For over forty years, Dr. Fred A. Engle Jr. and Dr. Robert N. Grise have devoted themselves to researching and preserving Madison Countys history and cultural legacy through their weekly newspaper column, Madisons Heritage, in the Richmond Register. Now, Kathryn Engle has sifted through the breadth of their impressive body of work, compiling a fascinating collection of historical tales from this remarkable Kentucky county. Beginning with stories of the hardscrabble pioneers who first settled the area and continuing with tales of Madison Countys local legends, important places and pivotal events, these diverse stories embody the essence of this historically rich area. Few know the heritage of this region as well as Engle and Grise. Journey back with them through the annals of Madison Countys history.

In the rolling Kentucky Bluegrass, at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains, lies historic Madison County. For over forty years, Dr. Fred A. Engle Jr. and Dr. Robert N. Grise have devoted themselves to researching and preserving Madison County's history and cultural legacy through their weekly newspaper column, "Madison's Heritage," in the Richmond Register. Now, Kathryn Engle has sifted through the breadth of their impressive body of work, compiling a fascinating collection of historical tales from this remarkable Kentucky county. Beginning with stories of the hardscrabble pioneers who first settled the area and continuing with tales of Madison County's local legends, important places and pivotal events, these diverse stories embody the essence of this historically rich area. Few know the heritage of this region as well as Engle and Grise. Journey back with them through the annals of Madison County's history. Book jacket.

This fertile and beautiful land, with its small rivers and valleys and surrounding mountains, was designated Madison County in 1792. The county was named for the family of James Madison, fourth president of the United States and the father of the Constitution. His family ran a mill on the Rapidan River, which is now located in the southern section of Madison County. Early in the 18th century, descendants of English and French colonials settled the southern sections of the county, and Quakers and German Lutherans settled the northern sections. Madison Countys first church, Hebron Lutheran, was built in 1740, and its public church school was opened in 1748. Archaeologists have gathered evidence that Native Americans hunted and gathered in the region thousands of years earlier.

After the Civil War, black families were invited to Berea by white abolitionist Rev. John G. Fee to develop an interracial school and church. From 1866 to 1904, residents' lives revolved around Berea College, which educated black and white students together from primary school through college. In 1904, the Day Law prohibited interracial education. College trustees retained white students while funding blacks to attend allblack colleges elsewhere. From 1904 to 1950, when the Day Law was amended, many residents upheld racial equality principles.