First known as Russell's Valley, the area was settled after 1815 by Maj. William Russell, who had served with Gen. Andrew Jackson in the Creek War of 1813-1814. Russell built a cabin and trading post about three miles east of the present-day town, but after an outbreak of disease the settlement moved to Jackson's Military Road, a strategic route from Nashville to New Orleans. The Alabama Territorial Legislature incorporated the town as Russellville on November 27, 1819. Its layout was planned by the five trustees of the Russellville Land Company—David Moore, Anthony Winston, Brice M. Garner, George Martin, and Richard Ellis—who created a large public square bounded by Jackson, Lawrence, Washington, and Franklin streets. Henry Hurst built the courthouse and jail in the center of the square. Trustees governed the town through much of its early history, with William Lewis, Walter Otley, Nat Clay, Humphrey Warren, and Arthur F. Hopkins serving as the first trustees. In 1887, Russellville adopted a mayor-council form of government. The town was the seat of Franklin County from 1820 to 1849 and again from 1891 onward.