Analysis of information sources in references of the Wikipedia article "Russellville, Arkansas" in English language version.
The Indians left behind them many well-cultivated farms and substantial dwellings. White settlers moved onto the land and occupied the improvements. Many even purchased the land and improvements from the departing Cherokees, who, of course, had no right to sell them.
According to May Russell, the doctor bought the first house on the present site of Russellville. This was a one-and-a-half-story hand-hewn loghouse that stood until 1898 on what is now the corner of Main and Houston Streets. The house was built in 1834 by J. C. Holledger.
The Indians left behind them many well-cultivated farms and substantial dwellings. White settlers moved onto the land and occupied the improvements. Many even purchased the land and improvements from the departing Cherokees, who, of course, had no right to sell them.
According to May Russell, the doctor bought the first house on the present site of Russellville. This was a one-and-a-half-story hand-hewn loghouse that stood until 1898 on what is now the corner of Main and Houston Streets. The house was built in 1834 by J. C. Holledger.
A board of trustees for the Second District Agricultural School had been appointed by September 1909 and tasked with finding a location for the school as well as the construction of school buildings, hiring of staff, and development of curriculum. In order to be considered as a site for the school, towns had to pledge at least $40,000 and 200 acres. Fort Smith, Morrilton, Ozark, and Russellville all submitted bids. Russellville's bid included $40,000, 220 acres, and free electricity and water for three years, and on February 10, 1910, the trustees announced that the Second District Agricultural School would be located there.
The situation is most beautiful, being a small prairie, dotted all over with nice little groves of trees.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)At the close of the war Mr. Jake Shinn returned home in 1847. He had saved his wages and opened up a small store; pointing west opposite to Mr. Hugh Wells. Shortly afterwards a number of neighbors from the settlement of the prairie casually met, and the question of a name for the town arose and the subject was discussed pro and con. Mr. Shinn's friends claimed the name upon the ground of his having the first store, Mr. Russell's for occupying the first house. The vote was taken and the result was the town was named Russellville.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)In search of a new home and a milder climate, he came to Arkansas, and located in the Arkansas River Valley, A. D. 1835, one year prior to the admission of the State into the Union.
About the year 1842, when but a small hamlet, this place was named, by a majority vote of its citizens, Russellville, in honor of Doctor Thomas Russell, who was at the time one of the principal landowners, and a prominent citizen.
Leave Washington every Saturday at 6 a. m., arrive at Russellville every Monday by 6 p.m.... Leave Russellville every Tuesday at 6 a.m., arrive at Washington every Thursday by 6 p.m.
Leave Camden every other Friday at 6 a. m., arrive at Russellville next Sunday by 6 p.m.... Leave Russellville every other Monday at 6 a.m., arrive at Washington next Wednesday by 6 p.m.
This property is listed in the National Register of Historic Places in accordance with the attached nomination documentation...
It is said that at a town picnic on July 4, 1847, it was decided that the new settlement which consisted of a general store and five houses should be given a name. They determined the name should be either Russellville, after Dr. Thomas Russell, largely because he had the first home with brick chimneys and was a doctor, or Shinnville, after Jacob L. Shinn, who established the first general store in the settlement. The results of the election to name the town were seven votes for Russellville and only five for Shinnville.
On the night of January 16, 1906 a fire destroyed nearly half of the downtown business district. The fire included both sides of Commerce Street from Main to "B" Street. Ironically, Russellville had just formed a fire department and ordered fire-fighting equipment, all of which had not arrived. The newly formed fire department, insufficiently organized, was helpless to contain the ravaging fire which, fueled by strong winds, spread to the north side of Main Street from Commerce. In less than three hours, twenty-three buildings were destroyed. The estimated loss was $250,000 of which only 40% was insured. In addition to the loss of the buildings and their stock, many of the citizens of Russellville who worked in the businesses abruptly lost their jobs. Those early businessmen of Russellville immediately set about re-building the downtown and, remarkably, within six months, twenty of the twenty-three buildings lost in the fire had been rebuilt." "As a result of the disastrous fire and the determination of the city's businessmen to rebuild, in less than two years Russellville emerged from the disaster a larger and stronger city with blocks lined with new brick business buildings.
... the Mayor and City Council of the City of Russellville, Arkansas, are of the opinion that the present system or manner in which our streets are named and our houses numbered is inadequate, to the present and future needs of this City.