Russellville in Franklin County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Birth of a Town

Photographed by Billy Clemmons, December 9, 2024

1. Birth of a Town Marker

Inscription.
This area is the original site of the town of Russellville. At that time it was called Russell’s Valley, Major William Russell came here after being a scout for Andrew Jackson. He liked the area so much that after he left New Orleans, he brought his family back to the area and started a settlement. Local history states that several of the men who were part of laying out the military road returned with him, along with their families.

Major Russell built a trading post and a cabin for his family, located two and a half miles east of the present day Russellville. There are reports of a sickness that moved through the settlement that killed most of the residents, so the town was moved in early 1818 to the present day site and named in honor of Major Russell. For a while this town was known as New Russellville. It was incorporated on 27 November 1819.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is November 27, 1819.

Location. 34° 29.097′ N, 87° 42.459′ W. Marker is in Russellville, Alabama, in Franklin County. It is on State Road 24 east of State Road 243, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Russellville AL 35654, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Alabama.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as

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the crow flies: Ascension (approx. 1.3 miles away); Franklin -- A County Older than the State (approx. 1.9 miles away); Russellville (approx. 1.9 miles away); Historic Roxy Theatre (approx. 1.9 miles away); Russellville First Baptist Church (approx. 1.9 miles away); History of Russellville (approx. 2 miles away); Reedtown High School (approx. 2 miles away); Cedar Creek Furnace (approx. 2.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Russellville.

Photographed by Billy Clemmons, December 9, 2024

2. Birth of a Town Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 9, 2024, by Billy Clemmons of Florence, Alabama. This page has been viewed 472 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 9, 2024, by Billy Clemmons of Florence, Alabama. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.