MADISON COUNTY
County Offices
100 Northside Square
Huntsville 256-532-3300
http://madisoncountyal.gov
Chamber of Commerce
225 Church Street
Huntsville 256-535-2000
http://hsvchamber.org
Services
Anchored by the regional hospitals in Huntsville, Madison County serves as a center of healthcare excellence for residents of northern Alabama and south-central Tennessee. Huntsville Hospital provides a comprehensive range of medical and surgical specialties as a publicly owned facility. The hospital provides a number of services that are not duplicated in the region, including dedicated services and facilities for women and children and a state-of-the-art fitness center. Centers of excellence include cardiac care, surgical specialties, the Comprehensive Cancer Institute, and North Alabama’s finest trauma center. Joining Huntsville Hospital in serving residents of Madison County and beyond, Crestwood Medical Center provides an acute care, 120-bed institution located in southeast Huntsville. More than 465 staff physicians represent more than 50 specialties and sub-specialties, providing highly personalized care that earns consistently high rankings. Everything from classes on infant massage through the Children’s Therapy Services to support groups, wellness education, and health screenings widen the scope of healthcare to an approach that enhances overall well being.
Educational services are equally well-developed in Madison County, where the public school system evidences a strong commitment to a diverse student population. In addition to an outstanding core curriculum, schools provide advanced learning opportunities. For example, the Toyota Distance Learning Labs expand the range of courses and exposure to guest lecturers and advance placement courses make it possible for high school students to earn college credits. Private schools provide alternatives in learning environments and educational philosophies from preschool through 12th grade.
Institutions of higher education close to home include Alabama A&M University and its associated Graduate School, serving thousands of students from 40 states and 60 nations. The University of Alabama in Huntsville is acclaimed as a national research university with a nationally recognized undergraduate business program. Faulkner University Huntsville, the Florida Institute of Technology Redstone Graduate Center, and Oakwood College provide the specialized focus and personalized attention of a private college. Two-year institutions include Virginia College at Huntsville, Calhoun Community College, and J.F. Drake State Technical College.
Lifestyle
Newcomers to Madison County will discover some of Alabama’s premier attractions, from spectacular outdoor recreational sites to the finest in cosmopolitan amenities. The metropolitan center of Huntsville leads the way in cultural advantages, from celebrated museums and fine-art centers to popular performance groups who play to enthusiastic audiences in elegant venues. The Huntsville Museum of Art is the region’s premier visual arts center, nestled in Big Spring Park. Among the oldest performance organizations in the nation, the Broadway Theatre League, the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, and the Huntsville Community Chorus never fail to win accolades. The Huntsville Ballet Company and Community Ballet School are unified in the Community Ballet Association, presenting the best in dance and hosting national touring companies.
Cradled in the rolling foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, the natural beauty of Madison County provides virtually unlimited opportunities for hiking, biking, golfing, outdoor exploration, and water sports on the Tennessee River. The area’s mild climate and beautiful four-season kaleidoscope of color combine with exceptional sites like Monte Sano Mountain State Park and Wheeler Reservoir to provide a breathtaking backdrop for every activity. Closer to home, municipalities have developed a wide range of recreational facilities and programs designed to engage residents of all ages and interests. Minor-league teams and collegiate competition keep fans cheering through exciting events, and families are never at a loss for amusement centers or educational activities. From the progressive metropolis of Huntsville to sleepy small towns and growing suburban residential communities, Madison County has enough diversity to support every lifestyle choice. Whether you prefer the bright lights of the big city, a serene neighborhood, or a luxurious country estate with rolling acreage, the ideal home is waiting in Madison County
Gurley
Gurley Offices
256-776-9967
http://gurleyalabama.contactez.net
Chamber of Commerce
256-535-2000
http://hsvchamber.org
The small town Gurley offers a tranquil and intimate hometown environment with access to the urban amenities in the Huntington metropolitan area. This quaint community nestles in a panoramic fertile valley formed between scenic mountains and rolling rivers. Just 16 miles directly east of Huntsville at the edge of the Madison County border, Gurley grew up along the Memphis and Charleston railroad line. Those who appreciate a simple lifestyle where neighbors stop to chat on evening walks will find a friendly and comfortable home as well as affordable housing in Gurley. Local shops and services create a convenient lifestyle, while the Charles Stone Gurley Park provides a panoramic recreational site for outdoor enjoyment and activities. Gurley residents and leaders work closely together in a cooperative spirit to develop new amenities and improvements that enhance the quality of life.
Hampton Cove, Owens Cross Roads, New Hope
Huntsville City Offices
256-535-2489
www.hsvcity.org
Owens Cross Roads Offices
256-725-4163
New Hope Offices
256-723-2616
Chamber of Commerce
256-535-2000
http://hsvchamber.org
At the southern edge of the Huntsville city limits, the highly desirable Hampton Cove area is one of the most coveted addresses in the metropolitan region. This exclusive residential and recreational community features the 54-hole Hampton Cove Golf Course that marks the beginning of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Several lush parks and breathtakingly beautiful fairways meander throughout 2,800 panoramic acres dotted by nearly 30 lakes for unsurpassed views. Twenty miles of continuous trails showcase the natural and crafted beauty of the surroundings. One of the largest swimming pools in Alabama, lighted tennis courts, a volleyball court, a fitness center, and game areas combine with sports fields and an equestrian center to offer recreational activities for all ages and interests. The Hampton House with its sweeping Southern verandas serves as a center for social activities. The small town of Owens Cross Roads and the tiny city of New Hope provide a comfortable but less luxurious hometown atmosphere south of Huntsville beyond the white-fenced Hampton Cove community. Affordable homes and a friendly, small-town flavor are attracting new residents who appreciate the slower pace and proximity to urban amenities.
