Madison County

Much of Madison County in North Central Virginia is characterized by rolling fields and valleys that lead to foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  A large portion of its western region is within Shenandoah National Park, where Skyline Drive follows the crest of the mountain chain.  The county got its name from the family of James Madison, the fourth president of the United States (1809 - 1817), which owned land there.  Agriculture is still the dominant industry in the area, with beef and dairy cows, grains and fruit are the major products.  At the Madison Drug Company, established in 1856, you pay 10cents for a Coca Cola and a cup of Coffee.  Antiques and collectibles refers to a clutter of items hanging from rafters, stacked on tables, and jammed into every nook and cranny.  Bits and pieces of antique decorative glass share space with old-fashioned toys.  Within a convenient car commute are well known destinations like Skyline Drive, Luray Caverns, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello home and Montpelier, the home of James Madison.  For those seeking more active pursuits, Graves Mountain Lodge can serve as a convenient home base.  If you're looking for a full service luxury resort with television, a telephone, and other in room amenities Graves Mountain Lodge may not be for you.  Instead it's a place where you can fill your time reading and relaxing.