Phenix City Alabama

Phenix City is a city in Lee and Russell Counties and is the county seat of Russell County Alabama. The population is 32,822.

On August 9, 1923, Russell County’s neighboring Girard (which made up most of current downtown Phenix City) and Lee County’s Phenix City formally merged, keeping the name of Phenix City. Because the consolidated city still remained divided into two counties, in 1932, the Lee County portion was moved entirely into Russell County (also cited for the redraw was to account for population shifts involved in the Auburn University opening and expansion). Lee County received the rural segment centered on Marvyn as compensation, which was formerly in Russell County’s northwest corner.In 1926, the Russell County portion of Phenix City was designated the second county seat (the seat from 1868 had been at rural Seale). In 1934/35, Phenix City then became sole county seat.

Although Alabama is legally in the Central Time Zone, Phenix City’s proximity to the larger city of Columbus, Georgia causes Phenix City (including its municipal government) and areas within a 10-15 mile radius (such as Smiths Station) to observe Eastern Time on a de facto basis.

The last true battle of the Civil War took place in Phenix City, then known as Girard.

Editor’s Note: Girard, Alabama was a city in the far north-east corner of Russell County, Alabama across the Chattahoochee River from Columbus, Georgia. From 1832–1839 Girard was the first county seat of Russell County. It was incorporated around 1833. In 1923  Gkirard merged with Phenix City.