Looking for places to visit while you are in Downtown Scottsboro? Downtown Scottsboro is filled with great dining, rich history, and unique retail! Create your perfect visit to downtown with our suggestions below!
Downtown Scottsboro is a place where history meets opportunity. As a Main Street Alabama designated community, we are committed to preserving our historic charm while fostering economic growth. Our downtown features a unique mix of locally owned shops, restaurants, and attractions, making it a destination for both residents and visitors.
But downtown is more than just the square—it extends beyond, offering hidden gems and special places waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re here to shop, dine, or explore, there’s always something new to find.
We have so many talented artists in town, and we love that we have a place where we can showcase them! Come check out the murals below and learn about the rich history of this area!
In 2018, we attended a workshop led by Katie Meyer, former executive director of Renaissance Covington. Inspired by her presentation on Curb’d Placemaking, we decided to implement a similar idea in Scottsboro—a permanent historic photo trail around our courthouse square.
Our Main Street Design Committee collaborated with Sign-1-1 to create weather-proof metal plaques featuring historic photos of downtown Scottsboro. Each plaque, mounted on light poles around the square, showcases old images with captions, placed near their original locations.
For example, the plaque in front of Payne’s Soda Fountain displays a 1892 photo of the business and a 1908 view of Laurel Street. Funding came from event vendor fees and sales of Downtown Scottsboro merchandise.
As we complete the Laurel Street side, work will begin on the Market Street side, aiming to cover all four sides of the square. We hope this photo trail will enrich our community’s understanding of Scottsboro’s history and encourage exploration of our vibrant past.
The Scottsboro Boys Museum, situated in the historic Joyce Chapel, provides an insightful tour of the case that played a significant role in the emergence of the modern civil rights movement. On March 25, 1931, nine African American youths were falsely accused of raping two white women on a train traveling through northern Alabama. They were taken to the Jackson County jail, where they were tried and convicted within two weeks. Collectively, the nine men served 102 years in state prison for a crime they did not commit.
Their plight drew international attention. The museum’s exhibits delve into the intricate narrative, exploring themes of race and gender in American society, the impact of Jim Crow laws and poverty, and the lasting significance of the case.
The museum is open Wednesday- Friday, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm and Saturday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. This is a self guided museum, but tours are available by appointment; to schedule call 256-912-0471.
The Heritage Center, opened in 1985. It is both a historical and a cultural museum dedicated to representing the rich history, customs, traditions and art of Jackson County. The museum is composed of four separate exhibit areas: the “Brown-Proctor House,” the “Addition,” the pioneer village named “Sagetown,” and the “Little Courthouse.”
The Heritage Center is open Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Tours can be arranged Tuesday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. by special appointment. Simply call 256-259-2122, and we will answer any questions you may have.
No matter what your trip entails, we have something for everyone!
Discover all things happening in Scottsboro.
