Downtown Scottsville is also known as the “Scottsville Historic District,” located along the horseshoe bend of the James River in Albemarle County, extending north and westward over the town’s hills and bluffs.
The district includes 153 commercial, residential, religious, factory and warehouse buildings of nationally recognized historic significance. These include six large estates that together surround most of the Historic District: Belle Haven, Cliffside, Chester, Oakwood, Mount Walla, and Riverview. Of those six estates, two, Clifton and Mount Walla, are already listed individually in the National Register.
Spanning the mid-18th century through the late 1950s, the architectural styles represented throughout the district include Federal, Georgian, Greek Revival, Gothic Revival, Italianate, Queen Anne, Prairie, Colonial Revival, and Craftsman. Some of the most abundant styles here are Colonial Revival and Craftsman.
A lull in the town’s economy since the end of the 19th century has contributed to the retention of much of the district’s character. The prolonged use of certain styles in the district illustrates Scottsville’s relative isolation resulting from the reduction in commerce when the James River and Kanawha Canal was replaced by the Richmond and Allegheny Railroad in the 1880s.
The Town is committed to promoting a thriving downtown business environment while maintaining the historic inheritance received through this architecture. A committee of residents reviews any requests for exterior changes to buildings in the Scottsville Historic District, called the Architectural Review Board.
Get to know the current life of these historic properties by taking a stroll using our Walking Tour Map.
The Scottsville Museum also offers a walking tour booklet that includes more detailed information about the architecture and historic personalities of the town. The booklet is available for purchase for $5 by visiting the museum at 290 West Main Street Scottsville, VA 24590 or calling 434-286-2247.