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Quick Jump: Heritage Center | Spirit of Scottsboro | Buck's Pocket State Park | Bridgeport Railroad Depot | First Monday | Russell Cave National Monument | Stevenson Railroad Depot | Unclaimed Baggage Center | Old MacDonald's Petting Zoo | LodgingHeritage Center
The history of Scottsboro and Jackson County is housed in a splendid Greek revival mansion. The museum consists of the 1880 ante-bellum Brown-Proctor house; the pioneer village, composed of authentic buildings, named "Sagetown;" and the 1868 Jackson County Courthouse. The museum also offers genealogical research, special events and exhibits throughout the year. Special events include art exhibits, musical performances, theatrical performances and heritage festivals. Museum hours are 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday-Friday. Reservations or notice is preferred for groups. Special tours can be arranged by appointment. 256-259-2122.
Spirit of Scottsboro
The Spirit of Scottsboro is a Main Street Program dedicated to the historic preservation of Scottsboro while promoting the strengthening of the retail businesses in general and in specific working to ensure a vital presence around the Courthouse Square. The office is currently selling a set of sketches entitled, "Echoes of the Past". The sketches are 18 x 24 and suitable for framing. The first sketch has as its center the Jackson County Courthouse surrounded by sketches of Payne Drug Store, Hodges Hospital, Scottsboro Jackson County Heritage Center, The First City Hall and The Gay Home - Scottsboro-Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Building. The second sketch has as its center the Scottsboro Depot surrounded by The Bailey Hotel, The Old Grammar School, The Presbyterian Church, The Coffee House and The Blacksmith Shop. The price to purchase a single sketch is $20.00; however, if you buy a set (one of each sketch) then the price is $35.00 for the set. Any one of these items would make an excellent Christmas Gift. In the stocking stuffer category we have a 2003 Calendar. This year's calendar features the older Churches of Scottsboro, along with their history. The calendars are $5.00 apiece. The Spirit of Scottsboro is available to work with potential retailers wishing to locate a business in the Historic Downtown area of Scottsboro and also to work with existing retailers and/or professional personnel in the renovation or upgrading of their buildings in keeping with the historic period and style of the original architecture.
First Monday is seeking to expand the number of Vendors that participate in this program. For those Vendors that travel in Motor Homes and/or have trailers (the BIG RIGS) we are planning to expand and offer spaces for you at our Fair Grounds. There is ample parking available at the Fair Grounds, as well as electricity, an excellent snack bar and bathroom facilities. Plans are to make these spaces available as soon as we have a commitment from 10-12 Vendors with "BIG RIGS". To ensure that everyone knows when we have Vendors operating both at the Fair Grounds and around the Courthouse, we plan on providing a major advertising campaign. To check on space availability around the Courthouse Square, or to indicate your desire to participate in the Fair Ground Expansion program, contact the office at 256-574-2866.
Buck's Pocket State ParkRugged mountains and deep canyons are the outstanding natural features of Buck’s Pocket State Park, a 2,000 acre area that runs along the West side of Sand Mountain. Extending into adjacent DeKalb and Marshall Counties, the park is loveliest in spring and fall when the colors of wild flowers and autumn leaves decorate the backdrop of gorges, peaks and streams. Guests can camp in primitive sites or in sites with hook-ups, and can enjoy fishing and swimming at South Sauty Creek. There is also a boat launch into beautiful Lake Guntersville. Hikers will want to climb to Paint Rock to catch the dramatic view of the 800 foot Buck’s Pocket Canyon. The park headquarters building is located at the bottom. Bridgeport Railroad Depot
A good place to visit is the Old Depot in Bridgeport, Jackson County, Alabama. It will be open to the public. The building and grounds are in the process of being restored after being idle for over thirty years. It will house the Bridgeport Area Historical Association (BAHA) offices, museum of local artifacts and railroad memorabilia, and a historical research library for Bridgeport and area history buffs as well as genealogy buffs. There are records that go back to 1807, Bridgeport News issues back to 1891, Post Office records, tax records, business charge account ledgers, War Between the States records, and much more. First MondayTrade DaysFor over one hundred years the residents of Scottsboro and Jackson County have come together for "trade days" where bartering, buying and swapping of goods has not passed on with time. A blend of yard sales, antique shows, and arts and crafts, trade days attract several thousand people monthly. The biggest weekend is on Labor Day, where 40,000 people flood into the county seat. Held on and around the courthouse square, the event takes place the first Monday and preceding Sunday of each month. "First Monday" was the day that the Jackson County Circuit Court was held in the mid 1850s. Today, the year round event, no longer tied to the judicial calendar, is held from morning until dark so shoppers can browse and barter to their hearts’ content. For booth rental information contact: Nancy Cline at the Spirit of Scottsboro Office which is located at
