Discover the history, culture, and creativity that make Downtown Scottsboro a destination worth exploring. Whether you’re visiting for the day or spending the weekend, you’ll find unique attractions, public art, museums, and historic landmarks throughout our walkable downtown district.
Take a self-guided tour through Downtown Scottsboro’s vibrant collection of murals, learn about local and national history at our museums and heritage sites, or explore exhibits that tell the story of the people and events that shaped our community. From the Historic Photo Trail to the Scottsboro Boys Museum and Cultural Center, every stop offers a deeper connection to Scottsboro’s rich heritage.
Downtown Scottsboro is also a place where art and history come together. Public murals celebrate our community, local culture, and natural beauty, while historical attractions preserve stories that continue to inspire future generations.
Whether you’re interested in history, photography, art, architecture, or simply discovering something new, Downtown Scottsboro offers memorable experiences for visitors of all ages. Explore the attractions below and start your journey through one of North Alabama’s most unique downtown districts.
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.
Discover the stories, history, and creativity that come to life through the Murals of Downtown Scottsboro. These vibrant works of public art celebrate the people, places, and events that have shaped our community while showcasing the incredible talent of local and regional artists.
Take a self-guided mural tour, snap a few photos, and experience Downtown Scottsboro through the eyes of the artists who have helped bring our community’s story to life.
Photos courtesy of Life’s Mirror Images
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.
We 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.
Located in the historic Joyce Chapel, the Scottsboro Boys Museum & Cultural Center preserves and shares the story of one of the most significant civil rights cases in American history. Through exhibits, photographs, artifacts, and historical documents, visitors can explore the events surrounding the Scottsboro Boys case and its lasting impact on the American justice system and the modern civil rights movement.
The museum commemorates the lives and legacy of nine young African American men who became international symbols of race-based injustice in the American South. Their arrests, trials, and convictions in 1931 led to landmark United States Supreme Court decisions that helped strengthen due process protections and shape the nation’s ongoing pursuit of equal justice.
Housed in one of Jackson County’s oldest surviving African American churches, the museum offers visitors a powerful opportunity to learn, reflect, and engage with a story that continues to resonate today. Through educational exhibits and cultural programming, the museum promotes a deeper understanding of civil rights, reconciliation, and the importance of preserving history for future generations.
Address
428 W. Willow Street
Scottsboro, AL 35768
Hours
The museum is self-guided, with tours available by appointment. To schedule a tour, call 256-912-0471.
Photos courtesy of Life’s Mirror Images
Downtown Scottsboro is home to a rich collection of historical markers and landmarks that tell the story of our community’s past. Centered around the Public Square Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, these sites offer visitors an opportunity to explore the people, events, and places that helped shape Scottsboro and Jackson County.
Located on the grounds of the Jackson County Courthouse, this marker commemorates the Scottsboro Boys case, one of the most significant civil rights and legal justice cases in American history. The trials that began in Scottsboro during the 1930s led to landmark Supreme Court decisions and played an important role in the fight for equal justice under the law.
This marker honors Robert Thomas Scott, the founder of Scottsboro and a key figure in the community’s early development. His vision and leadership helped establish the settlement that would become the county seat of Jackson County.
This marker recognizes General Andrew Jackson, the military leader and future president for whom Jackson County was named. It highlights the region’s early history and the role Jackson played in the development of North Alabama.
The heart of Downtown Scottsboro is the Public Square Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Surrounding the historic Jackson County Courthouse, the district features historic commercial buildings, architectural landmarks, and sites that reflect the growth and character of Scottsboro through the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Take a self-guided walk through downtown and discover the stories, landmarks, and historic sites that continue to make Scottsboro a unique destination in North Alabama.
No matter what your trip entails, we have something for everyone!
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