Madison Arcade 1904
A lot of people don’t know that a major fire in 1919 altered the town of Madison in many ways. In the last decade of the 18th century, a frame storehouse was located on the site of the Arcade in Madison VA. It eventually housed a tavern on the lot by 1820, and the present brick building may date from that time or somewhat later. In the mid-1800′s it was expanded as an inn, and a frame extension was added to the south side of the building, with a porch and balcony facing Main Street. It had a brick arcade which served as the entrance to the rear of the inn. By the 1880s, the inn was known as Madison House. It’s fun to imagine the vitality at that time, as rooms, dining, and dancing graced the building. But by the early 1900′s, Madison House had ceased to function as an inn.
Madison Fire 1919
Madison Fire 1919 Damage
The Madison Historical Society reports that “in 1919, a fire which began in the post office south of it destroyed the frame part of the building and gutted the Arcade but was prevented from spreading to the frame buildings to the north by its brick walls. The brick building was restored, and a commercial cinder block addition constructed.” Today’s town of Madison bears little resemblance to the pre-fire colonial village.
