Industrialist and philanthropist John J. Eagan donated the land for the school, provided the school was named after his uncle, the late William A. Russell a Confederate general.
[1] At the time of its closing, Russell was the oldest school in the Fulton County system.
The schools were merged due to declining populations, and the aging of the communities as North Fulton was exploding with growth at the time.
This was done to satisfy the Russell family, and a memorial placard stands on Harris Street near the auditorium.
Russell High School was built in the shape of an "R" with the two "legs" made up of covered walkways headed towards the gymnasium and technical education shop buildings, which contain drafting, wood, metal, and woodworking classes.