Frankfort in Franklin County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Town of Frankfort
Franklin County
Photographed by Billy Clemmons
1. Town of Frankfort Franklin County Marker
Inscription.
Town of Frankfort. Franklin County. In an August 1848 election, citizens chose the center of Franklin County as the new county seat. Since no town existed in the center of the county, the state legislature incorporated the town of Frankfort, and it became the county seat in 1849. Five men were appointed to organize the town: James T. Chisum, John Miller, Charles Womble, Claiborne W. Townsend, and Partain Burgess. The area was surveyed, lots were sold, and the first buildings constructed were the courthouse and jail. It is believed that the bricks used in the construction of the courthouse and jail were locally made. In early 1850, a post office named Courthouse was established. On August 13, 1850, John Miller was appointed the first postmaster. The post office name changed to Frankfort on April 22, 1852, and remained opened until 1909. Tuscumbia attorney L.B. Thornton wrote that in February 1862 Union forces had destroyed the records of the different courts and took $5,000 from the County Treasurer in Frankfort. Frankfort remained the county seat until 1879 when another election was held and the county seat was moved to Belgreen. Although Frankfort does not exist as it once did, it remains a small rural community.
In an August 1848 election, citizens chose the center of Franklin County as the new county seat. Since no town existed in the center of the county, the state legislature incorporated the town of Frankfort, and it became the county seat in 1849. Five men were appointed to organize the town: James T. Chisum, John Miller, Charles Womble, Claiborne W. Townsend, and Partain Burgess. The area was surveyed, lots were sold, and the first buildings constructed were the courthouse and jail. It is believed that the bricks used in the construction of the courthouse and jail were locally made. In early 1850, a post office named Courthouse was established. On August 13, 1850, John Miller was appointed the first postmaster. The post office name changed to Frankfort on April 22, 1852, and remained opened until 1909. Tuscumbia attorney L.B. Thornton wrote that in February 1862 Union forces had destroyed the records of the different courts and took $5,000 from the County Treasurer in Frankfort. Frankfort remained the county seat until 1879 when another election was held and the county seat was moved to Belgreen. Although Frankfort does not exist as it once did, it remains a small rural community.
• War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.
Location. 34° 33.766′ N, 87° 50.434′ W. Marker is in Frankfort, Alabama, in Franklin County. It is at the intersection of Jones Cemetery Road (County Road 58) and County Route 49, on the right when traveling south on Jones Cemetery Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 11, 2023, by Billy Clemmons of Florence, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,044 times since then and 63 times this year. Last updated on November 7, 2025, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. Photos:1. submitted on February 11, 2023, by Billy Clemmons of Florence, Alabama. 2. submitted on November 7, 2025, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
