Local History

Russell County courthouse

Russell County was formed in 1786 out of Washington County. Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise Counties were later formed in whole or in part from Russell County. The Local History Room at the Lebanon Library has an extensive collection containing local history and authors as well as extensive genealogical material. There is also a small local history collection available at the Honaker Library. The information below may assist you in conducting genealogical research.

A digital archive that includes school, church, and business records

Castlewood—School photos collected by Mary Hall, 1950-2000

Cleveland—Records of Pvt. Calvin Hawkins, KIA, 1950

Honaker—Lockhart business records, 1905-1925 (local dentist)

Lebanon—Lebanon Parent-Teacher Association minutes, 1928-1950; RCPL Scrapbook, 1989

Minutes of the Union Association of Old Regular Baptists of Jesus Christ, 1963-1972

Russell County Women’s Club scrapbook, 1968-1970

Russell County Bicentennial scrapbook and records, 1986

Newspaper obituaries collected by Carl Ray, 1990-2000

Russell County local history lesson plans, 1992

Ancestry is available inside the library only.

Includes digitized yearbooks, and newspapers, plus Russell County GenWeb

The Local History Room at the Lebanon Library has an extensive collection containing local history and authors as well as extensive genealogical material. There is also a small local history collection available at the Honaker Library. You can use the card catalog to search our local history collection.

If we don’t have what you’re looking for, you can also try the Russell County courthouse.

We sponsor an annual essay contest where writers identify and sing the praises of women who they think should be included in the Hall of Fame.

Still stumped? If you’d like an answer to a straightforward, factual question a volunteer can help.