Cities &
Communities in Madison County |
Danielsville
County Seat
Madison County's first city, Danielsville was incorporated in 1817 and was named for
Revolutionary War General Allen Daniel. In 1812, county commisioners had purchased
50 acres which became the town and county center. They planned a central public
square bisected with north-south and east-west roads. The area around the square was
divided into different lot sizes to accomodate development. The Strickland Home,
reputed to be the county's oldest building (c1810), served as the county's first
courthouse and voting precinct, and later as the "Pauper's Farm." The old
Madison County Courthouse, on the courthouse square, was built in 1901 to replace and
earlier frame structure. Government offices moved to a new, larger building 2 blocks
away in 1997.
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Carlton
The first of Madison County's four railroad communities, Carlton grew along the railway
and the city was incorporated in 1892. Carlton was also known as
"Berkley", a name adopted by the railroad to avoid confusion in freight
shipments marked for Carrollton, Ga. The post office, however, retained the name
bestowed on the town in honor of Congressman H.H. Carlton, a legislator who exerted his
influence to keep the train running through the town instead of bypassing it on the route
from Athens to Elberton. |
Comer
The second of Madison County's railroad community, and the county's most populous town,
Comer was named after the early settler A. J. Comer. The town began as a small
community and largely developed after the introduction of the railroad. Before its
incorporation in 1893, Comer was called "Honey Pond" because of the swampy area
outside of the town. |
Colbert
Colbert is the third Madison County town to grow up along the railroad. The town was
originally called "Five Forks" because 5 principal roads met there leading to
Danielsville, Diamond Hill, Comer, Crawford, and Athens. Five Forks was incorporated
in 1899 and was renamed in 1909 for Fletcher Colbert, an influential resident.
Colbert is home to a 42-acre Historic District; the Colbert Depot (1892) and Commercial
Block (1890s-1920s) occupy the town center and reflect the town's transportation and
commercial activity. The Jacob Eberhart Cabin (built by one of Colbert’s first
settlers), and the old Grove Hill District Courthouse have been relocated to the Colbert
Historic District. |
Hull
Hull was organized around a chapel known as Hull’s Meeting House, and the town was
named for Hope Hull (1763-1818), a Methodist preacher and an early trustee to the
University of Georgia. Incorporated in 1909, the town developed as the last railroad
community in Madison County. |
Ila
Located in the northwest part of the county, Ila is a small crossroads community
incorporated in 1910. The name comes from the Choctaw word "Ilia" meaning dead.
The historic outpost of Fort Lamar flourished near the town’s present site. |
Paoli
Paoli is the location of the earliest settlements in Madison County. Unicorporated,
Paoli is home to the New Hope Presbyterian Church. Established in 1788, New Hope is
the 3rd oldest church in Georgia. |
