Established in 1856 as a shipping station on the Memphis and Charleston R.R., the town was platted on land owned by James Clemens and was incorporated by vote of its citizens in 1869. Its first officials included William R. Johnston, mayor, and five aldermen, with William B. Dunn as first depot agent, Thomas J. Clay as first postmaster, George W. Martin as first merchant, and James H. Bibb, planter, and Dr. George R. Sullivan. The community remained small until the growth of industries associated with Redstone Arsenal and the Jetport in the 1950's and 1960's transformed Madison into a thriving city.