Scottsville began in 1732 when Edward Scott, a Goochland County burgess, patented 550 acres just west of the future town. The southern Albemarle County community prospered, reaching its apogee in the early 19th century with the opening of the James River and Kanawha Canal. Scottsville soon became an important flour market. Its decline began in 1865 when Union Gen. Philip Sheridan’s troops pillaged the place, wrecking the canal and destroying commercial buildings. Scottsville never really recovered, and its stymied growth preserved its historic character. Some 100 older buildings remain in the Scottsville Historic District, almost half dating before the Civil War, including Classical Revival churches and a broad range of vernacular houses. Included is the ca 1820 Mount Walla, which is individually listed in the registers.

In 2004, the Scottsville Historic District was expanded to include much of the town of Scottsville from the James River north and west over the town’s hills and bluffs, and the updated nomination includes a full inventory of the buildings within the district in both Albemarle and Fluvanna counties.
[VLR Listed: 12/3/2003; NRHP Listed: 2/11/2004]