Old Russell County Courthouse/Russell County Courthouse - Seale, Alabama
Posted by: 
Markerman62
N 32° 17.895 W 085° 10.060
16S E 672523 N 3574969
Located in front of the building at Jackson Street and Longview Street, Seale
Waymark Code: WM15W8K
Location: Alabama, United States
Date Posted: 03/07/2022
Views: 1
OLD RUSSELL COUNTY COURTHOUSE
During the Federal occupation of the former Confederate States of America, the Alabama Legislature created Lee County primarily from the northern half of Russell County in 1866 and ordered the selection of the county seat "more centrally located." Government in Russell County was practically non-existent at the time; few records were kept and taxes levied only for favored political purposes. An election was called; Seale won. Simeon O'Neal and Cicero McBride selected this commanding site. John Lewis was architect.
RUSSELL COUNTY COURTHOUSE
Political opportunists kept confusion reigning; another election was held in 1868; Seale won; excavation began; records were removed from the former county seat at Crawford to a nearby store until rooms were sufficiently complete. Permanent funding was not enacted until 1871, the total cost being $9,600.00. Simeon O'Neal was the contractor. The wing rooms, the inside stairs, and exterior rebricking was accomplished in 1908. In 1935 the branch at Phenix City was elected the county seat with Seale remaining a branch until it was closed in 1943.
Marker Name: Old Russell County Courthouse /Russell County Courthouse
Marker Type: Urban
Addtional Information::
Erected by The Historic Chattahoochee Commission and The Old Russell County Courthouse Association
Date Dedicated / Placed: 1984
Marker Number: Not listed
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