How Do You Pronounce New Madrid?

By Robert Palmer

Have you ever come across the name New Madrid and wondered how to pronounce it correctly? You are not alone!

This small town in Missouri has a unique name that often leaves people confused. In this article, we will break down the correct pronunciation of New Madrid.

Firstly, let’s clear up any confusion about the spelling. The word “Madrid” is spelled the same way as the capital city of Spain. However, the pronunciation is entirely different.

The correct way to pronounce New Madrid is “New Ma-drid” with the emphasis on the second syllable. The “a” in Madrid is pronounced like “ah,” and the “i” sounds like “ee.” So, it should sound like “ma-dreed.”

Now that we have cleared up how to say it let’s take a look at where this town gets its unique name from. New Madrid was named after Madrid, Spain, by Spanish explorers who discovered the area in 1682. When Spain ceded their territory west of the Mississippi River to France in 1762, it became known as Upper Louisiana and later became part of Missouri.

Today, New Madrid is famous for being near one of the most active seismic zones in North America – The New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ). In 1811-1812, a series of powerful earthquakes occurred along this fault line that caused widespread damage and changed the course of nearby rivers.

In conclusion, if you ever find yourself traveling through Missouri and pass by this little town called New Madrid, remember to pronounce it as “New Ma-drid.” It’s always fun to learn about new places and their unique histories. Thanks for reading!