Photo courtesy of Russell Medical
Hidden in Alabama’s history is the story of an entrepreneur named Benjamin Russell. Alexander City attracted the Russell family as merchants in the early 1880s, proving just prosperous enough to send Benjamin Russell to the University of Virginia. He graduated in 1899 with a degree in law and practiced in Birmingham for a few months before returning to Alex City in 1900 to take over the family business after his father suffered a stroke. Here, young Benjamin acquired his first taste in the business world and founded the Citizen’s Bank of Alexander City, known today as the Valley Bank System. In 1902, Russell undertook two major projects. His first consisted of the area’s first telephone service, a construction running from Sylacauga to Dadeville, all operated by a switchboard in the basement of the Citizen’s Bank. Russell later sold the company to Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph for $15,250 in 1904. The boost in income from the deal fueled the expansion of his second project known as Russell Mills, a soon-to-be bustling apparel company. Benjamin Russell’s trailblazing spirit would prove instrumental in shaping the lives of local families and private sector of the entire state.
Photograph courtesy of Russell Medical To keep his machines and companies running, Russell needed electricity. He founded Industries Light and Power Company in 1911 and sold the upstart to Thomas Martin’s Alabama Power a year later, striking a deal to receive electricity straight from the soon-to-be Martin Dam. The close business relationship formed between Martin and Russell would result in over 880 miles of newly formed lakefront property being sold to Russell. Following his acquisition, Russell would make it his life goal to prevent erosion from the lake’s formation and planted thousands of acres of timberland, part of which is now known as Wind Creek State Park. This mass of land, in conjunction with the area’s abundance of new power, provided the perfect conditions for an economic boom even in the midst of the Great Depression.
During a time where Alabama was the seventh poorest state in the nation, Russell facilitated growth in Tallapoosa County comparable to the state’s few economic hubs. Russell Mills grew to encompass a 350-home “mill village.” To support his community, Russell continued to expand by constructing churches, markets, schools, a cotton mill, a waterworks system, and a grocery store. Among other public services, he established a local hospital now known as Russell Medical, a multi- complex facility and a proud affiliate of UAB Health Services. Russell’s charisma and ability to encourage economic growth amid a national depression propelled his legacy across the state as an entrepreneur who could strike a deal with any man willing to listen. He set out to test this theory and visited every county in the state, determined to be a driving force in the creation of the Alabama State Chamber of Commerce in 1937, where he served as president for 3 years until his death. The humanitarian works of Russell are felt statewide today, but his largest impact still remains with the entirety of Tallapoosa County.
Following his death in December 1941, the Russell family decided to close many of the businesses started by “Mr. Ben,” the endearing nickname given to him by locals. The remaining businesses formed into the Russell Corporation and rose to prominence as a Fortune 500 company with over $1.25 billion in assets and sales with close to 18,000 international employees. His family also followed his philanthropic works closely to honor his legacy. Today, the Russell Foundation Scholarship provides millions in scholarships and grants to local students. The Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children, a branch of Children’s of Alabama in Birmingham, bears his name after a $25 million donation by his grandson. A hidden gem of Alabama history, Benjamin Russell remains a prominent cornerstone in our state’s legacy.
Additional Information:
During a time where Alabama was the seventh poorest state in the nation, Russell facilitated growth in Tallapoosa County comparable to the state’s few economic hubs. Russell Mills grew to encompass a 350-home “mill village.” To support his community, Russell continued to expand by constructing churches, markets, schools, a cotton mill, a waterworks system, and a grocery store. Among other public services, he established a local hospital now known as Russell Medical, a multi- complex facility and a proud affiliate of UAB Health Services. Russell’s charisma and ability to encourage economic growth amid a national depression propelled his legacy across the state as an entrepreneur who could strike a deal with any man willing to listen. He set out to test this theory and visited every county in the state, determined to be a driving force in the creation of the Alabama State Chamber of Commerce in 1937, where he served as president for 3 years until his death. The humanitarian works of Russell are felt statewide today, but his largest impact still remains with the entirety of Tallapoosa County.
Following his death in December 1941, the Russell family decided to close many of the businesses started by “Mr. Ben,” the endearing nickname given to him by locals. The remaining businesses formed into the Russell Corporation and rose to prominence as a Fortune 500 company with over $1.25 billion in assets and sales with close to 18,000 international employees. His family also followed his philanthropic works closely to honor his legacy. Today, the Russell Foundation Scholarship provides millions in scholarships and grants to local students. The Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children, a branch of Children’s of Alabama in Birmingham, bears his name after a $25 million donation by his grandson. A hidden gem of Alabama history, Benjamin Russell remains a prominent cornerstone in our state’s legacy.
Additional Information:
- The History of Benjamin Russell and Russell Lands: https://www.russelllandshistory.com/index.html
- Children’s of Alabama History: https://www.childrensal.org/History
Author
Skyler Oliver is a freshman studying bioinformatics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He was born in Alexander City where he lived until beginning his studies in Birmingham. When not in class, he enjoys gaming and experimenting with music.
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