Russell County is located in the heart of Southwest Virginia, and its history goes back to the founding of America itself. In 1786, the County was established by carving out a section of Washington County, and was named for Colonel William Russell, who had a hand in the original draft of the Declaration of Independence. Shortly thereafter, the first Government was established in present-day Castlewood, but it was later decided to erect a permanent courthouse in Lebanon. That Courthouse still stands today. 

The area that became Russell County contained about 3000 square miles or 1.9 million acres. The boundary lines extended northward from Clinch Mountain to Cumberland Gap on the Kentucky border and eastward to a point near present Bluefield, Virginia. In 1790, the population of the county was 3,338, which included 190 slaves.  Over the next hundred years, Russell County gave birth to the surrounding counties of Wise, Lee, Tazewell and Scott. 

Today, more than 30,000 people call the 447 scenic square miles of Russell County home. Every year, thousands of visitors come to see the numerous historic sites, fish the clear waters, hike the trails that wind through the gentle mountains, and find out why Russell County truly is the “Heart of Southwest Virginia”.