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

Franklin -- A County Older than the State

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, 2022

1. Franklin -- A County Older than the State Marker

Inscription.

Franklin -- A County Older than the State. . The Alabama Territorial Legislature created Franklin County on February 6, 1818, from lands ceded two years earlier by the Chickasaw and Cherokee nations. The county was named in honor of Benjamin Franklin. The first sheriff was James Frazier. The first probate judge was John S. Fulton, appointed in 1821. At its creation, Franklin County consisted of more than 1200 square miles and just two towns, Russell's Valley (Russellville) and Big Springs (Tuscumbia). The creation of Colbert County in 1867 from the northern portion of Franklin reduced greatly its original size. Tuscumbia became the seat of the new county. , In 1818, Joseph Heslip constructed Alabama Iron Works, the state's first iron ore furnace. Iron produced at the Franklin County facility, which was later renamed Cedar Creek Furnace, aided in both the Mexican War and Civil War. In July 1864, Union Gen. Lovell H. Rousseau destroyed the furnace during his raid through Alabama., Reverse Side , Franklin County has made several notable contributions to the area of higher education. The origins of Alabama's first state- chartered college are in the county. The Methodist Church established LaGrange College there in 1830. The first graduate, J.D. Malone, was a native of nearby Limestone County. In 1855, the college relocated to Florence, Lauderdale County. In 1974, it was renamed the University of North Alabama. John Nooe, the first graduate of the University of Alabama, was a son of Franklin County. Russellville native Luther Noble Duncan served as Auburn president from 1935 until his death in 1947. , In 1881, 25 residents of Franklin County organized Alabama's first chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. Members of the group had previously attended meetings of the order in neighboring Mississippi. Alabama Charity Chapter 1 received its charter a decade thereafter. When a fire destroyed the original lodge, located in Burleson, it relocated to Vina and then Red Bay. The oldest marked grave in Franklin County is that of Maj. James Dorman, a veteran of the War of 18 12, who died on April 11, 1819.

The Alabama Territorial Legislature created Franklin County on February 6, 1818, from lands ceded two years earlier by the Chickasaw and Cherokee nations. The county was named in honor of Benjamin Franklin. The first sheriff was James Frazier. The first probate judge was John S. Fulton, appointed in 1821. At its creation, Franklin County consisted of more than 1200 square miles and just two towns, Russell's Valley (Russellville) and Big Springs (Tuscumbia). The creation of Colbert County in 1867 from the northern portion of Franklin reduced greatly its original size. Tuscumbia became the seat of the new county.

In 1818, Joseph Heslip constructed Alabama Iron Works, the state's first iron ore furnace. Iron produced at the Franklin County facility, which was later renamed Cedar Creek Furnace, aided in both the Mexican War and Civil War. In July 1864, Union Gen. Lovell H. Rousseau destroyed the furnace during his raid through Alabama.

Reverse Side
Franklin County has made several notable contributions to the area of higher education. The origins of Alabama's first state- chartered college are in the

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county. The Methodist Church established LaGrange College there in 1830. The first graduate, J.D. Malone, was a native of nearby Limestone County. In 1855, the college relocated to Florence, Lauderdale County. In 1974, it was renamed the University of North Alabama. John Nooe, the first graduate of the University of Alabama, was a son of Franklin County. Russellville native Luther Noble Duncan served as Auburn president from 1935 until his death in 1947.

In 1881, 25 residents of Franklin County organized Alabama's first chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. Members of the group had previously attended meetings of the order in neighboring Mississippi. Alabama Charity Chapter 1 received its charter a decade thereafter. When a fire destroyed the original lodge, located in Burleson, it relocated to Vina and then Red Bay. The oldest marked grave in Franklin County is that of Maj. James Dorman, a veteran of the War of 1812, who died on April 11, 1819.

Erected 2017 by Alabama Historical Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers

Franklin -- A County Older than the State Marker - Reverse Side image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, 2022

2. Franklin -- A County Older than the State Marker - Reverse Side

• War of 1812 • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1818.

Location. 34° 30.46′ N, 87° 43.532′ W. Marker is in Russellville, Alabama, in Franklin County. It is at the intersection of East Limestone Street and Carroll Ave N, on the right when traveling west on East Limestone Street. Marker is located in front of the Franklin County Archives. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 East Limestone Street, Russellville AL 35653, 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 the crow flies: History of Russellville (approx. 0.2 miles away); Russellville First Baptist Church

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(approx. ¼ mile away); Historic Roxy Theatre (approx. ¼ mile away); Russellville (approx. 0.3 miles away); Reedtown High School (approx. one mile away); Ascension (approx. 1.2 miles away); Birth of a Town (approx. 1.9 miles away); Cedar Creek Furnace (approx. 2.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Russellville.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 3, 2025, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. This page has been viewed 145 times since then and 84 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 3, 2025, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide view photo of the marker and the surrounding area together in context. • Can you help?