Arnett St.

Main Street’s only remaining residence, the Strong-Whitworth Home, also is documented. The booklet includes houses on Front, Church, College, Arnett, Maple, Martin and Allen streets, along with Mill Road. Interesting accounts of the heritage of Madison United Methodist Church and First Baptist Church of Madison are stated.

John Rankin, Doug Smith and chairperson Marsha Willis, members of the historical society’s book committee, presented a copy of the publication to Madison Mayor Troy Trulock on June 16. Other committee members are Mike Andrewjeski, Lee Grimes, Dawn Johnson, Ron Johnson and Cindy Sensenberger.

The new publication updates and expands a previous booklet from 2003 with four-color photography. Mike Andrewjeski, John Rankin and Ron Willis, who compiled the booklet, contributed photographs.

Copies of “Madison Station – Historic Downtown Madison, 1857-2015” are available for sale for $15 at Main Street Cafe and Whistle Stop Sweet Shop on Main Street. Individuals also can mail payment to the historical society, P.O. Box 2114, Madison, AL 35758.

For more information about the historical society, visit historicmadisonstation.com.