Scottsboro
Around Scottsboro
Town and around · Alabama · 53k people
Scottsboro
Locals say Tennessee Valley · “Unclaimed Baggage Capital of the World”
A river town with mountain soul
Scottsboro High School PurpleGold
Welcome to the Tennessee Valley! Whether you're here for the river, the foothills, or the famous Unclaimed Baggage, you'll find a friendly pace and plenty of local pride. Grab some sweet tea and settle in.
Clubs for Scottsboro
No clubs for Scottsboro yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Scottsboro. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Scottsboro. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Unclaimed Baggage Center Famous store selling lost airline luggage.
- Tennessee River Central waterway for boating and fishing.
- Appalachian foothills Rolling hills and forests surrounding the valley.
- Small-town squares Gathering places in Scottsboro, Bridgeport, and Stevenson.
- Russell Cave National Monument Prehistoric cave and archaeological site.
- Goose Pond Colony City park on Lake Guntersville with camping and golf.
- Outdoors Fish for bass on Lake Guntersville
- Outdoors Hike the foothills trails
- With kids Visit the Unclaimed Baggage Center
- With kids Picnic at a small-town square
- Evenings Listen to bluegrass at a local venue
- Evenings Watch Alabama football at a sports bar
- Locals love small-town squares
- Locals love lakefront parks
Through the year
- First Monday Trade Day first Monday of each month Monthly flea market with antiques and crafts.
- Jackson County Fair September Rides, livestock, and local food.
- Bridgeport Depot Days October Railroad heritage celebration with vendors and music.
- Stevenson Depot Days October Railroad heritage celebration with vendors and music.
- Scottsboro Holiday Parade December Holiday parade through downtown.
Humid subtropical with hot, muggy summers and mild winters. Best: Spring and fall are the best times to be outdoors.
Talk like a local
- “The 'Boro”
- Nickname for Scottsboro.
- “The Valley”
- The Tennessee Valley region.
- “The River”
- The Tennessee River.
- “Up the mountain”
- Going to the Appalachian foothills.
Getaways
- Fort Payne Little River Canyon and DeSoto Falls.
- Huntsville U.S. Space & Rocket Center and downtown.
- Chattanooga Aquarium, Lookout Mountain, and riverfront.
- Winchester Tims Ford Lake and small-town charm.
Local flavour
Rooting for Alabama Crimson Tide, Auburn Tigers, Tennessee Volunteers, Atlanta Braves
Eat and drink
- Alabama white BBQ sauce A regional style of barbecue sauce, often served with smoked chicken.
- Fried catfish A local staple from the Tennessee River, often served with hushpuppies.
- Sweet tea The quintessential Southern drink, ubiquitous in local diners and homes.
- Pecan pie A Southern dessert common in the region, especially during holidays.
Where people go
- Unclaimed Baggage Center An iconic store that sells lost airline luggage, drawing visitors from around the world.
- Tennessee River A defining geographic feature, offering fishing, boating, and scenic views.
- Appalachian foothills Hiking trails and overlooks in the nearby mountains provide a rugged backdrop.
- Small-town squares Quaint downtown areas with local shops, diners, and a sense of community.
Heritage and traditions
Scottsboro and the surrounding Tennessee Valley towns are proud of their small-town Southern heritage, their deep connection to the Tennessee River and Lake Guntersville, and their role in civil rights history as the site of the Scottsboro Boys trial.
This time of year in Scottsboro
- Sorghum harvest Fall The Stevenson Sorghum Festival celebrates the local syrup-making tradition.
- Stevenson Sorghum Festival October Celebrates the local sorghum syrup tradition with demonstrations and food.
Say it like a local: “fixin' to” — about to
Festivals
- Stevenson Sorghum Festival October Celebrates the local sorghum syrup tradition with demonstrations and food.
Landmarks with a story
- Scottsboro Boys Museum and Cultural Center Dedicated to the nine African American teenagers falsely accused in the 1931 Scottsboro Boys trial.
- Jackson County Courthouse Site of the Scottsboro Boys trials, a landmark civil rights case.
- Stevenson Railroad Depot A restored 19th-century train station that played a key role in the town's history.
Food traditions
- Sorghum syrup Made from locally grown sorghum cane, this sweet syrup is a Southern staple, often served on biscuits or used in baking.
- Fried green tomatoes A classic Southern side dish made from unripe tomatoes, often served with a tangy sauce.
- Hushpuppies Deep-fried cornmeal fritters, a traditional accompaniment to fried catfish.
- Country ham with red-eye gravy A hearty breakfast tradition, with salty ham and a gravy made from coffee and ham drippings.
- Banana pudding A beloved dessert made with vanilla wafers, bananas, and custard, often served at potlucks and family gatherings.
Music and arts
- Bluegrass and country music traditions Local musicians often play at festivals and community gatherings.
- Local folk art and quilting Craft traditions passed down through generations, often sold at trade days.
- Mountain Valley Arts Council Promotes local arts through exhibitions and events.
A little history
- 1931 Scottsboro Boys trial
- 1870 Founding of Scottsboro
- 1863 Civil War battles around Bridgeport
- 1939 Construction of Lake Guntersville
- Prehistoric Russell Cave habitation
Rivalries
- Alabama vs Auburn The Iron Bowl splits households every fall.
- Alabama vs Tennessee Third Saturday in October is a big one.
- Auburn vs Tennessee Less heated but still fun to argue about.
- Scottsboro High vs Fort Payne High Local high school football rivalry.
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day Fishing tournaments on Lake Guntersville
- Outdoors Go fishing on the Tennessee River
- Outdoors Hunt for deer or turkey in the fall
- With kids Visit the Scottsboro Boys Museum
- With kids Go to the First Monday Trade Day
The local accent is a blend of Southern and Appalachian, with a drawl and occasional dropping of 'g' in -ing words. You'll hear 'y'all' and 'fixin' to' often.
Only here
- The Scottsboro Boys Museum is the only one dedicated to that historic case.
- The area is known for its small-town squares with courthouse squares.
- The Tennessee River provides a natural boundary and a hub for recreation.
- The town has a unique blend of Appalachian and Deep South culture.
New here? A few tips
- Summers are hot and humid, so plan outdoor activities for mornings or evenings.
- The First Monday Trade Day is a huge monthly event—go early and bring cash.
- The Unclaimed Baggage Center is a must-see, but it's just a store, not a museum.
- Learn to love the lake—boating and fishing are central to local life.
- Drive carefully on rural roads, especially at dusk when deer are active.
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Part of Chattanooga area
Nearby
Every areaFort PayneAlabamaWhere the canyon singsAlbertvilleAlabamaWhere the lake is your backyardHuntsvilleAlabamaWhere the South meets the stars.WinchesterTennesseeWhere the mountain meets the valleySummervilleGeorgiaWhere the river runs through the hillsCherokee CountyAlabamaWhere the hills meet the waterFayettevilleTennesseeWhere the hills hold their storiesGadsdenAlabamaWhere the river meets the mountain, and time slows down.
Scottsboro, AL. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.