Harvest, Monrovia
County Offices
256-532-3492
http://madisoncountyal.gov
Chamber of Commerce
256-535-2000
http://hsvchamber.org
The rapidly growing communities of Harvest and Monrovia are experiencing explosive growth, with hundreds of new homes springing up on yesterday’s open space and fields. A number of small to mid-sized businesses are arriving to support the growth in population and take advantage of affordable land in close proximity to metropolitan Huntsville. Service industries like auto repair and hair salons are on the rise, drawing customers from the surrounding rural area. North of Madison County’s two largest cities, Huntington and Madison, the Harvest-Monrovia area is emerging as a desirable bedroom community for commuters to regional employers in both cities. The slopes of scenic Capshow Mountain offer the seclusion of forested lots that provide a spectacular setting for luxurious new homes. Because neither community has incorporated, this untaxed region offers clear advantages. The Huntsville Madison County Library maintains a branch on Jeff Road near Capshaw Mountain, and the Madision County School System operates several schools in the area.
Hazel Green, Meridianville, Moores Mill, New Market
County Offices
256-532-3492
http://madisoncountyal.gov
Chamber of Commerce
256-535-2000
http://hsvchamber.org
The area north of Huntsville is growing rapidly, drawing newcomers to several unincorporated communities that provide open space for aggressive development of subdivisions and beautiful new homes. Hazel Green and Meridianville share a location along the major thoroughfare of Highway 231/431. Moores Mill lies just east of Meridianville. New Market to the east of Meridianville is the smallest of these communities in population and the furthest from Huntsville, although it still offers an easy drive to urban amenities. Those who appreciate the friendly and intimate atmosphere of a smaller town in close proximity to cosmopolitan amenities and attractions are finding the ideal home in these northern and northeastern bedroom communities. Monte Sano State Park, the Huntsville cultural community, first-rate shopping, family attractions, leading healthcare centers, colleges and universities, and wonderful museums and historic sites are all close to home. Most residents are commuters who enjoy returning each day to a country atmosphere where twinkling stars are not dimmed by the glow of city lights and the sound of traffic is replaced by the chirp of morning birds and evening crickets.
Huntsville
Municipal Offices
256-535-2489
www.huntsvilleal.gov
Chamber of Commerce
256-535-2000
http://hsvchamber.org
One of the most recognized cities in the Southeast, Huntsville is consistently earning accolades as one of the best places in the nation to live, work, and play. Technology, space, and defense play important roles in this area, driven by the U.S. Army’s Redstone Arsenal, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, and Cummings Research Park. Huntsville is also home to several Fortune 500 companies and scores of large, mid-size, and small businesses for a diversified and healthy regional economy. Parks and recreation areas are highly developed, although the city lies in close proximity to premier getaways that include Monte Sano Mountain State Park. Ditto Landing at Wheeler Reservoir and the lakefront beauty of the Green Mountain Nature Trail are just two of the attractions in this lovely area at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Those who appreciate culture will find symphony, choral and musical concerts, ballet and dance, and other performing arts in venues from elegant to intimate. Art and history museums combine with fine galleries to showcase local, regional, and national talent and preserve the area’s rich history. The Twickenham district preserves Alabama’s largest collection of pre-Civil War homes, while the Huntsville Botanical Garden showcases aquatic and floral gardens. Shoppers will be able to fine unique treasures or name-brand merchandise in charming districts or fashionable malls. Around every corner, Huntsville reveals an exceptional quality of life and delightful surprises. The housing selection is as diverse as the population, blending magnificent older homes shaded by lovely trees with vibrant new construction in exclusive enclaves or neat subdivisions that offer a close-knit spirit. New residents will find in Huntsville a remarkable city that manages to honor the heritage of the gracious Old South with innovative high-tech ventures and the richness of cultural diversity.
Madison
Municipal Offices
256-772-5681
www.madisonal.gov
Chamber of Commerce
256-461-0518
www.madisonalchamber.com
Ideally located near the county’s largest city of Huntsville and the U.S. Army’s Redstone Arsenal with its Marshall Space Flight Center, Madison excels in quality of life. This rapidly growing city boasts an affluent population, the richness of cultural diversity, efficient transportation links, and an award-winning school district. Madison is only a 10-minute drive from the considerable array of cultural, shopping, recreational, and entertainment attractions in Huntsville. The community is equally close to Cummings Research Park and the Huntsville International Airport. Madison’s enviable reputation as a desirable place for families and young professionals is due in part to the caliber of scientists and technicians who are employed in high-paying jobs that support major defense projects based in this area. The city is constantly expanding its services and amenities to keep pace with a growing population. Showcase neighborhoods lined with beautiful homes, acres of lush parks, well-developed recreational amenities, and a thriving economy are all wrapped in a package of small-town friendliness and warmth for the best of all worlds.
Redstone Arsenal
Visitor Information
256-876-2151
www.garrison.redstone.army.mil
Community Information
256-830-9175
https://redstone.armymwr.com
One of the most strategic posts for the U.S. Army, the Redstone Arsenal is responsible for the research and development, production, and worldwide support of missiles, aviation, rockets, and related programs. This sprawling military complex is conveniently located south of Madison and Huntsville, stretching over nearly 38,000 acres. This cosmopolitan community is home to nearly 158,000 military personnel and employs another 28,000 civilians, including engineers, scientists, and other technical specialists. In addition to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, Redstone is home to the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command and the Space and Missile Defense Command. The community is highly developed with recreational and social amenities, although the surrounding area is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Fishing, hunting, boating, water skiing, picnicking, hiking, biking, and camping are popular pastimes.
