MOMENTS IN MADISON – Betts School, pictured here, was one of seven schools that consolidated with West Madison in the mid 1940’s. Here is some West Madison history from Cindi Sanderson: The present site of West Madison is not the original site. In early years, school was held in churches or other structures. In 1936 materials and land was obtained with the assistance of the Work Project Administration. Citizens also contributed money and free labor to construct the new three room building on Pension Row. By 1948 it was enlarged to five classrooms and had consolidated with Union Hill, New Haven, Betts, Capshaw, Saint James and Triana. They increased to 16 teachers. Classes were taught in the school building, a lodge hall and four churches. In 1949 the school building was destroyed by fire. Due to State regulations, the building could not be rebuilt on the same location. In 1953 the current West Madison was built. It originally had 12 classrooms, a cafeteria and a principal’s office. Throughout the years it has been added to and updated several times. For more Madison Moments, go to the Madison150AL200 Facebook page, and be sure to watch for more Moments in Madison in The Madison Record. CONTRIBUTED