Franklin

How to Get There

Overview

Franklin is a historic city in Williamson County, Tennessee, about 20 miles south of Nashville, and it is known for its well-preserved Main Street, for its Civil War battlefield, and for being one of the wealthiest and most charming suburbs in the South. The Battle of Franklin, fought on November 30, 1864, was one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War, and the town's historic homes and battlefield sites are open to visitors. Today, Franklin is also a center for music and healthcare, with many Nashville recording artists and company headquarters.

Visitors come to Franklin for the historic downtown, with its Victorian buildings, boutiques, and restaurants, for Civil War sites such as Carnton Plantation, the Carter House, and Lotz House, and for the nearby Natchez Trace Parkway. They also come for the Franklin Hop Trolley tour, for wineries such as Arrington Vineyards, for the Pilgrimage Music Festival, and for the Main Street Festival in April, and it is an easy day trip from Nashville.

History

Franklin was founded in 1799 and named for Benjamin Franklin by Abram Maury, and it grew as an agricultural center, with farms that produced cotton and livestock. During the Civil War, the Battle of Franklin took place on the edge of town, when Confederate General John Bell Hood launched a massive frontal assault on Union fortifications, resulting in about 10,000 casualties in five hours. The Carnton Plantation became a field hospital, and the McGavock Confederate Cemetery on its grounds holds the remains of nearly 1,500 soldiers. In the twentieth century, Franklin remained a small town, and in the 1980s its historic district was revitalized and became a model for downtown preservation.

Sightseeing and Popular Landmarks

Main Street in the Franklin Historic District, a National Historic Landmark, has more than 100 buildings from the 1800s with shops, restaurants, and galleries, and the Williamson County Courthouse and the Confederate Monument stand on the Public Square. The Carter House, the Carnton Plantation, and the Lotz House are the main Civil War sites, and the Battle of Franklin Trust runs tours and exhibits. The Franklin Hop Trolley offers narrated tours of the city, and the Natchez Trace Parkway passes just west of town with scenic views and historic sites.

Culture and Museums

The Carter House, Carnton, and Lotz House museums tell the story of the Battle of Franklin and its impact on the community, and the Williamson County Archives and the Heritage Foundation also preserve local history. The Franklin Theatre, a restored 1937 movie palace, hosts concerts, and the Factory at Franklin is a former stove factory that is now a complex of shops, restaurants, and music venues. Franklin hosts the Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival in the fall and the Main Street Festival in the spring.

Parks

Franklin has a number of parks and green spaces. Harlinsdale Farm is a former horse farm turned park with a walking trail and views of the countryside, and Pinkerton Park has a pedestrian bridge to downtown. The Natchez Trace Parkway offers hiking and cycling, and Leiper's Fork, a nearby village, is known for its artists and music.

Seasons and Weather

Franklin has a humid subtropical climate. Summers are hot and humid, with highs in the upper 80s°F, and winters are mild, with highs in the 40s°F and about 5 inches of snow. Spring and fall are the best seasons, and the holiday season brings decorations and Dickens of a Christmas events to downtown.

Things to Do

Stroll Historic Downtown Franklin

Franklin's historic downtown is centered around its famous Main Street and Public Square. Visitors can explore boutique shops, local restaurants, art galleries, and beautifully preserved architecture within one of America's Great American Main Streets.

Visit the Carter House

One of the most significant Civil War sites in the nation, the Carter House played a key role during the 1864 Battle of Franklin. Guided tours explain the battle and its impact on the town.

Tour Carnton

This historic plantation served as a Confederate field hospital after the Battle of Franklin. Today, visitors can tour the house, grounds, and the adjacent McGavock Confederate Cemetery.

Explore Lotz House Museum

Located adjacent to the Carter House, the Lotz House contains original Civil War artifacts and detailed exhibits about the Battle of Franklin and the Lotz family.

Visit The Factory at Franklin

This redeveloped industrial complex features shopping, dining, entertainment venues, and special events housed within a restored historic factory.

Take a Franklin Hop Trolley Tour

The narrated trolley tour provides an overview of Franklin's history, architecture, and major attractions while allowing visitors to learn about more than 50 points of interest.

Explore Leiper's Fork

Just outside Franklin, this charming village is known for art galleries, local music, unique shops, scenic countryside, and Southern hospitality.

Drive the Natchez Trace Parkway

The historic Natchez Trace Parkway passes through the Franklin area and offers scenic drives, overlooks, hiking opportunities, and significant historical sites.

Visit Arrington Vineyards

Located nearby, Arrington Vineyards offers wine tastings, beautiful countryside views, seasonal events, and live music in a picturesque setting.

After the passage of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, some Franklin residents have worked to identify and preserve its most significant historic assets. Five historic districts are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as are many individual non-historic but older structures.

Franklin is home to an armed forces memorial, on the grounds of the Williamson County Archives, which honors Williamson County servicemen who served in American wars from the Creek War to the Gulf War. Around the seal of Franklin are placed engraved bricks that radiate around it in a circle. The largest brick is in honor of George Jordan, a former slave who fought in the Indian Wars in New Mexico, and the only Williamson Countian to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor.

This article uses material from Wikipedia as well as information from official tourism and institutional sources. Key references include Visit Franklin, Battle of Franklin Trust, Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, National Park Service Natchez Trace Parkway, Tennessee Tourism, and National Weather Service Nashville. Wikipedia material is from the articles "Franklin, Tennessee" and "Battle of Franklin", and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.