County Government - Madison County, Arkansas

GENERAL INFORMATION - MADISON COUNTY

MADISON COUNTY

Madison County, like all counties in Arkansas, is a political subdivision of the State that provides services to all the citizens of the county. These services include

law enforcement
maintenance and construciton of county roads
judicial
emergency medical
fire protection
elections
jails
assessment of property
collection and distribution of property tax proceeds
the management of public records and many more services.

Madison County government elects nine executive officers and a countywide legislative body called the Quorum Court to provide these various services. The nine elected officials are:

Official	Name	Telephone	FAX
County Judge	Wes Fowler	(479) 738-6721	(479) 738-6512
County Clerk	Faron Ledbetter	(479) 738-2747	(479) 738-2735
Circuit Clerk	Phyllis Villines	(479) 738-2215	(479) 738-1544
County Sheriff	Phillip Morgan	(479) 738-2320	(479) 738-1525
County Collector	Susan Marshall	(479) 738-6673	(479) 738-6254
County Treasurer	Margie Ham	(479) 738-6514	(479)738-1575
County Assessor	Will Jones	(479)738-2325	(479)738-1788
County Coroner	Jarred Blue Rogers	(479) 738-2621	479)738-2041
County Surveyor	James Graber	(479) 559-2217	(479) 738-1544

Madison County Quorum Court

Justice of the Peace Chance Bryant
Justice of the Peace Phillip Cain
Justice of the Peace Curtis Glenn
Justice of the Peace Bobby Lewis
Justice of the Peace Rick McLoud
Justice of the Peace Rodney Reynolds
Justice of the Peace Pattie Shinn
Justice of the Peace Sue Thomas
Justice of the Peace Kent Usrey

Madison County was formed on September 30, 1836 from part of Washington County and was named in honor of James Madison, the fourth President of the United States. Long before settlers began arriving from Europe around 1826, the area that is now Madison County was home to many Native American tribes, including cliff dwellers and mound builders whose artifacts have been found in caves and shelters along the county's waterways.

The same natural resources that drew them to the area appeal to modern residents and visitors. The King's River in Madison County was the first stream in Arkansas to receive legislative recognition and protection. Also protected is the Sweden Creek Falls Natural Area in the Boston Mountains. An eighty-foot waterfall maintains moist conditions where ferns grow naturally. War Eagle Creek also flows through the county offering family recreation with fishing, canoeing and camping. Two wildlife management areas are located in the county, Madison County WMA and White Rock WMA.

The rugged Ozark National Forest and Withrow Springs State Park attracts hikers and campers. As of the 2000 census, Madison County had a population of 14,243 residents.

Madison County has an area of 836 square miles. Two former Governors have come from Madison County: Isaac Murphy (1864-1868) and Orval Faubus (1955-1967). The first session of the county court was held in the barn of Evan S. Polk, a little northwest of the present town of Huntsville. Later sessions were held at the house of John Sanders until July 22, 1839, when Huntsville was declared the permanent county seat.

The first courthouse was a hewed log structure about thirty feet square, erected at a cost of $150. A brick courthouse was built in 1855 and served until 1863 when it was burned by Federal troops. After the war, sessions of the court were held at the home of John Vaughan and in the Masonic hall until a new courthouse was completed in January 1871. It was destroyed by fire December 1, 1879, and the next courthouse was completed in October 1882.