La Russell is located in the valley of the Spring River, adjacent to the Jasper-Lawrence county line.

[6] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.34 square miles (0.88 km2), all land.

[8] This had been the hunting grounds of the Osage Indians who were known to have camped at nearby Spring River, a short distance north of present-day La Russell.

Although La Russell itself was founded in 1903 because of the railroad, early settlers at this location were among the first in the county dating back to the 1830s.

The Cave Springs School also served as a church and a military headquarters for the Enrolled Missouri Militia (Union) during the Civil War.

The La Russell Water Pump (circa 1904), conspicuously located in the middle of the road on Main Street, is a local cultural icon which dates back to the early beginnings of the town.

An even earlier community water well is documented to have existed about two blocks south from the present one (before La Russell was founded), also located in the center of the road until it was replaced at the beginning of the 20th century.

The concrete base for the present pump was constructed by the town August 5, 1907 and shows damage from vehicle collisions that occurred over the past century because of its odd location in the center of the street.

Due to increased accidents it has also been at the center of controversy in modern times as being a safety hazard, though many townspeople have fought against its removal because it is considered an historical landmark in La Russell.

The debate continues to the present time, and this old beloved hand pump is traditionally decorated by locals during the Christmas holidays each year.

The motto Viva La Russell has become a rallying cry for the protection of the pump and emblematic of the town itself.