Scotts Hill Heritage Collection

Scotts Hill Heritage Collection The Scotts Hill Heritage Collection is on display in the lobby of the Scotts Hill Water Department at 85 Hwy. 114 South in downtown Scotts Hill.

The historical display includes Scotts Hill history and sports. Collecting the Past, Preservation for the Future

While much of the collection was begun in 2011, the original idea comes from an earlier collection in the 1970s that former Mayor Gordon Turner had at his residence. Due to limited space, don't actively seek or accept items unless they directly connect to a Scotts Hill historical aspec

t. The Scotts Hill Heritage Collection is an aggregation of historical documents and items, donated in part by area citizens themselves. The purpose of the exhibit, which opened in November 2011, is " to let people know of the history of Scotts Hill before it's all gone ". The collection is divided into five sections covering various aspects of Scotts Hill's history. Some of the main exhibits that have been on display since day one is a copy of 1899 Scotts Hill Banner newspaper, picture of every Mayor since 1917 and a map of Central Business District history. It's hard to pick out one item that stands out among the collection, but probably it would be the Hill Theathre items, then maybe the Scotts Hill College items. There is just so much you can tell by just looking at an artifact and text label, when you know the story behind that item, it allows us to tell a fuller story. The most important part is to attempt to connect our visitors to the past. This year we have been having Historical Walking Tours to tell some history of the heart of our city. We also have available driving tours of the area. Pictured above is the actual Stagecoach Route as it looks today. Originally built in the 1840s. This particular spot is located about 2 miles North of the Mid-Town area. The city which was first settled in 1825 and incorporated in 1917, it is named for its first merchant, Micajah Scott. The business district gives insight into many of the other early companies, and has information on each of the town's past mayors. In the education display, visitors can see a blueprint from 1964, showing plans for the school building constructed to replace one dating back to 1925. The family of one of the area's most eminent physicians, Dr. R.L. Wylie, donated some of his tools and equipment. Wylie practiced in Scotts Hill for about a half a century before retiring in 1952. The exhibit also features usual items visitors won't find anywhere else---like a handmade wooden tricycle or a handmade desk made by Professor B.A. Tucker of Scotts Hill College in the 1890s. Scotts Hill has taken bold steps to ensure that its past is respected and preserved for future generations. In the past we have worked with other groups such as the Beech River Museum, Tennessee River Museum in Savannah, Mid-West Tennessee Historical Society, West Tennessee Delta Regional Museum in Brownsville, Henderson County Chamber of Commerce, Doe Creek Preservation Committee and Tennessee Tourism. A few items include College Class Information for Scotts Hill College, which was started in 1896, the first Scotts Hill High School yearbook in 1932. Items also include history from the Lime Cola company that used to be in Scotts Hill, the Hill Movie Theatre a history of stores and locations dating back many years, the bus wreck in 1937 that claimed four lives and various pieces of Scotts Hill history. A major attraction in the collection of pictures of street scenes throughout the years from approximately 1900 until about 1980.

06/25/2025

Help our community celebrate our Bicentennial First Weekend in October Looking for Volunteers

Our advertisement found at Casey Jones Welcome Center in Casey Jones Village.
06/19/2025

Our advertisement found at Casey Jones Welcome Center in Casey Jones Village.

06/14/2025
Posted are photos of the original 1920 gym after remodeling was done in 1934. and a portion of the old floor that was re...
06/11/2025

Posted are photos of the original 1920 gym after remodeling was done in 1934. and a portion of the old floor that was retrieved by Eric Hampton for a project he has planned. We are following closely his progress. We thought we would share the history of the old gym.

The first gymnasium was built in 1920 utilizing a dirt floor, the exterior walls were of sawmill lumber. In 1930 a floor was laid; the walls were weatherboarded and windows added. In 1932 further remolding was completed as well as adding shower rooms. This gym was used until 1950 when a new concrete block gym with brick exterior was built for $110,000, the gymnasium that currently is in use. The old gymnasium was sold, moved, rebuilt and repurposed as a business in a different location. The new 1950 gymnasium was built on the former site of a 2-room frame school that was built in 1888 and used until 1896

A State Tournament Basketball Team came out of that dirt floor gym. The Tournament was held in Knoxville, they went in 2 Model-T Cars. Ernest Rhodes drove one of them. In the first Round Scotts Hill drew Bristol, Scotts Hill won 39-20. In the Second Round Scotts Hill played Sparta, Scotts Hill won 35-30. in the Third Round Scotts Hill played Knox Halls, Scotts Hill was defeated 24-33. One game away from playing in the Championship Game. Scotts Hill would have played College Grove, the eventual 1929 State Champion.

Other teams from the West State area that played in that tournament, but we did not play were Hornbeak, Halls, Covington and Linden.

06/07/2025

Somebody came by the Heritage Collection a while back that had an original student desk that came from the Doe Creek School , could that person please get in contact with Museum Director David Austin or Freddie Kennedy with the Doe Creek School Organization.

06/03/2025

ON THE SHELF NOW !!!

This is a link to the graduates of Scotts Hill College and the Degrees that they acquired.
05/29/2025

This is a link to the graduates of Scotts Hill College and the Degrees that they acquired.

This web site was created by David Donahue and Brenda Fiddler as a public repository for genealogical and historical research of Henderson, Decatur and adjacent counties.

We was featured with the Tennessee Association of Museums again this week.
05/28/2025

We was featured with the Tennessee Association of Museums again this week.

Here is the answer to last week's WHERE is it Wednesday: Scotts Hill Heritage Collection in Scotts Hill, TN!

Check back next week to see our next WHERE is it Wednesday!

05/24/2025
05/17/2025
We have gotten the Scotts Hill High School Graduate Index Updated to include the 2025 Graduates. This database includes ...
05/09/2025

We have gotten the Scotts Hill High School Graduate Index Updated to include the 2025 Graduates. This database includes graduates back to 1922. We still need a graduate list from the Class of 1923 through 1928. Below is a link to the database. It now includes 4700 names.

This web site was created by David Donahue and Brenda Fiddler as a public repository for genealogical and historical research of Henderson, Decatur and adjacent counties.

Address

Scotts Hill, TN

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

(731) 549-3175

Website

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