In 1874, The Florida Manufacturing Company was started in Madison County by Captain John L. Inglis. At the time one of the world's largest processing plants, this plant ginned up to 10,000 bales of Sea Island Long Staple cotton in one year. It was purchased in 1890 by J.P. Coats and continued in operation until the arrival of the Mexican Boll Weevil in 1916. Today the steam engine that powered 65 gins for The Florida Manufacturing Company is on display on South Range St. in Madison.
