The Avenue
If you live in or near the City of Eatonton, you already know that Madison Avenue is best known for its historic homes, churches, and The Plaza Arts Center. It is also popular with walkers and runners because of its length and level surface. If you happen to live on Madison Avenue, you are accustomed to sitting on your front porch and being joined by neighbors, runners, or dog-walkers who stop for a chat or just need to “rest a spell!” It’s a warm and welcoming place. Local historians and old-timers say that, as far back as the 1800’s, it was referred to as simply “The Avenue.” Nothing else was needed, and everyone knew where you meant!
The Avenue is also on the parade route for the June Dairy Festival and the Christmas parade. Residents and visitors line the sidewalks and lawns to cheer for the beauty queens, dignitaries, and, of course, Santa himself! Quite often, visitors refer to the Avenue as a magical place! Perhaps that is why certified ghost hunters swear that spirits abound there. Even non-believers must admit that there are some fascinating unsolved mysteries in those several blocks!
As I write, it is November, and folks are already thinking about turkey, dressing, and pumpkin pie, and Eatonton is dazzling with Christmas lights! Madison Avenue, like the entire City of Eatonton, is dressed up in her most glorious colors and sparkles! It’s a sight you don’t want to miss!
I would be remiss, however, if I did not share one more unique Madison Avenue “claim to fame.” For decades, the Avenue has been an especially popular place to bring children to go “trick or treating.” It was safe, well-lighted, and the families who lived on the Avenue were usually generous with their candy!
Year by year, the number of little goblins and princesses continued to grow…by the hundreds! The morning after Halloween, residents still compare numbers to see who had the most children and how long each resident answered the doorbell before the candy ran out. Over the years, more and more Madison Avenue adults began putting on costumes and joining the fun!
Just a few weeks ago, the Avenue set a new “trick or treat” record. The number of children numbered more than 1,300! Yes, that’s one thousand, three hundred! Trick or Treaters and their parents came from Eatonton, Greensboro, Madison, and even farther! One must see to believe!
contributed by:
Sandra Rosseter, Director
Old School History Museum
