Region: Prairies and Lakes
Madisonville, the seat of Madison County, is on a league of land granted by
the Mexican government to Job Starks Collard, a member of Stephen F. Austin's
colony. In 1854, Collard donated 200 acres of land for the county seat. Both the
county and city are named for President James Madison. Madisonville is at the
crossroads of I-45 and Texas 75, which runs north-south, and historic Texas 21,
which traces part of the old El Camino Real route that runs east-west from
Natchitoches, La., to Mexico City.
About 400,000 pounds of fresh mushrooms are produced weekly at Monterey
Mushrooms Inc., contributing to Madisonville's official designation by the Texas
Legislature as the Mushroom Capital of Texas. The city also is home to the
annual Texas Mushroom Festival in October (www.texasmushroomfestival.com). May
is filled with rodeo events conducted by the Madisonville Sidewalk Cattlemen's
Association. 936/348-3591. www.sidewalkcattlemens.com.
Lake Madison Park, which includes a 75-acre municipal reservoir, features a
boat ramp, fishing, picnic areas, rest rooms and sports
fields.