The Town of Madrid was formed in 1802. Originally it was referred to as Roberts’ Mills and later Columbia Village before being called Madrid in the early 1860’s. In the early days, life centered around the Grasse River where factories and homes grew. In 1852, Madrid was said to have two taverns, a bookstore, two shoe stores, six stores, one tannery, one saw mill, one grist mill, two wagon shops, one woolen factory, four churches, one jeweler and three blacksmith shops…just to mention a few spots!!! In 1873, a two-story brick school was built next to the present day Madrid Hepburn Library In 1882. The bell that hung at this school now hangs at the Elementary entrance of Madrid-Waddington Central School. The Madrid Bridge was built of stone over the Grasse River connecting people and businesses.