Franklin Historic District (Franklin, Tennessee) facts for kids
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Franklin Historic District
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Fourth Avenue in the Franklin Historic District
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 Location in Tennessee
Location in the United States
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| Location | Centered around Main St. (TN 96) and 3rd Ave. (U.S. 31) (original); Third Ave. S between S. Margin St. and the RR (increase I); and 300 block of 4th Ave. S (increase II), in Franklin, Tennessee |
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| Area | 148 acres (60 ha) |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival, Federal, Queen Anne and Colonial Revival |
| MPS | Williamson County MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001254 (original) 88000378 (increase 1) 00000232 (increase 2) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 5, 1972 |
| Boundary increases | April 13, 1988 March 15, 2000 |
The Franklin Historic District is a special area in Franklin, Tennessee. It was created to protect old buildings and their unique styles. This district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. It covers about 16 blocks in the heart of downtown Franklin.
Contents
What is a Historic District?
A historic district is like a special neighborhood. It has many old buildings that are important because of their history or how they look. The goal is to keep these buildings safe and looking good for the future. When a place is on the National Register, it means it's recognized as important across the country.
Old Buildings and Styles
The Franklin Historic District started out covering about 140 acres. This area included 211 buildings that helped tell the story of the past. These are called "contributing buildings." There were also 65 newer buildings that didn't quite fit the historic look.
Some of the buildings show off cool styles like Gothic Revival and Federal. Two very important buildings within this district are the Winstead House and the Hiram Masonic Lodge No. 7. The Masonic Lodge is so important it's even a U.S. National Historic Landmark! The district also includes the Williamson County Courthouse.
Growing the Historic Area
Over time, the Franklin Historic District has grown bigger.
- In 1988, about 5.2 more acres were added. This new part included 12 contributing buildings. You can see styles like Greek Revival and Italianate here.
- Then, in 2000, another 2.6 acres were added. This brought in nine more contributing buildings. These buildings show off styles like Queen Anne and Colonial Revival.
Protecting Franklin's History
Franklin has five historic districts listed on the National Register. Four of these, including the Franklin Historic District, are also protected by local city rules. This means that if someone wants to change a building in these areas, they need special permission. This helps make sure the historic look and feel of Franklin stay safe for everyone to enjoy.
