Oak Ridge in Anderson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

The Scarboro Community

Photographed by Donald Raby, September 23, 2001

1. The Scarboro Community Marker

Inscription. The Scarboro Community was founded by three brothers in the early 1790s. Jonathan, David and James Scarborough traveled from Virginia and settled here. Scarboro was one of four area communities that predated Oak Ridge. The community remained largely unchanged until 1942, when the creation of the secret Oak Ridge facility meant dispersal of the community.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1D 29.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Science & Medicine • Settlements & Settlers • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1942.

Location. 35° 59.064′ N, 84° 13.246′ W. Marker is in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, in Anderson County. It is on Bethel Valley Road just east of Scarboro Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Oak Ridge TN 37830, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee

and in Greater Knoxville.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Oak Ridge (approx. 0.6 miles away); Y-12 Plant (approx. 1.3 miles away); Bear Creek Checking Station (approx. 1.6 miles away); Oak Ridge Bombers (approx. 2.2 miles away); a different

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marker also named The Scarboro Community (approx. 2½ miles away); Scarboro (approx. 2.7 miles away); Violent Clashes (approx. 2.8 miles away); The Birth of the City of Oak Ridge, Tennessee (approx. 2.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oak Ridge.

Regarding The Scarboro Community. The correct spelling of the original family is Scarbrough. Several variants are common, but I was asked by family descendants to give preferred spelling. Jonathan Lupton Scarbrough is buried on Pine Ridge about two miles northeast of this marker.
There was a school and at least four churches and several stores in this community.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, December 30, 2017

2. The Scarboro Community Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 18, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 3, 2010, by Donald Raby of Knoxville, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 4,545 times since then and 130 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 3, 2010, by Donald Raby of Knoxville, Tennessee. 2. submitted on December 30, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.