Alex Madonna

Alex Madonna (November 19 1918 - 22 April 2004) was a prominent builder and real estate developer on the Central Coast of California. He is perhaps most noted for the Madonna Inn which he built for his wife, Phyllis Madonna.

Madonna was a self-made man. He started his own construction company in his early years, served on the Army Corps of Engineers in World War II, built bridges and roads throughout California. The Madonna Construction Company, under his leadership, was responsible for the construction of much of US 101 between Santa Barbara and Salinas between 1953 and 1970. Traveling north on the freeway through San Luis Obispo, you can see an old neon sign (the pink and green are Mrs. and Mr. Madonna's favorite colors) for the construction company, about 100 yards north of the aptly named Madonna Road exit. His holdings included thousands of acres of property, and horse and cattle ranches in California and Oregon.

When Mr. Madonna was still alive he would come around to all tables eating in the Steak House and tell them all his favorite steak; which was the New York. He said it had the most flavor and more tender then the Rib Eye.

In 2007 the stretch of 101 through San Luis Obispo and the Madonna Inn was dedicated to Mr. Madonna as Alex Madonna Memorial Highway.

External links

* [http://www.newtimes-slo.com/archives/cov_stories_2004/cov_04282004.htm New Times Story]
* [http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/26/national/26MADO.html?ex=1398312000&en=6883d4d58d37dfd1&ei=5007&partner=USERLAND New York Times Obituary]