227 S. Market Street, Scottsboro, AL 35768. The mailing address is P.O. Box 972, Scottsboro, AL 35768. The phone/FAX number is 256-574-2866 and the email address is spiritof@scottsboro.org Art SundayFirst Monday's Art Sunday, an outdoor art and craft show held at Caldwell Park, 1002 South Broad Street, is sponsored by the Three Arts Club of Scottsboro. First Monday's Art Sunday, which takes place on the Sunday before Labor Day, has grown yearly and now attracts artists and craftspeople from far and wide. It includes a juried show, offering awards in each category, plus citizen awards from local businesses. A day of sightseeing through the many displays and demonstrations while enjoying the day's entertainment, music and food has made First Monday's Art Sunday an outstanding attraction on Labor Day in Scottsboro. Proceeds from the show have made it possible for the club to sponsor many community projects and educational endeavors. For more information on space rentals contact: Helen Kern
236 Broad Street Scottsboro, AL 35768 256-574-4784 (afternoons only) Russell Cave National Monument
History buffs will love Russell Cave, the prize at the end of a 12 mile trail that winds through 310 acres of pristine woodlands. It was donated to the area by the National Geographic Society. President John F. Kennedy proclaimed the site a National Monument in 1961 and it is still the only one in Alabama. Visitors can take a self-guided tour through the cave shelter, or experienced spelunkers can apply for a permit to explore the big cave. The Visitors Center provides artifact displays and special programs which offer a glimpse into the lives of early residents who lived in and around the cave from 7000 BC to 1000 AD. Stevenson Railroad Depot
During the War Between the States, the Stevenson Railroad Depot, now on the National Register of Historic Places, was a Union stronghold. Today, it is a popular stop for a journey through history. In June, the entire city brings back the days when the great iron horses ruled the rails and Stevenson was a major stopping place for weary travelers. Activities are focused around the Depot and include wagon rides to nearby Fort Harker, dating back to the early days of the War Between the States. There are also parades, square dancing, story-telling contests, clogging, museum tours and big band entertainment. The museum is open Monday through Saturday. 256-437-3012. Unclaimed Baggage Center
"One of the Country's best kept shopping secrets..." proclaims Oprah. Each week thousands of shoppers discover the adventure of searching for lost treasures in a sprawling retail space which covers a city block. With everything from personal electronics and cameras to clothing for virtually every size and every event shoppers continue to be delighted by the ever changing inventory as new merchandise is stocked everyday through the more than 30,000 square feet of retail area. A wide selection of sorting goods always draws a crowd as does the extensive selection of fine jewelry. Need a break while shopping? Try Cups, UBC's very own expresso cafe where we proudly brew Starbucks coffees. A world of treasures await you at Unclaimed Baggage Center open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday thru Friday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. Closed Sunday. Old MacDonald's Petting ZooLocated on over 6 beautifully wooded acres, Old MacDonald's Petting Zoo offers fun for the whole family. Just a few examples of animals you might see at the Zoo are: porcupines, Siberian Lynx, cows, pigs, bunnies, skunks, llama, Patagonian Cavy, deer sheep exotic chickens, emus, swans, guineas, turkeys, and many more. Old MacDonald's Petting Zoo also has a pond, picnic area, gift shop, playground, and also hayrides. Regular admission rates are $4.00 for children and adults, group rates are (group = 12 people or more) $3.50 for children and adults. Dates of operation: LODGINGHotels/Motels:
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FOR MORE INFORMATION: info@sjcchamber.org |
The First Monday Weekend program is also administered from this office. We are currently preparing to mark the 100th Anniversary of Scottsboro's First Monday Trade Days this December 1st and 2nd. Tote Bags commemorating the 100th Anniversary are available from our office at a cost of $5.00 each. Vendors wishing to obtain permits to participate in First Monday may do so by contacting this office at 256-574-3100 ext. 237 or by sending us an email at