1936 - 1996
The History of Madison School
The community of Madison has always been concerned and actively supportive of their
school system. We are here today to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of this particular
Madison School. which it located in the Madison Historical District. Without the past
and present, we would have no future for the education of the children of our Madison
community. The heritage granted us as attendees of this school continues today, as
evidenced by the many improvements and excellent upkeep of the original structure, 60
years old this year.
The original brick structure was built during the depression years under a grant totaling
$27,000.00. The W.P.A constructed many public facilities and parks under the "New
Deal," and then, President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The total construction cost was
$60,000.00, and the remainder required ($33,000.00) was provided by the County Board
of Education System, with funds currently supplemented by the town of Madison under a
Special Education Tax voted to support the school system. The minutes of town meetings
and election records document that during the period between 1921 and 1924, a three-mil
school tax was voted in to aid the school system; hence, the Madison community has, and
still does support the education of their children.
The brick structure and entrances remain the same as they were in 1936. There were
originally eleven (11) classrooms, including a domestic science and reception or banquet
room laid off in the "new" structure. The Huntsville Times devoted a large section in their
Sunday Times describing a new school with "every feature to the smallest item of
equipment is modem. The auditorium is well planned. Designed for a gymnasium as well
as an assembly room, this part of the building is 170 by 160 feet in dimensions. At one
end is a large stage equipped with new drapery and furniture." The Huntsville Times
reported three hundred and one pupils as a slight increase over the previous year's
enrollment.
