Russell County Alabama
Russell County Alabama
Russell County Alabama, located in the southeastern part of the state, is a county of Alabama. Russell County, known as “The County of Forts,” because of the many forts that once existed within the county’s boundaries, including Fort Mitchell, Sand Fort, Fort Bainbridge, and a small portion of present-day Fort Benning (most of which is in Georgia). was established by an act of the state general assembly on December 18, 1832, from lands ceded to the state by the Creek Indians, however, the final geographical boundaries did not exist until 1932.
Russell County Alabama History:
Early settlement of Russell County as well as other parts of Alabama followed the establishment of Fort Mitchell. The fort was constructed by Georgia militia in 1813 during the Creek Indian War of 1813-14 to provide military protection for non-Indian expansion into Native American lands. As of the 2010 census, the population was 52,947. Its county seat is Phenix City, Alabama. Its name is in honor of Colonel Gilbert C. Russell, who fought in the wars against the Creek Indians. The county seat has changed several times: Girard (1833–1839), Crawford originally Crockettsville (1839–1868), Seale (1868–1935) and Phenix City (1935–present). In 1926, Russell County established dual county seats in Seale and Phenix City. The two towns shared administrative duties until 1934, when Phenix City became the sole county seat.
Russell County is known as the “County of Forts,” because of the many forts that once existed within its boundaries, including Fort Mitchell, Fort Apalachicola, Sand Fort, Fort Bainbridge, and a small portion of present-day Fort Benning (most of which is in Georgia).
According to Encyclopedia of Alabama:
The first permanent settlement in Russell County, established in 1830, was Glennville Beat. Other early settlements and towns included Cottonton, Uchee, Sandfort, Hatchechubbee, Crawford, Hurtsboro, and Girard. The Battle of Girard, which took place on April 16, 1865, was the last land battle of the Civil War. It was fought one week after Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, because of the slow pace of communication. The action ended when Union forces under Gen. James H. Wilson captured the two bridges connecting Girard to Columbus, Georgia, thus gaining access to the entire state of Georgia.
Russell County Alabama Cities:
Phenix City Alabama
Phenix City gained national renown, including being featured in the Hollywood film The Phenix City Story, when politician and attorney Albert L. Patterson was murdered for his efforts to clean up organized crime in the city.
East Alabama Motor Speedway
The East Alabama Motor Speedway in Phenix City hosts six classes of championship stock-car racing every Saturday night from March to October. Special events include demolition derbies, fireworks, and sprint-car races.
4238 US-80, Phenix City, AL 36870
(334) 297-2594
Russell County Alabama Towns:
Hurtsboro Alabama
Hurtsboro is a town in Russell County.It was founded in 1857 as Hurtsville and named for Joel Hurt, Sr. A railroad spur from Columbus, Georgia was completed the next year. It was incorporated in 1872 and in 1883 the town name was changed to Hurtsboro.
Russell County Alabama Communities:
Ladonia Alabama
Ladonia Alabama is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Russell County. At the 2010 census the population was 3,142.
Ladonia Alabama Zip Codes
Ladonia Alabama zip codes are 36869 and 36870.
Cottonton Alabama
Cottonton is an unincorporated community in Russell County. Cottonton is located along County Route 4 near Alabama State Route 165, 11.8 miles south-southeast of Seale Alabama. Cottonton has a post office with ZIP code 36851.
Crawford Alabama
Crawford Alabama is an unincorporated community in Russell County. Crawford is located at the junction of U.S. Route 80 and Alabama State Route 169, 6.5 miles west of Ladonia. It was the second county seat of Russell County from 1839-1868 before it removed to Seale.
Fort MItchell Alabama
Glenville Alabama
Glennville was the first permanent community in what is today Russell County. It was founded in 1835, after the Muscogee removal, by Methodist preacher James Elizabeth Glenn. Glenville is an unincorporated community in Russell County, which used to be in Barbour County. During the Civil War, Company “H” of the 15th Regiment Alabama Infantry was raised from Barbour and Dale counties and called the “Glenville Guards”.
Editor’s Note: More information o the 15th Alabama Infantry Regiment
Hatchechubbee Alabama
Hatchechubbee Alabama is an unincorporated community in Russell County. Hatchechubbee is located at the junction of Alabama State Route 26 and County Route 65, 6.5 miles west-southwest of Seale.
Hatchechubbee Alabama Zip Code
Hatchechubbee has a post office with ZIP code 36858, which opened on August 17, 1855.
Holy Trinity Alabama
Holy Trinity is an unincorporated community in Russell County. Its elevation is 312 feet, and it is located at 32°13′21″N 85°0′19″W. It is about 20 miles south of Columbus, Georgia on State Route 165.
Holy Trinity Alabama Zip Code
A post office is located in the community with zip code 36856.
Hooks Alabama
Hooks is an unincorporated community in Russell County. Hooks was named after John J. Hooks, the first postmaster. The post office was established in 1893, and remained in operation until it was discontinued in 1915.
Pittsview Alabama
Pittsview Alabama, at one time known as Pittsboro, is an unincorporated community in Russell County.
Pittsview Alabama Zip Code
36871
Seale Alabama
Seale is an unincorporated community in Russell County. It was the county seat from 1868 until 1935. The former Russell County courthouse, built in 1868, is located in the town. Before the town of Seale was ever established, settlers from Georgia began to build settlements in this area of Russell County due to its proximity to the Old Federal Road. As early as 1842, there was a community present here which attended a “preaching place” known as Glenn Chapel. Seale itself was originally an unincorporated community known as Silver Run, established sometime in the early 1850s.
Uchee Alabama
Russell County Alabama Historic Destinations:
Apalachicola Fort Site
Fort Mitchell Museum*
Fort Mitchell
Chattahoochee Indian Heritage Center
Fort Mitchell
Russell County Alabama Weblinks