Writer Colby Dunn plummed the depths of  The Morgan County Citizen’s  archive as we revisit the good old days of Christmas past

December 20, 1912
Dear Santa,
How are you? Please bring us two shot guns and a camping tent. And please bring us a pound of sugar and a pound of lemons. And some fireworks and some apples and some raisins. We are going camping.

Erwin Godfrey Trammell
Edward Taylor Newton
Just leave it at Ed's house, Santa Claus.
Madison, Ga,
Dec. 14, 1912

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A letter from the editor
To the employees of the paper first, who serve it so faithfully and so efficiently; to the patrons next, who make it possible for us to pay the employees and keep the paper going, and to the correspondents, whose excellent letters are sources of interest, and to every reader, we extend cordial Christmas greetings, trusting that the season may be one of much joy and happiness to every one of you.

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December 18, 1925

Dear Santa Claus:
It is just a week to Christmas. I thought I had better write you in time–there will be so many letters for you to read it will take you some time to get through them all. But you must be sure and take time to read mine. I want you to please bring me a doll. I would like for her to have golden hair and blue eyes. I want a little bed for her, too. You will know about the other things–you always do.
Don't forget little Sallie. She wants a doll, too. A rubber one will do. She is only six months old. I am ten years old, and am in the third grade. I think I have written enough–don't you?
From Bessie Harper
Rutledge, Ga.

Story by Ramsey Nix
Images of artwork contributed

Story by Colby Dunn
Photos courtesy of Golden Coast Publishing

For 200 years, the stately homes and buildings of Madison have graced the memories of her residents, charmed the hearts of visitors and been lauded by writers and rhapsodists lucky enough to stop by. Now the architectural pillars of the community will be immortalized on the pages of a new book commemorating Madison's bicentennial entitled "Madison: A classic Southern town."

The book, written by Atlanta author Bill Mitchell and photographed mainly by Van Martin, whose company Golden Coast Publishing is also producing the book, is the brain child and inaugural offering of the newly-formed Historic Madison-Morgan Foundation.

David Land, chairman of the foundation and its creator, said that idea began to germinate in his mind years ago, when he was inspired by the landscapes and architecture that the city and county have to offer.

But it really got off the ground as the Greenspace Commission was working to find the right thing to commemorate Madison's 200th year. After a couple of focus groups and much discussion, the idea of a book formed - one that explored the area's architecture and landscapes, not only with text but visually, as well.

"We had no money, we had nothing," said Land. "All we had was an idea."

So they took the idea to Van Martin, a veteran of the business whose publishing company has produced over 15 titles on Southern architecture, and Bill Mitchell, who has worked with Martin on several titles and is a historian and author of books on other cities like New Orleans and Atlanta.