Greensboro, Georgia is the seat of Greene County, whose primary export in the 1920s and 30s was moonshine. During this time this liquor was served even in the finest hotels in Atlanta. The moonshiners were very prosperous until L. L. Wyeth came on the scene. For fifty-two years he ruled as sheriff of Greene county, arresting the shiners, while his wife, Estelle, cared for them as jailer. He was a legend in his own time and brought peace to a crime ridden county. The second jail is now a museum containing artifacts and memorabilia of Sheriff Wyeth. The cells are open to the public, even during renovations.

Adjacent to that jailhouse is the old gaol built in 1807. It was used until 1895 when the new jail was erected. The gaol has two stories with two foot thick walls. The two cells on the first floor were like dungeons. Very little light was let in through the tiny windows outside the doorway. Chains were also imbedded in the walls and floors for recalcitrant prisoners. On the second floor was one large room with windows. There is also a gallows with trap door for hangings.

The cemetery just outside of town has many old gravesites, including ex-governors and senators. There are also forty-seven graves of unknown confederate soldiers, each with their own marker.

Madison, Georgia, named after James Madison, was saved by Joshua Hill, former US Representative, from Sherman's burning march to the sea. Hill resigned his seat when Georgia seceded from the Union. He and Sherman had been friends. Sherman promised him that he would spare the city, and he did. Mr. Fitzpatrick, who lived across the street from Hill changed the front of his house from facing Hill's house on Old Post Road to the rear facing Main Street. One can only assume that he did not want to look at a traitor to the South's cause while rocking in his chair and drinking sweet tea on the front porch.

The welcome center, housed in the old fire house, c. 1887, offers walking tours of the town. Notice the fire pole in the hallway. Down the street is the present courthouse, c. 1905, which is undergoing a two-year renovation.

Also of note is Heritage Hall, which now houses the Historical Society. Check out the web site, www.madisonga.org for virtual tour of the town. Many of the homes are on the site. There are even two for sale. We did not inquire of their prices. From the looks on the exterior, The Boxwood and the Broughton-Sanders-Mason-McWilliams House were out of our price range. Especially beautiful is Boxwood and its formal gardens.

Madison is a step back in time. There are many artistic events at the Cultural Center, once a former grade school. This is also a museum of the town and the county (closed on Mondays).