Scottsboro City : Interesting Facts, History & Information

The city of Scottsboro, AL is located in Jackson County and was founded in 1870. It is the county seat of Jackson County and is a part of the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. The city is situated along the Tennessee River and has a population of around 15,000 people. The city was named after a riverboat captain, Robert T. Scott.

The town grew rapidly in the late 19th century, thanks to its convenient location on a major transportation route and the establishment of the railway in 1872. A number of industries such as textiles, lumber, and food processing followed the rail line and the economy of the city was boosted. The Great Depression hit Scottsboro hard and its recovery was slow; however, a number of economic projects developed after WWII and Scottsboro experienced a surge in development in the1970s.

An important event in Scottsboro’s history was the 1931 Scottsboro Boys trial, in which nine African American young men were wrongfully charged with raping two white women. The case was the first time in US history that the Supreme Court had intervened to stop a state court from convicting a group of people without due process. The case brought the issue of inequality and injustice in the southern states to the center of national attention and was a major factor in the civil rights movement.

Today, Scottsboro is a city that values its past as well as its present. It has several historical sites related to the Scottsboro Boys trial and the Jackson County Civil War museum, a restored mill, the historic Scottsboro Arts Council and Opera House, and several antique stores. Scottsboro also serves as a gateway to the TVA-managed Lake Guntersville State Park, which is a popular destination for fishing and outdoor recreation. Scottsboro offers its visitors a combination of history, natural beauty, and modern-day convenience.

Interesting Facts About Scottsboro City

1. Scottsboro was the first Alabama city to elect a black mayor and council.

2. The Battle of High Klopes, one of the last battles of the Civil War, was fought in Scottsboro.

3. The Scottsboro Boys were nine African American teenagers who were falsely accused of raping two white women in the city in 1931. Their case became a major cause celebre of the Civil Rights Movement.

4. Scottsboro is the home of O’Bryant Chapel, the oldest standing African American church in Alabama.

5. Scottsboro is home to the Unclaimed Baggage Center, the one-of-a-kind store that has become a destination for tourists from around the world.

6. The city is the site of the annual Scottsboro Boys Reunion, an event commemorating those falsely accused of rape.

7. Scottsboro is home to two major annual festivals—the Tomato Festival in June and the International Goats and Music Festival in October.

8. Scottsboro is located in Jackson County, Alabama, which is one of the only counties in the country to ever elect a majority African-American county commission.

9. The city’s name comes from the Scottish colonialists who first settled the area in the early 19th century.

10. The city is home to the Northeast Alabama Community College, which was the first postsecondary educational institution established in the state for African-Americans.

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What is Scottsboro known & Famous for

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Scottsboro, Alabama is best known for the landmark 1931 civil rights Supreme Court case, Powell v. Alabama. This case was a landmark civil rights case which saw the U.S. Supreme Court overturn the convictions of nine African American teenagers who had been falsely accused of rape. This case was instrumental in helping to lay the legal groundwork for the civil rights movement in the United States.

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What Is It Like To Visit In Scottsboro City?

Visiting Scottsboro, AL is like visiting a small, southern town with plenty of charm. While there, you can enjoy all the local attractions, ranging from the scenic beauty of nearby Jackson County Lake and the Tennessee River to the many historical sites in and around the city. For a relaxing and fun day, take a walk along the 3.25 mile Scottsboro Valley Trail, which winds its way through the city and into the Tennessee River Valley. There is also plenty of shopping in Scottsboro, with a range of quaint shops and boutiques offering everything from antiques to clothing and more. The city even has its own farmers markets, where you can find fresh, locally-grown produce. For a unique experience, be sure to check out the annual Frog Festival, held every autumn in Scottsboro. The festival celebrates the local frog population and features fun activities such as frog races, art and craft shows, live music, and much more.

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