It's getting to look a lot like Christmas in Scotts Hill. Tinsel, garlands of holly tied with big red bows adorning doors, windows, and street posts. A large crowd assembled Saturday night to usher in the yuletide season when Rande Miller, Mayor, officially turned on the Christmas lights. Residents sang carols and Santa arrived via a bright red firetruck! This town of approximately 800 reminds one, these days, of scenes from the Charles Dickens Christmas story.

Scotts Hill, named for its first merchant, Micajah Scott, sprang up in the early 1820's. According to Gordon Turner's account in his History of Scotts Hill, its first settlers were possibly the Charles Austin's who arrived in the early part of 1825. Austin's house was erected some two miles southwest of town where the Mannford Powers home presently sits. Soon after the arrival of Austin, other families such as the Scotts, Ducks, Dyers, Jones, Kennedys, Turners, Easons and Maness followed.

Located approximately 20 miles southeast of Lexington on present day Highway 114, Scotts Hill was, at first, a mere hamlet of one general store and a few houses. As time passed and stagecoach travel expanded, it became known as a stagecoach stop on the route that ran between Clifton and Lexington. Rafe Holmes owned and operated an inn and livery stables at Scotts Hill.

By 1830 the state census for Henderson County reached 8,741. Land was free for the taking and hordes of immigrants rushed in to claim it. Surveying of land became a thriving occupation as county and personal land grants were established. The reorganization of the Henderson County boundaries were rearranged to establish Decatur County. From this shift, Scotts Hill became situated almost on the line between the two counties.

As the Charles Austin family grew to maturity and other families settled, it was Ephraim Austin (Charles' son) who acquired land holdings in and around Scotts Hill. Lots suitable for building became available and gradually the town grew. Eph, as he was known, built one of the better homes in the area and for a while was known as Scotts Hill's most successful businessman. Among his assets were a cotton gin, a large general store and a grist mill. He also served as postmaster. There are several Ephraim Austin descendants still in and around Scotts Hill.

The first post office opened on August 1, 1850. Since that time several postmasters have served. One of these was Alfred Austin (Alf) who also organized and established the central telephone system. A more recent postmaster was Gordon Scott, who served for several years, to be succeeded by Carolyn Parrish who presently serves.

Pre-Civil War years at Scotts Hill were much as they were in surrounding areas. A store "here and there" furnished staples that couldn't be grown at home. Families worked to obtain a livelihood and enjoyed such social gatherings as musicals, square dances, fiddling contests, and barn raisins'. Scotts Hill has maintained a high level of musical talent from its beginning. Asa Woodward, who married Ephriam Austin's daughter, Phoebe, seemed to have aroused the town to music by organizing the first brass band. Arch Jones, son-in-law of Charles Austin, was considered one of the best fiddlers around. He was often called upon to play for square dances where almost everybody knew how to "frolic" to the music. Later, the John Gilbert family excelled in the music field, but by their time the fiddle had become a violin. Noel Gilbert played with the Memphis Philharmonic for years and his son, Michael, attended Juliard School of Music. He played for some time with the New York Philharmonic. Still later, Vera Murphy, daughter of a Methodist minister, seemed always willing to play for such functions as school operettas, plays, recitals, and graduation ceremonies.

The town continued to grow through the years due to the efforts of many community leaders and businessmen. Dr. R.L. Willie, Ellis Scott, E.E. Rhodes, Cleo Kelley, Eli Taylor, A.C. Durbin and Ily Austin were only a few of the citizens and businessmen who contributed to the town by providing services to the community.

Scotts Hill has always been proud of its school and through the years has been recognized for its high achievements in educational advancement. From a humble log structure built in 1870, the school system, by 1895 had evolved to include the B.A. Tucker College. Students came from miles to attend the two story institution that consisted of three teachers and approximately 200 students.

Since that time, Scotts Hill schools have been fortunate to obtain teachers and educational leaders such as Gordon Turner, Perry Murphy, the Conwells, Jesse B. Austin, Cecil Milam, Nellie Blevins, Sue Smith, Hettie McCollum, Guy Kennedy, Doc Woody, and many others too numerous to mention. Today's faculty is excellent. Dale Crews is Principal and Jackie Mitchell is Assistant Principal. Dale says, "We were very fortunate this year to have received two 21st Century classrooms. We're growing and expanding. We have, as a general rule, good appreciative students, too. Only recently, our Beta Club treated the faculty to an appreciation dinner."

Four churches serve Scotts Hill; the Baptist, the Church of Christ, the Methodist and the Pentecostal. There are four cemeteries as well; the Grandshire Holmes (named for Rafe Holmes, who donated the land), the Methodist Cemetery, the Temple, and Bethel, which is just outside the city limits. Three of Scotts Hill's former mayors are buried at the Holmes. They are Ily Austin, Gordon Turner, and Wilson Miller. Grandparents of John Dancy, NBC newscaster, are buried there also.

Alderman for Scotts Hill are; Jimmy Helms, Harold Britt, David Rhodes, Harold Dyer, David Austin, Ed Tomblin and Joe Tomblin. Jan Miller is city recorder while Doris Scott and Ruth Broadway serve as secretaries.

Businesses at Scotts Hill include several florists, a pharmacy, a full time health clinic, two lumber companies, variety stores, gas stations, insurance and tax offices, two factories, food stores, cafes, two banks, farm supplies and livestock auctions.

During Wilson Miller's tenure as mayor, the city obtained a fire department, senior citizens' center and city park. Today, Vernice Broadway is the fire chief and Donna Galbraight is the center's director.

It was easy for anyone who attended the Christmas tree lighting to detect a genuine feeling of pride and unity at Scotts Hill. The Appreciation Committee says it will become an annual event. Scotts Hill also celebrates an Appreciation Days Weekend each year in August. All area residents are invited to join the Committee and be a volunteer!

Mayor Rande Miller says, "Our main focus this year has been our water system. The water system covers approximately 100 miles of lines with new customers being added weekly. We cannot supply the amount of water necessary for expansion, but have requested a grant for additional wells. Several new businesses have opened within the last year and "A Walking Path" has been approved for the City Park. It will be completed as soon as weather permits. Other projects are in the planning stage. The board and I are always looking for potential growth and welcome any ideas or information that might result in progress for Scotts Hill."

With much enthusiasm, it's easy to see why Scotts Hillians are optimistic about the future. If Micajah Scott (Mayor Miller's great-great-great-great grandfather) could return today, there's no doubt he would be proud of the town that bears his name.