Scottsville in Allen County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Scottsville, 1862
1860 – A Bustling County Seat Town
Imagine Scottsville in 1860. A fine two-story octagonal brick courthouse dominates the busy court square. The prosperous rural town of 403 residents boasts a public spring, at least one church, a handful of commercial establishments and several lawyers and doctors.
1862 – “Most of the homes are deserted”
Two years later, most of Scottsville’s men have done to war. Some joined the Union army and others the Confederate because, like the rest of Kentucky, Allen County is divided in its loyalties.
An Illinois corporal wrote, “Scottsville is a little old town with few inhabitants. Most of the homes are deserted.” A Union officer from Ohio described Scottsville as “a little poor concern. Perhaps a dozen or 20 houses.”
The population of Scottsville grew tenfold when the Union army marched into town. Their arrival must have been the biggest thing to ever come down the pike.
“There was no meeting at Bethlehem on the second Sunday in November owing to the army passing down the pike and the house having sick soldiers in it.”
(captions)
The Allen County Courthouse, 1819-1902
The Public Spring, ca 1900
Bethlehem Church, constructed about 1848
“Scottsville … probably at one time contained three hundred inhabitants. About half the houses are log…”
An Illinois sergeant in a letter to his hometown newspaper.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.
Location. 36° 45.508′ N, 86° 11.771′ W. Marker is in Scottsville, Kentucky, in Allen County. Marker can be reached from North Bedelia Street (Kentucky Route 1386) 0.1 miles west of Dumont Hill Street, on the right when traveling west. Marker located on Dumont Hill at Dugas Community Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 336 North Bedelia St, Scottsville KY 42164, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. An Army Restored (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); An Army in Crisis (about 500 feet away); Lilly’s Artillery (about 600 feet away); Ebenezer Dumont (about 700 feet away); A City of Tents (approx. 0.2 miles away); Union Regiments at Scottsville (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Army’s Shopkeeper (approx. ¼ mile away); County Named, 1815 (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Scottsville.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 14, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2020, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 241 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 13, 2020, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.