History and Happenings in beautiful Downtown Scottsboro, Alabama.
*This page is for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with any business, organization or entity. Settled in the early 1850’s, the original downtown Scottsboro was along the railroad tracks. Our historic courthouse square dates back to 1870 with the completion of the first courthouse at Scottsboro and the first business building. Trade Days: Scottsboro's Oldest Tradition
On March 8, 1900, Scottsboro Citizen editor James Armstrong first proposed the idea of a trade day: “Why not have a day SET APART each month in Scottsboro as horse swapper’s day? This would bring a big crowd to town and would be known as horse trader’s day.” But it took a while for the idea to catch on. On November 13, 1902, he again appealed to his readers, this time adding a description and setting a date:
“How would it do to have the first Monday in each month SET APART as horse swapper’s day at Scottsboro? Each first Monday could be made a lively day for buying, swapping, and selling horses and mules. The Citizen suggests that Monday, December 1st, be named the FIRST HORSE SWAPPER’S DAY.”
It was a start, but not a great one. On Thursday, December 4, 1902, Armstrong reported, “The FIRST horse swapper’s day at Scottsboro was not a howling success.” Because the first Monday was also court day, it didn’t take long to become a popular event. Times change, and so has Horse Swapper’s Day. The event has struggled in recent years, but this is nothing new either. In 1925, a plan was outlined by Mr. Benson to assist with the marketing of the declining event by offering free advertising in his Progressive Age newspaper. On March 5, 1925, he stated:
“On the first Monday in April, what is known as Market Day will be started in Scottsboro, and doubtless much good will result from the business and good fellowship campaign arranged for that day. It is planned that in addition to the horse swappers convention that always takes place on First Monday, the farmers of the county will be invited to come on this day and trade and sell their products.”
It is in this same spirit of commerce and civic pride that we have undertaken to revitalize this nearly 120 year-old tradition. It is important to us that we continue to gather together on our courthouse square to trade and socialize. In a crazy world, Trade Day is a way for us to all connect and enjoy each other’s company and our beautiful town! Join us for Scottsboro’s Trade Day tradition the weekend before the first Monday of each month - on the Courthouse Square in beautiful Downtown Scottsboro, Alabama.
-Nat Cisco
The information contained on this page is for the promotion and dissemination of the history of downtown Scottsboro. This is a privately run page. The content is not representative of any organization, municipality or entity.
