During the Civil War, Madison was an important stop on the Pensacola and Georgia Railroad for the transportation of

Confederate soldiers and war materials as well as cotton and foodstuffs from Middle Florida's rich agricultural lands. Several

Confederate camps for the mustering and training of soldiers were located in the vicinity of Madison. In 1852, the Madison Shoe Factory was constructed 10 miles west of the town. It was the state's largest leather factory and annually produced 11,000 pairs of shoes, as well as wagon harnesses and other leather goods, for the

Confederate government.

Information Provided by the Florida Department of State.