City of Franklin history

In 1805, Franklin became home to one of the first four post offices in Warren County.

Named for Benjamin Franklin, the community was incorporated as a village in 1814.

Completed in 1826, this building served many purposes over its nearly 200-year history beyond a Masonic Hall, including Civil War military barracks, President Andrew Jackson’s relocation treaty negotiation with the Chickasaw Nation, church meetings, the Williamson County fair, and much more.

Slowly, Franklin grew and with the completion of the Miami & Erie Canal (which ran from Toledo to Cincinnati) through the village in 1829, the first industries were established.

In 1830, Fountain Branch Carter built a brick farmhouse just south of downtown Franklin for his small family.

His younger brother, Robert C. Schenck, acquired the reputation of being one of the ablest speakers in the Whig party in the 1840 Presidential campaign.

Fort Granger, built in 1862 by Union troops as a federal post and signaling station, is accessible by short hike from Franklin’s Pinkerton Park.

On November 30, 1864, Carnton was witness to one of the bloodiest battles of the entire Civil War.

By 1872, the railroad had expanded and came through Franklin itself.

By 1895, the national recession had also hit Franklin, causing several local factories to close.

1900 through World War IITennessee since the mid-20th century

The Harding Museum was built as a private residence in 1901 in the Colonia Revival style by Lilly and Clarence Harding.

While the railroad’s expansion into Franklin was the death knell for the Miami-Erie Canal (which was officially abandoned in 1909), it did facilitate shipping for Franklin’s industries and manufacturing grew.

Sadly, the 1913 flood devastated much of Franklin.

Built circa 1929, The historic Factory is a complex of 11 depression-era factory buildings that have been renovated into one of Tennessee’s most unique shopping, dining, and entertainment venues.

In 1934, work began on narrowing the channel of the canal, and the canal bed began to be filled in.

Franklin is an amazing destination for history buffs! From incredible historic homes at the center of the Battle of Franklin to the iconic Franklin Theatre built in 1937, you’ll love exploring our historic town.

Feeling the pressure from the growing popularity of the passenger car, the tracks that ran down the middle of Main Street were removed in 1940.

As with much of this part of Ohio, Franklin re-built itself over time, gaining city status in 1951.

State Route 73 was begun in 1955 and relieved much of the congestion on Main Street by offering a four-lane divided highway between Franklin and Middletown.

Then, in 1960, Interstate 75, also then known the Dayton - Cincinnati Freeway, opened and replaced United States Route 25.

Preserving History The Franklin Area Historical Society was founded in 1964.

The grounds were finally sold in 1968.

In 1970, the Harding family donated the house to the Franklin Area Historical Society.

The Harding Museum opened to the public in 1972, housing village council and township records, business and organization files, family Bibles, and an extensive collection of military memorabilia, including Justin Harding’s jurist notes from the Nuremburg Trials.

In 1974 the Society relocated and restored Franklin’s first post office.

The population, which had dropped to 12,407 in 1980, has grown five-fold since then.

Franklin continued to move forward and in 1983, the residents of the City voted in the City’s first Charter.

Franklin became a charter municipality on January 1, 1984.

In 2008, Franklin partnered with the Warren County Economic Development Office and Good Enterprises to establish Franklin Yards Logistics Park.

In all subsequent censuses, Franklin’s population has continued to grow, standing at 11,771 as of the 2010 census.