“There’s no place like it.”

Fiona Tustian didn’t even know she was looking for Madison. Visiting the area from Connecticut, she had no idea where she wanted to live. “One snowy day I came across an old farmhouse and said that’s the one.” That was 16 years ago and she’s still here.

Julie Holbrook moved to Madison County in 1990 for her husband’s job. “Once you get here, you don’t want to leave. I love my home overlooking the Hebron Valley. And now I have two sons moving back to properties near us because they love it too. I am truly fortunate.”

Jennifer Gilley grew up on a farm in Madison County. When her parents moved out of the farmhouse in 2015, Jennifer and her husband sold their small farm and moved back to her home farm. They are now raising their three children on Heaven’s Hollow Farm and have begun diversifying their operations with direct-to-consumer sales.

Three of the top draws to Madison County are the outdoor recreation opportunities, a robust agritourism sector, and the extremely small Town of Madison.

Active and Outdoors

Madison County boasts plenty of best in class, especially in outdoor recreation. Highest peak. Best hike. Best scenic drive. Most luxurious glamping site. The list goes on.

With more than 50 of its 327 square miles inside Shenandoah National Park, it’s no surprise that Madison County beckons to adventurers.

Hawksbill Mountain, at 4,050 feet, is the highest point in Madison County and in Shenandoah National Park (SNP). Featuring a 2,500-foot ascent from Timber Hollow, hiking to the summit is a popular hiking challenge in SNP.

Not to be outdone, nearby Old Rag Mountain was named by Outdoor Magazine as one of the 25 best hikes in the world. Fitting of its stature, Old Rag’s parking area is filled before 8:00 a.m. on most weekends with decent weather.  

To get your fix of hiking and waterfalls in one hike, there’s none better than Whiteoak Canyon. Six waterfalls range from 35 to 86 feet, with swimming holes at the base of each. Options to extend the hike can convert this trail to a strenuous 8.2-mile circuit hike.

Together, these three neighboring mountains and canyons draw experienced hikers to Madison County for one or more challenging days. Easier hikes are also available throughout this section of the Blue Ridge Mountains and foothills.

If water is more appealing than climbing up and down mountains, Madison still delivers. The Rapidan River comprises the southern border of Madison County. Together with its major tributaries, the Rose, Robinson, and Conway Rivers, the Rapidan offers first-class fly and trout fishing. Paddling outfitters and public access points serve these rivers well.

Even if your idea of enjoying the great outdoors if peering through the windshield of a car, you won’t be disappointed. Route 231 is one of the top 10 scenic by-ways in the United States. And it runs right through Madison County.

Breweries, Vineyards, Hospitality

In Central Virginia, breweries and wineries with spectacular views mean big business. The same is true in Madison County, which boasts five of its own vineyards, including DuCard Vineyard, the only solar-powered vineyard in Virginia; Early Mountain Vineyard; and Revelation Vineyards featuring its 1830’s log cabin in the heart of the Hebron Valley.

Bald Top Brewing also combines history and libations with a 1940’s historic hay barn converted to a tasting room.

Seeking to broaden the customer base, two typically stand-alone agritourism attractions merged, bringing the best of both worlds together. Prince Michel Vineyard and Tap 29 Brewery is the perfect pairing if you’re looking for the convenience of a winery and a brewery under one roof.

Blue Quartz Winery and Shotwell Run Brewing Company is the newest entry in the combined winery and brewery space in Madison County. Here you can regale your companion with tales of your adventures as you view Old Rag Mountain with a post-hike wine, cider, or seasonal craft beer brewed onsite. Fieldstone Trails offers guided horseback rides through and overlooking the Blue Quartz vineyards.

After spending the day touring the wineries and breweries, there’s no need to head home. Whether you’re roughing it or glamping, an astounding array of overnight options allows you to enjoy the night skies away from urban light pollution.

Rose River Farms three 1,100 square foot cedar and glass yurts in Syria, not far from Old Rag Mountain, have been named the most luxurious glamping in Virginia. Graves’ Mountain Lodge borders SNP and offers resort-like amenities and a variety of overnight options on 1500 acres. Madison Vines RV Resort and Cottages is upgrading the existing campground and adding new structures, 75 additional RV sites, a fitness center, and a pool.

These and other distinctive guest houses, cabins, lodges, and bed and breakfast inns cater to Madison County visitors who want to extend their adventures into the night.

Town of Madison

Losing 40 percent of its population in the past century, the Town of Madison is home to only about 300 residents.

But the outlook is bright.

Just ask Jacob Floyd. He opened the restaurant Mad Local in 2017 after serving in the Coast Guard and Reserves. Floyd is hyper-focused on supporting other downtown Madison businesses and serving local fare. He gets everything he can from local sources. Bread and baked goods come from the bakery across the street, meat and vegetables from local farms.

In turn, Floyd enjoys tremendous support from the community. Customers know they are getting a great meal at Mad Local and the money that Floyd takes in gets recirculated many times over through the restaurant’s local suppliers, creating a strong local economy from which everyone benefits.

