Madrid, Alabama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Madrid, Alabama
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Location of Madrid in Houston County, Alabama.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Alabama |
| County | Houston |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.75 sq mi (4.52 km2) |
| • Land | 1.75 sq mi (4.52 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 164 ft (50 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 265 |
| • Density | 151.69/sq mi (58.57/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
36320
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| Area code(s) | 334 |
| FIPS code | 01-45904 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0122197 |
Madrid (/ˈmædrɪd/ MAD-rid) is a town in Houston County, Alabama, United States. It is part of the Dothan, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area. At the 2010 census the population was 350, up from 303 in 2000.
Contents
History
In 1905, A. B. Steele began to build the Bay Line Railroad from Panama City, Florida to Dothan, Alabama. The Geneva Lumber Company also surveyed a country road from Cottonwood, Alabama to intersect the railroad.
In 1905, Ed Watford, a resident of Houston County, bought 180 acres at the intersection, intending for it to become a town.
At the same time, land speculator J. B. Dell and his partner W. C. Fenn, prominent people in Houston County, bought 80 acres east of Watford's property. They were able to record the acreage at the courthouse as the town of "Madrid" before Watford could. Consequently, Watford's property became known as "Watford's Addition". Madrid was named after Madrid, Spain, but Dell decided to pronounce it differently with emphasis on the "Mad".
Watford, Dell, and Fenn all had their acres surveyed and then divided into lots. However, Dell and Fenn threw a big celebration for their public action, throwing a barbecue and hiring a brass brand. This enticed many buyers to come. Watford was successful in selling his 40 acres, and Dell and Fenn were able to sell most of their 80 acres.
After the auction, Madrid started to become a prosperous town. A ready market existed in the town for timber, turpentine, and cotton. Many buildings, including stores and churches, began to be built in the town. Madrid also had a cotton oil mill and gin.
In 1912, Mayor Ed Watford founded the Bank of Madrid. The bank survived for 12 years before being closed in 1924.
After a prosperous beginning, Madrid's population began to precipitously decline when the boll weevil started attacking cotton crops and timber supplies were exhausted.
Geography
Madrid is located in southwestern Houston County at 31°02′06″N 85°23′50″W / 31.034941°N 85.397222°W. U.S. Route 231 passes through the west side of the town, leading north 13 miles (21 km) to Dothan and south 18 miles (29 km) to Cottondale, Florida.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.9 square miles (5.0 km2), all land.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 279 | — | |
| 1940 | 229 | −17.9% | |
| 1950 | 312 | 36.2% | |
| 1960 | 245 | −21.5% | |
| 1970 | 238 | −2.9% | |
| 1980 | 172 | −27.7% | |
| 1990 | 211 | 22.7% | |
| 2000 | 303 | 43.6% | |
| 2010 | 350 | 15.5% | |
| 2020 | 265 | −24.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2013 Estimate |
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2020 census
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 227 | 85.66% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 19 | 7.17% |
| Asian | 2 | 0.75% |
| Other/Mixed | 6 | 2.26% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 11 | 4.15% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 265 people, 117 households, and 78 families residing in the town.
See also
In Spanish: Madrid (Alabama) para niños
