January 17, 1840

The Huntsville Post Office in Madison County was officially named. Explorers from Alabama had come to what is now Huntsville in 1827. Madison County was established in 1836, and it was clear that Huntsville would be the county seat. In 1837, the first courthouse was built, and the town was surveyed. John Buchanan, the only postmaster in the region, moved his post office to the town at that time, along with his home. He attempted to change the name of the town to Sevierville, in recognition of Ambrose Sevier, but was not successful.