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Franklin, OH

Frequently asked questions

Franklin, OH

Franklin is a city in Warren County, Ohio, United States, along the Great Miami River. The population was 11,690 at the 2020 census. The city lies about 15 miles (24 km) southwest of Dayton and 33.5 miles (53.9 km) northeast of Cincinnati. Ohio State Routes 73, 123, and 741 pass through Franklin, while Interstate 75 is routed to the east side of the city.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.34 square miles (24.19 km²), of which 9.17 square miles (23.75 km²) is land and 0.17 square miles (0.44 km²) is water.

Franklin was founded by General William C. Schenck, in 1796. The settlement was named for Benjamin Franklin. Franklin was incorporated in 1814 and became a city in 1951. One of the first four post offices in Warren County was established in Franklin in 1805. The first postmaster was John N.C. Schenck, brother of General Schenck. The Franklin Post Office still stands (in a different location), and is one of four sites in Franklin listed on the National Register of Historic Places, along with the Mackinaw Historic District.

Construction of the Miami and Erie Canal occurred between 1825 and 1845. The canal followed the Great Miami River through Franklin, and the boat traffic led to new commerce. The town soon had a pork slaughterhouse, barrel-making factory, sawmill, and whiskey distillery. Franklin's first mayor, Dr. Absalom Death, was elected at a tavern meeting in 1837. Dr. Death went on to be the director of a medical college in Cincinnati. In its history, two doctors in Franklin have been named "Dr. Death".

By the 1850s, the Franklin area was noted for breeding racehorses. One chestnut-colored mare, Nightingale, sired by Mambrino and Wood's Hambletonian, set a 3-mile harness racing record of 6:55½ in 1893. A railroad was completed with a depot in Franklin in 1872. The town continued to prosper, and by 1890, five paper mills were located in Franklin. The town's economy suffered a setback in 1896 when Franklin's only bank crashed. A longtime and trusted teller had embezzled vast amounts of money, affecting the fortunes of many individuals and businesses.

The town marshal of Franklin, George Basore, was shot and killed in 1906 while attempting to arrest an African American man, George White. When White was arrested, a crowd of 300 gathered outside the Franklin jail intent on lynching him. The sheriff and two deputies were able to remove White and take him to nearby Lebanon for his safety. The New York Times reported: "The whole town of Franklin is wrought up over the affair. Colored people were chased out without being given time to explain". White died the following year in the electric chair.

In 1907, Franklin's fire chief, B.H. Miller, walked into the police station and shot dead one of the prisoners who had allegedly had an affair with his wife a month earlier. The town was devastated by the Great Flood of March 1913, when the Great Miami River overflowed its banks.

Franklin places a strong emphasis on health and wellness, with various amenities and services available to promote a healthy lifestyle. Centerpoint Health Medical serves as a leading healthcare provider in the region, offering comprehensive medical services to residents. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Franklin Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include YMCA and Tough Brother Training. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Franklin, such as the Twin Creek Orange Loop Trail and Hazel Woods Park Loop. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

The top Sites in Franklin, OH are Land of Illusion Adventure Park, La Comedia Dinner Theatre, and Museum of Spiritual Art.

Population: 11,644 (2022). ZIP Code: 45005. Area code: 937. Elevation: 686 ft (209 m). Area: 9.43 sq mi (24.41 km²).

FAQs

What is Franklin, OH famous for?

While the district's predominant architectural style is Queen Anne, examples of Italianate and Second Empire, Colonial, Georgian, Spanish Revival, Cape Cod, and more are also present. Regionally, Franklin is known as the “city of murals”. Murals seen throughout the town today were painted by resident Eric Henn.

Is Franklin, OH expensive?

Franklin is 7% less expensive than the national average and 4% more expensive to live in than the average city in Ohio. This assumes a $72,000 annual salary and a 2-bedroom Apt. Food costs in Franklin are less affordable than average in the United States. Transportation costs in Franklin are less affordable than average in the United States.

Who was Franklin, OH named after?

Founded in 1796 by General William C. Schenck, who was a professional surveyor, Franklin began as a small collection of cabins along the Great Miami River in what was then the Northwest Territory. General Schenck named his new settlement after Benjamin Franklin. General Schenck, a native of New Jersey, and his wife, Betsey Rogers of Huntington, Long Island, relocated from Cincinnati to Franklin in 1803, the same year that Ohio was admitted to the Union as the 17th state. 

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Franklin

Centerpoint Health Medical 

Franklin Parks and Recreation Department 

YMCA 

Tough Brother Training

Twin Creek Orange Loop Trail 

Hazel Woods Park Loop

Land of Illusion Adventure Park

La Comedia Dinner Theatre

Museum of Spiritual Art

Ohio's Largest Playground

Erieri

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