Franklin, Tennessee is a small city and county seat of Williamson County, Tennessee. Located about 21 miles south of Nashville, it sits at the very heart of Tennessee, almost in the exact center of the state. Franklin is considered to be one of the principal cities of the greater Nashville metropolitan area.
History
The city of Franklin was founded in 1799 by State Senator Abram Maury, Jr. He named the town after a very prominent statesman who played a significant role in the independence of our country, Benjamin Franklin.
During the American Civil War, the Battle of Franklin was fought in November of 1864. There were approximately 10,000 casualties as a result of the conflict. The defeat at Franklin had a devastating effect on the Confederate Army. Confederate General John Bell Hood’s Army of Tennessee conducted numerous assaults upon Union fortified positions and was unable to break through or overpower the Union forces. For the Civil War buffs among us, this historic Battle of Franklin was equated to the disastrous results of Pickett’s Charge in the Battle of Gettysburg, even deeming the event the “Pickett’s Charge of the West.”
Forty-four buildings in the city of Franklin were used to treat the wounded and 3 of those buildings, the Carter, Carton and the Lotz historic homes are still part of the modern landscape of Franklin. Franklin is a city that is well versed in its history. In 2009 Franklin was named a Top Ten Great Neighborhood by the American Planning Association for its outstanding historic character and architecture.
All About Franklin
Approximately, 68,000 people call Franklin home. The size of the average household is 2.55 people and the average family size is 3.09. The median age is 39 years. The median family income is $101,300. The median home cost is $336,000. The cost of living in Franklin sits at 127 which is higher than the national average of 100.
The unemployment rate is less than 5.0%. Some of the biggest employers in Franklin are CoolSprings Galleria, Community Health Systems, Williamson Medical Center, Nissan North America, Verizon, Optum, Healthways and Progeny Marketing Innovations.
There are excellent public schools in Franklin and an additional 10 private schools as well. Five universities and colleges reside in Franklin: Belmont University, Columbia State Community College, O’More College of Design, University of Phoenix, and Williamson College.
Franklin is a primary location for businesses, dining, shopping and many Fortune 500 companies. And, Franklin has received a plethora of awards over the past few years – Best Southern Town, Most Romantic Main St., Top 10 for Historic Preservation, One of the Best Cities for Startups, Best Places to Live, Top Ten Community for Job Growth, “Money Magazine’s” Top 10 Places to Retire, Great American Main Street Award, Number One Small Town in Tennessee, Five National Registration Historic Districts, #10 for New Jobs Created in America and projects to be 3rd in America for New Jobs over the next Twenty Years and One of Five Best Places to shop for Antiques, just to name a few. Obviously, America Unraveled is not the only one to think this small city is well worth a visit.
Entertainment in Franklin
If you want to be entertained and to see a show, the Franklin Theatre is the place to go. It is a lovely historic theater that has been beautifully restored. Or if music is your passion, you need to head to the Americana Music Association. The Association promotes “American Roots” music in this country and around the world. Each year the Association puts on the Americana Music Festival which includes more than 200 performances at many venues in and around Franklin.
For a sense of Southern charm, head for the Carter House and Carnton Plantation. Both historic sites are open daily and will function as a jumping off point for gaining an understanding of Franklin’s long history. Taking a Franklin Battlefield Tour you will give you the chance to visit The Carter House, which was utilized as a hospital during the Battle of Franklin.
Want a scenic view that is literally out of this world? Then you need to take the drive across the very unique and artistic Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge. Crossing the Bridge is an unforgettable experience by itself. The Parkway is 444 miles in length and serves as a designated bicycle route as well as a scenic drive. Vistas exist along the entire span of the parkway.
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