Floyd is optimistic about the future of Madison. “The town council is getting new perspectives and  doing things that will make it a downtown where people want to spend their time and money.” For his part, Floyd is going all in. This month he will open 117 Market Place, a new storefront just two blocks from Mad Local. He will keep his focus on local and unique products, from salsas to spices, eventually venturing into on-site dining.

Keep your eye on this little town in the heart of Madison County.

County Economy

As expected, much of the county’s economy is based on its rural nature and access to the outdoors. Major employers include retailer Plow & Hearth; Box In Box Out, an order fulfillment and inventory management company; Madison Wood, making high-quality treated wood products; Woodberry Forest School, a boy’s high school; and the hospitality and agrotourism sectors.

A barrier recognized by the County Board of Supervisors is the lack of widespread Broadband service. They are aggressively addressing the problem and are planning for nearly universal expansion.

Madison’s economic success is tied to what makes it different. Because that’s what makes it attractive for residents and visitors. Where else can you enjoy a Wool and Wine Festival and Sheepdog Trials?

“One way we celebrate our unique heritage and natural resources is through our festivals,” says Tracey Gardener, Tourism and Economic Development Director for Madison County. “Two of our big celebrations, Graves Mountain Festival of Music and The Taste of the Mountains won’t be back until 2021 due to the pandemic and the crowds involved. But this month we have our Annual Tour de Madison on May 15, and our Sunflower Festival in June. Almost every weekend, people are out celebrating what’s special about Madison County.”

Housing

The real estate market in Madison County is enduring the same trials as other housing markets in Central Virginia. Tustian, a REALTOR® with Howard Hanna/Roy Wheeler Realty Company, says, “The numbers for Madison County are astonishing. Right now, we only have 27 listings. In a normal spring that might be 80 to 100 listings. There are fewer owners selling and houses are getting snapped up quickly. The median days on market here is down to eight. And prices are creeping up. What used to be in the 200’s is now in the 300’s.”

Holbrook, a REALTOR® with Nest Realty Group, reports, “It’s getting tougher for first-time homebuyers to break into the market here. There just aren’t that many properties on the low end of the price spectrum. The good news is that, historically, homes tend to hold their values here over time.”

Another dynamic keeping inventory down and prices trending up is Madison County’s proximity to Washington. “We are in the perfect location for folks coming from Northern Virginia, whether they are retiring here or want a second home,” says REALTOR® Patti Dixon Lillard, with Montague, Miller & Co. – Madison. “It’s less than 80 miles to D.C. And to compound the problem, not many people are leaving unless they are aging out and want less maintenance.”

Urban and suburban housing selections are mostly absent. Tustian says, “We are rural and are trying to keep it that way, so you won’t find suburban housing developments here. The county only allows owners to subdivide every 10 years.”

With barely over 13,200 residents, Madison County’s population density is well under half of any of its neighboring counties. As a result, the bucolic open spaces and rolling pastures invite country living enthusiasts to call this home.

History

Madison County was carved out of Culpeper County in 1792 and named for the Madison family, who had extensive landholdings and business dealings in the area. And whose most famous son later became the fourth president of the United States.

It is home to American history.

Aptly, the Journey Through Hallowed Ground Natural Heritage Area that runs from Monticello to Gettysburg includes Madison County. Civil War battles are commemorated at The James City Battlefield located south of the Culpeper County line along U.S. 29, while Jack’s Shop Battlefield lies along Route 231 at Rochelle.

Madison County’s other presidential connection is as the site for President Hoover’s summer retreat. Hoover purchased and built a large cabin where the Laurel and Mills Forks combine to form the Rapidan River. He used the retreat throughout his presidency to escape the heat, humidity, and pressure of Washington. In August 1929, Hoover addressed the citizens of Madison County, thanking them for their hospitality, describing his retreat as “the excuse for return to the woods and streams with their retouch of the simpler life of the frontier from which every American springs.” Hoover’s speech is commemorated annually at Hoover Ridge Park. His Rapidan Camp eventually became part of Shenandoah National Park.

Today

Madison County continues to protect and preserve what makes it different.  

Even the way residents experienced the pandemic may have been uniquely Madison County. Holbrook says, “We became better neighbors because of Covid. Instead of retreating and isolating, we found a way to get to know each other, to help each other. That’s one more benefit of country living.”

Five households. Fiona was lucky. Julie came for her husband’s job. Jennifer took over the family farm. Eric moved north from Florida, for a farm, the climate, and sense of community. Jacob came to Madison after military service to open his restaurant, Mad Local. All five have realized dreams for what their life in Madison County would become.

Jennifer’s husband, Jacob Gilley, says, “I have been fortunate to travel many places in my life, but I still believe Madison County and Central Virginia are my favorite. Madison’s rolling hills, beautiful farmland, mountain views, strong community, and proximity to lots of historic and natural parks make it attractive for me.

“Madison has done a great job of strategically controlling growth, ensuring that all the reasons people love Madison persist.”

It’s uniquely Madison County, just the way people like it.

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This article appeared in the Charlottesville Area Association of REALTORS® Real Estate Weekly on 5/5/2021.