Russell County | US Courthouses

Russell County is named for Gilbert C Russell, who was an officer during the Creek War.

Surrounding County Courthouses:

N – Lee County

E – Muscogee County, Georgia, Chattahoochee County, Georgia and Stewart County, Georgia

S – Barbour County

W – Bullock County and Macon County

Created: December 18, 1832

County Seat:

Girard 1832 – 1834

Crawford 1834 – 1868

Seale 1868 – 1934

Phenix City 1934 – present

County Judicial Center – Phenix City

Location: 501 14th Street / Broad Street

Built: 1938 – 1939

Style: Classical Revival

Architect: James J W Biggers

Contractor: Murphey Pound

Description: The building faces north and is a three story red colored brick, stone and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds on the north side of the center of Phenix City. The north front has a porch with four large columns rising to a pediment at the roof line. The center section rises above the east and west wings which have flat roofs. The courtrooms are located on the third story. The building houses the County Circuit Court and the County District Court of the 26th Judicial District. An addition was added to the east side in 1949. The architect was James J W Biggers & Associates and the contractor was J D Stillwell. The building was renovated in 2010. The contractor was Denson Construction of Columbus, Georgia. In 2011, a new four story red colored brick and concrete addition was constructed on the south side. The architect was Hect, Burdeshaw Architects Inc. and the contractor was MWC Construction.

County Courthouse / Government Building – Phenix City

Location: 1000 Broad Street / Dillingham Street

Built: 1994 – 1995

Style: Modern

Architect: Unknown

Contractor: Whiting-Turner Contracting Company.

Description: The building faces west and is a two story red colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on spacious landscaped grounds in the center of Phenix City. The west front has a projecting central portico rising to a green colored roof. The first story windows are arched. A wide cream colored band runs along the roof line. The building houses the County Probate Court. The building was formerly the Mead Building and was converted in 2007 to 2008 into the Russell County Courthouse / Government Center. The architect was Mike Hamrick of Goodwyn Mills Cawood and the contractor was Ben B Gordy Construction.

Old Post Office ( Temporary Courthouse ) – Phenix City

Location: 502 14th Street / Broad Street

Built: 1938 – 1939

Style: Classical Revival

Architect: Louis Simon

Contractor: Neal A Melick. ( Engineer )

Description: The building faces south and is a one story red colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on spacious landscaped grounds to the north of the center of Phenix City and on the north side of the courthouse. The south front has a central white colored frame entrance. The roof is hipped. There is a large mural “Cotton” by Kelly Fitzgerald in the interior. The building was constructed as a Post Office. In 1964, it was renovated as the Russell County Library. The architect was Hogencamp and Johnson and the contractor was William s Construction. The building served as a temporary courthouse in 2010 to 2011 when the courthouse was being renovated.

Old County Courthouse – Seale

Location: Courthouse Square

Built: 1871 – 1872

Style: Greek Revival

Architect: John Lewis

Contractor: Simeon O’Neal

Description: The building faces west and is a three story red colored brick structure. The building is located on spacious grounds in the center of Seale. The west front has a large portico with four white colored columns rising to a pediment at the roof line. Above the windows are stone headers. The roof is hipped. The building was enlarged in 1908 with an addition on the east side. The architect was Frank Lockwood and the contractor was E C Seiz.

History: The county was created in 1832 and Girard was selected as the county seat. The first courthouse was a storehouse in Girard. The county seat was moved to Crawford ( Crocketsville ) in 1834 and a brick courthouse was built in 1842 as the second courthouse. The courthouse became a church in 1868 and was demolished in 1901. In 1868, the county seat was moved to Seale. The third courthouse was built in 1871. In 1926, Phenix City became the second county seat and in 1934, Phenix City became the sole county seat. The fourth and present courthouse was constructed in 1938 to 1939.