Belgren near Russellville in Franklin County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Town of Belgreen
Franklin County
Photographed By Billy Clemmons
1. Town of Belgreen Marker
Inscription.
Town of Belgreen. Franklin County. After the northern portion of the county was taken to create Colbert County. An election was held to move the county seat to a more central location. In 1878. Jesse Amos Bolton surveyed and laid out the streets of the new town of Belgreen. An early plat map shows approximately 12 blocks. Franklin, Jefferson, and Washington Streets ran east and west. while Main Street, now Highway 187 ran north and south. with each street measuring 99 feet wide. Each block measured 210 square feet and Block Six was designated as the location for the courthouse and jail Both buildings were wood frame structures. The settlement grew from a small farming community into a prosperous town. The post office was established May 20, 1879. Some of the early settlers were the Brittons, Ezzells, Fosters, Hesters, Thompsons, and Waltrips. At one time the Ezzells owned much of the land in and around the town. On December 4, 1890. a fire destroyed the wooden courthouse and all county records. In 1934, the bars in the old jail were removed and taken to the nearby town of Hodges to be used in their jail. Today the Belgreen School campus sits on the site of the old town.
After the northern portion of the county was taken to create Colbert County. An election was held to move the county seat to a more central location. In 1878. Jesse Amos Bolton surveyed and laid out the streets of the new town of Belgreen. An early plat map shows approximately 12 blocks. Franklin, Jefferson, and Washington Streets ran east and west. while Main Street, now Highway 187 ran north and south. with each street measuring 99 feet wide. Each block measured 210 square feet and Block Six was designated as the location for the courthouse and jail Both buildings were wood frame structures. The settlement grew from a small farming community into a prosperous town. The post office was established May 20, 1879. Some of the early settlers were the Brittons, Ezzells, Fosters, Hesters, Thompsons, and Waltrips. At one time the Ezzells owned much of the land in and around the town. On December 4, 1890. a fire destroyed the wooden courthouse and all county records. In 1934, the bars in the old jail were removed and taken to the nearby town of Hodges to be used in their jail. Today the Belgreen School campus sits on the site of the old town.
Erected 2022 by Alabama Historical Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers
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. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 20, 1879.
Location. 34° 28.46′ N, 87° 51.932′ W. Marker is near Russellville, Alabama, in Franklin County. It is in Belgren. Marker is on Jail Springs Road east of Alabama Route 187, on the left when traveling east. The marker stands in front of the career center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 85 Jail Springs Rd, Russellville AL 35653, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 24, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 11, 2023, by Billy Clemmons of Florence, Alabama. This page has been viewed 140 times since then and 46 times this year. Photo1. submitted on February 11, 2023, by Billy Clemmons of Florence, Alabama. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide shot of the marker in context. •
Verification of the geocoordinates. • Can you help?
