Franklin Historic District (Franklin, Michigan) facts for kids
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Franklin Historic District
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Franklin Bingham Fire Department on Franklin Road
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | Along Franklin Rd., between Fourteen Mile Rd. and Scenic Dr., Franklin, Michigan |
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| Area | 174 acres (70 ha) |
| Built | 1825 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Bungalow/craftsman, Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 69000070 (original) 05000736 (increase) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | February 10, 1969 |
| Boundary increase | July 27, 2005 |
The Franklin Historic District is a special area in the village of Franklin, Michigan. It's full of old homes and shops that show what life was like long ago. This historic district is located along Franklin Road and nearby streets. It stretches from Fourteen Mile Road in the north to Scenic Drive in the south. To the east, it reaches the Rouge River, and to the west, it goes a few hundred feet from Franklin Road. This district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969. It was even the very first district in Michigan to get this important recognition! More areas were added to it in 2005.
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History of Franklin Village
How Franklin Started
The village of Franklin was founded in 1824. By 1828, it was a small but growing community. There were nine families living there, along with a US postmaster and a school. By 1830, a business center began to form. This was right in the middle of what is now the historic district. Some of these early businesses are still standing today. For example, the old Broughton Wagon Shop and the Van Every Mill are still there. They look much like they did when they were first built.
Growth and Change in Franklin
Franklin grew slowly for many years. But after World War I, things started to change. Many people from Detroit began moving to the suburbs. Detroit's population was growing fast, and new homes were needed. In 1926, the village of Franklin was formally planned out.
Even more people moved to the area after World War II. This was because new highways were built, and more people wanted to live in the suburbs. This led to a big building boom in Franklin. To protect the village from too much development, the Franklin Historical Society took action. In the early 1970s, they worked to create special zoning laws. These laws helped to control how much new building could happen.
Exploring the Franklin Historic District
What Makes the District Special?
The original part of the historic district follows the old boundaries of Franklin from the 1870s. This section has 26 important historical buildings. Many of these buildings date back to the mid-1830s. The expanded district is much larger. It includes almost 150 buildings in total. About 100 of these buildings are considered historically important. The district is located along or very close to Franklin Road.
Important Buildings to See
Here are some of the most significant places you can find in the Franklin Historic District:
- Franklin Cemetery: This cemetery is located at the corner of Franklin Road and Scenic Drive. It's six acres big. You can find gravestones here from 1829 all the way up to today.
- House (32020 Franklin Road): This house was built in 1929. It has a unique slate roof and is built in the Tudor style.
- Franklin Village School (32220 Franklin Road): This is a large brick building constructed in 1923. It has two additions at the back.
- Broughton House (32325 Franklin Road): This house was built in the 1830s. It's a Greek Revival style house. Today, it serves as the village hall.
- J.J. Trott House (26110 Carol): This house was built in 1850. It's another great example of the Greek Revival style.
- Franklin Village Library: A place for books and learning in the heart of the village.
- Franklin Community Church (32473 Normandy Road): This is a large and noticeable church. It was built in 1956.
- Methodist Protestant Church (26109 German Mill Road): This building is now a private home. But it used to be a church for several different religious groups in the village.
- Market Basket (32652 Franklin Road): This building was constructed in 1900. It started out as a general store.
- Franklin Hotel (32751 Franklin Road): This historic hotel was built way back in 1831.
- Temperance Hotel (32800 Franklin Road): Another old hotel, this one was built in 1840.
- Franklin Cider Mill (7450 Franklin Road): This is a wood-frame building from 1837. It was a grist mill until 1949. Then it was changed into the cider mill we know today!
Gallery
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Franklin Cemetery
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Franklin Village School
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Farmhouse Coffee on Franklin Road
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Market Basket on Franklin Road
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Franklin Community Church
