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History
Madison County was granted a charter in December 1792 well after the
earliest colonists had settled the area. It was named for the Madison
family that owned a tract of land along the Rapidan River.
This family produced one of our nation's early presidents, James Madison whose
estate is in neighboring Orange
County. Madison County
has been a crossroads of history for over 11,000 years. Paleo-Indians, the
royal governor Alexander Spottswood and the Knights of the Golden Horseshoe, as
well as Civil War Generals Stonewall Jackson and J. E. B. Stuart along with
their men have all been visitors to Madison
County. Trails and early
roads led through the Piedmont area of Madison and up into the Blue Ridge
Mountains enabling 18th and 19th century travelers to enter the Shenandoah
Valley. Early settlers included German, English and Scots/Irish families in the
18th century. Descendants of these families still live in Madison. President Herbert Hoover bought land
in the mountain area of Madison
and built his summer camp there. His official visit to the town of Madison in August 1929 is
commemorated annually. The county has retained its rich agricultural tradition
and has maintained the architectural heritage of 18th and 19th century
buildings and homes. Museums offer a view to the past for history buffs of all
ages and a walking tour of the town of Madison
enables visitors to appreciate its beauty. Travel through the county will bring
the visitor into the unique blend of country life today amidst the historical
evidence of years gone by.
Location
Madison County enjoys some
of the most dramatic landscapes in the Piedmont with quiet rolling pasture in
the eastern sections of the county to rugged mountain land, much of which is
part of the Shenandoah
National Park. Here
dramatic mountain views, rushing trout streams and rich, productive farms are
the scenes one takes in from the car window or exciting hiking trails.
Development seems to be leaving the County alone for the most part with large
tracts of land still available and protective, zoning ordinances designed to
protect the county's most valuable component, its unspoiled beauty.
Demographics
As of the
census of 2000, there were 12,520 people, 4,739 households, and 3,521 families
residing in the county. The population density was 15/km² (39/mi²). There were
5,239 housing units at an average density of 6/km² (16/mi²). The racial makeup
of the county was 86.71% White, 11.41% Black or African American, 0.14% Native
American, 0.50% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.29% from other races, and
0.93% from two or more races. 0.77% of the population were Hispanic or Latino
of any race.
There were
4,739 households out of which 30.90% had children under the age of 18 living
with them, 61.40% were married couples living together, 8.80% had a female
householder with no husband present, and 25.70% were non-families. 21.80% of
all households were made up of individuals and 9.50% had someone living alone
who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the
average family size was 3.03.
In the
county, the population was spread out with 24.10% under the age of 18, 6.90%
from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 26.40% from 45 to 64, and 15.00% who were
65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females
there were 95.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.60
males.There are more cows in Madison
County than people.
The median
income for a household in the county was $39,856, and the median income for a
family was $44,857. Males had a median income of $30,805 versus $24,384 for
females. The per capita income for the county was $18,636. 9.60% of the population
and 6.90% of families were below the poverty line. 12.70% of those under the
age of 18 and 10.20% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Recreation,
Attractions, Dining & Shopping
Madison County was the site of two Civil War
battles that have been chosen for inclusion in the Virginia Civil War Trails
program. These are the James City Battlefield on Rt. 29, just south of the Culpeper-Madison County boundary line, and the Jack's
Shop Battlefield located on Scenic Byway Rt. 231 at Rochelle. In addition, the
old Blue Ridge Turnpike (most of the Scenic Byway follows this road) runs
through Madison County
and was the route General Jackson and his forces often took to travel to and
from the Shenandoah Valley. Some of the towns
along this route still preserve the areas that were used as campsites by Jackson's men.
Website
Confederate
Major General J.E.B. Stuart left his encampment in Madison
on October 10, 1863, traveled north to James City
where he engaged Union Generals Kilpatrick and French at the historic
crossroads town.
Website
On September 22, 1863, J.E.B. Stuart left his headquarters at the Brampton estate in Orange County.
