Russellville in Franklin County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
History of Russellville
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, July 10, 2022
1. History of Russellville Marker
Inscription.
History of Russellville. . First known as Russell's Valley, the area was settled after 1815 by Maj. William Russell, who served with Gen. Andrew Jackson in the Creek War of 1813-1814. Russell built a cabin and trading post about three miles east of the present-day town. Following an outbreak of disease, the settlement relocated along the strategically important Jackson's Military Road from Nashville to New Orleans. The Alabama Territorial Legislature incorporated the town, then called Russellville, on November 27, 1819. The task of laying out the new town fell to the five trustees of the Russellville Land Company: David Moore, Anthony Winston, Brice M. Garner, George Martin, and Richard Ellis. They designed a large public square bounded by Jackson, Lawrence, Washington. and Franklin streets. Henry Hurst built the courthouse and jail that occupied the center of the town square., Trustees governed the town through much of its early history. The first trustees were William Lewis, Walter Otley, Nat Clay, Humphrey Warren, and Arthur F. Hopkins. In 1887, Russellville adopted a mayor-council form of government. The town served as the seat of Franklin County from 1820 to 1849 and since 1891.
First known as Russell's Valley, the area was settled after 1815
by Maj. William Russell, who served with Gen. Andrew Jackson
in the Creek War of 1813-1814. Russell built a cabin and
trading post about three miles east of the present-day town.
Following an outbreak of disease, the settlement relocated along
the strategically important Jackson's Military Road from Nashville
to New Orleans. The Alabama Territorial Legislature incorporated
the town, then called Russellville, on November 27, 1819. The
task of laying out the new town fell to the five trustees of the
Russellville Land Company: David Moore, Anthony Winston,
Brice M. Garner, George Martin, and Richard Ellis. They designed
a large public square bounded by Jackson, Lawrence, Washington.
and Franklin streets. Henry Hurst built the courthouse and
jail that occupied the center of the town square.
Trustees governed the town through much of its early history.
The first trustees were William Lewis, Walter Otley, Nat Clay,
Humphrey Warren, and Arthur F. Hopkins. In 1887, Russellville
adopted a mayor-council form of government. The town served as
the seat of Franklin County from 1820 to 1849 and since 1891.
Erected 2017 by Alabama Historical Association.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic
Location. 34° 30.413′ N, 87° 43.753′ W. Marker is in Russellville, Alabama, in Franklin County. Marker is at the intersection of North Jackson Avenue and Lauderdale Street NW, on the right when traveling north on North Jackson Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 304 N Jackson Ave, Russellville AL 35653, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, July 10, 2022
2. History of Russellville Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 11, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 10, 2022, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 295 times since then and 73 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on July 10, 2022, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
