Introduction | ENVISION FRANKLIN 7 HISTORIC TRENDS Founded in 1799 as the seat of Williamson County, Franklin existed as a distinct and rural community for most of its first 180 years. Franklin was a small city surrounded by agricultural land and rolling hills, connected to the surrounding region by a transportation and communication network, including the electric interurban railway that provided service from Downtown Franklin to Nashville from 1908 to 1942. The City was a stable community that prospered but experienced minimal growth and development. In fact, Williamson County had a higher population in 1850 than it did in 1960! Then, as national trends toward suburbanization began in the mid-20th Century, Franklin began to experience change in both population and land area. See Figure 1.3. In 1950, the population was 5,475 and by 1980 the population had grown to 12,407 (U.S. Census). The era from the mid 1960s marked the beginning of changes for both the City and the County. The number of subdivision plat approvals and rezonings took a marked upturn. In Franklin, multifamily developments began to be approved and constructed in heretofore single family neighborhoods. In addition to annexations, commercial and industrial developments followed and the Murfreesboro Road Interstate 65 interchange was opened in 1969. During this time, Downtown Franklin was in a state of gradual decline as new retailers opened up outside of Downtown, which pulled commerce away from Main Street. Historic brick facades were covered up to modernize with aluminum siding. Historic windows were covered or painted over. Highway-oriented signage and lighting were installed along Main Street, while the infrastructure slowly crumbled. In 1967, a small group of citizens concerned about the demolition of historic buildings formed the Heritage Foundation with a mission to preserve the county’s historical resources and agrarian roots. In 1984, the Downtown Franklin Association was created to promote the continued viability of the central business district by working in partnership with property owners, business owners, preservationists, and the city and county governments. Both organizations were instrumental with leading the resurgence of Downtown Franklin. While the growth more than doubled over those 30 years from 1950 to 1980, it was only a preview to the explosive change that would occur in the next 40 years. Four catalytic projects set Franklin on a path of tremendous economic growth and prosperity. In 1985, the Saturn Plant in Spring Hill was announced. In 1991, the Main Street Streetscape Project was completed. Cool Springs 1994 1929 1980s
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