As he moved toward Madison,
he encountered two Union divisions under the commands of General John Burford
and General Judson Kilpatrick that nearly surrounded him. This battle saw
Stuart's Horse Artillery used effectively and a strategic plan by Stuart to
withdraw southwards towards Liberty Mills, a ford on the Rapidan guarded by
more Confederate forces.
Madison is blessed with beautiful mountains
and foothills with a wide variety of outdoor activities from trout fishing,
horseback riding, to hunting, backpacking, and birding. The Shenandoah National Park
is the jewel that crowns the Blue Ridge Mountains
and can be explored on foot and by car. Many Bed and Breakfast establishments
as well as other businesses cater to visitors interested in sampling outdoor
pleasures.
Website
Shenandoah National Park
lies astride a beautiful section of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which form the
eastern rampart of the Appalachian Mountains between Pennsylvania
and Georgia.
The Shenandoah River
flows through the valley to the west, with Massanutten Mountain,
40 miles long, standing between the river's north and south forks. The rolling
Piedmont country lies to the east of the park. Skyline Drive, a 105-mile road
that winds along the crest of the mountains through the length of the park,
provides vistas of the spectacular landscape to east and west. The park holds
more than 500 miles of trails, including 101 miles of the Appalachian
Trail. Trails may follow a ridge crest, or they may lead to high
places with panoramic views or to waterfalls in deep canyons. Many animals,
including deer, black bears, and wild turkeys, flourish among the rich growth
of an oak-hickory forest. In season, bushes and wildflowers bloom along the
Drive and trails and fill the open spaces. Apple trees, stone foundations, and cemeteries
are reminders of the families who once called this place home. Shenandoah National Park has many stories waiting
to be told, and a world of beauty that can renew and bring peace to the spirit.
For visitor information call 540-999-3500.
Website
A
family-owned and operated rustic mountain retreat it is well known for its down
home hospitality, not to mention all the home cooked food you can eat,
unrivaled for natural beauty, and a wide range of outdoor activities sure to
please every member in your family.
You will
find the Lodge nestled deep in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains near
the end of the road in Syria,
Virginia.
Here you are invited to assume a leisurely pace as you enjoy some of life’s
simpler pleasures, such as hiking, fishing, tennis, swimming and some good
old-fashioned porch sitting. If you like, you may even take a stroll down the
lane and observe the activities of our fruit and educational farm. What ever
you choose to do, they will try to make sure that you feel at home and enjoy
yourselves. Judging from the number of guests that they have return year after
year, they must be doing something right.
Authentic
German Cuisine, beer, and wine. Located on Rt. 29 south at Shelby, Va.
(540) 948-6505. Call for reservations.
Barbecue,
ribs, steak, hamburgers and fries and is the home of the famous
"Mountaineer Platter". (540) 948-3130
- Graves' Mountain Lodge,
Inc.
Family
style meals and offers buffets on Saturdays and Sundays. Located in Syria VA
(540) 923-4231 (reservations).
In
existence since 1856. Features an old-fashioned lunch counter, hand-dipped ice
cream, fresh squeezed lemonade, homemade salads, 10-cent cokes and fountain
treats. Located on Main Street
and open Monday-Saturday. (540) 948-4400.
Offers find
foods and drink, cold cuts, subs, pizzas, party platters, Virginia wines and imported beers. Business
route 29N, Madison VA. (540) 948-4576
- Yoder's
Country Food Market
Home-baked
breads, pastries, sandwiches, soups, and a wide assortment of bulk foods.
Located on near Pratts VA on route 230, 1 mile east of US 29. (540) 948-3000.
- Down
to Earth (Madison Traders)
PO Box 865, Madison, VA 22727 Earthwise Goods & Gifts
-
Eunice and
Fester Antiques
Rt 1 Box
104AQ
Madison, VA 22727 Established in 1971, 3500 square feet, room settings, well kept building with
flower boxes under windows, boxwood shrubs, Blue Ridge Mountains in the scenic
distance, specializes in Americana
of the better sort. Has exhibited at "The Heart of Country Show."
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