CITY OF FRANKLIN, TENNESSEE DRAFT | AUGUST 24, 2026 1
Acknowledgments Ken Moore, Mayor Patrick Baggett, Vice Mayor, Ward 4 Beverly Burger, Ward 1 Matt Brown, Ward 2 Jason Potts, Ward 3 Clyde Barnhill, At-Large Brandy Blanton, At-Large Greg Caesar, At-Large Ann Petersen, At-Large Julian L. Bibb, III, Chair Steve Bacon Patrick Baggett, Alderman Torrey Stella Barnhill Thelma Battle Bari Beasley Marianne DeMeyers Heidi Hood Michael Hathaway Rev. Kenneth H. Hill, Ph.D. Dr. Colbi Layne Hogan Samuel V. Huffman Jr. Eric A. Jacobson Tina Cahalan Jones Brian Laster Pam Lewis Wayne McCullough Alma McLemore Mary Pearce Anthony Pickett Bob Ravener Jim Roberts Alan Simms Derrick L. Solomon Mindy Tate Maureen Thornton Rick Warwick BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN PRESERVATION PLAN STEERING COMMITTEE Note: All photos by The Lakota Group and the City of Franklin unless otherwise noted in the report. 2 FRANKLIN, TN | PRESERVATION PLAN
Tony Morreale, Chair Sean R. Aiello Patrick Baggett, Alderman Eddie DeGarmo Heather Doleshel Dr. Ray Eldridge Rachael A. Finch Dr. Colbi Layne Hogan Marlene W. Holmes Samuel V. Huffman Jr Marlene Holmes Eric A. Jacobson Tina Cahalan Jones Kelly Kautzman Pam Lewis William R. Macon, Vice Chair Alma McLemore Mary Pearce Alan Simms CIVIL WAR HISTORICAL COMMISSION HISTORIC ZONING COMMISSION Tyler LeMarinel, Chair Brian Laster, Vice Chair Angela Calhoun Bob Barrett Madalyn Ingram Michael Orr, Franklin Municipal Planning Commission Representative Mary Pearce Holly Thompson Kathy Worthington DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND SUSTAINABILITY KEY STAFF PROJECT PARTNERS Emily Wright, Planning Director Kelly Dannenfelser, Assist. Director of Long Range & Historic Preservation Emily Huffer, Project Lead, Preservation Planner Elizabeth Bulay, Assistant Preservation Planner Joel Aguilera, Principal Planner The Lakota Group Hanbury Preservation Consulting Richard Grubb & Associates 3
Table of Contents CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION.................................................................... 06 Franklin’s Journey................................................................................................................................................... 08 A Historic City Thriving with Modern Growth.....................................................................................................09 The Value of Preservation .......................................................................................................................................10 CHAPTER 2: HISTORIC RESOURCES & COMMUNITY CHARACTER......12 The South’s Most Charming Town..........................................................................................................................14 Local and National Register Historic Districts.....................................................................................................26 Downtown Franklin Historic District....................................................................................................................27 Lewisburg Avenue Historic District.......................................................................................................................28 Hincheyville Historic District.................................................................................................................................29 Adams Street Historic District..............................................................................................................................30 Franklin Road Local Historic District.................................................................................................................... 31 Boyd Mill Avenue Local Historic District.............................................................................................................32 Everbright Avenue Local Historic District............................................................................................................33 Local Landmarks and Individual Local Designations.............................................................................................34 National Register Historic Resources....................................................................................................................35 National Register Historic Districts Outside of the HPO..................................................................................35 CHAPTER 3: TIMELINE OF TRANSFORMATION......................................... 36 A Formative History................................................................................................................................................38 Prehistoric and Early Settlement..........................................................................................................................40 Settlement (1795–1830)........................................................................................................................................ 42 Pre-Civil War (1830–1860)...................................................................................................................................44 Civil War (1861–1865)............................................................................................................................................45 Fortifications and Signal Stations...........................................................................................................................45 The United States Colored Troops (USCT)..........................................................................................................45 April 1863 Engagement..........................................................................................................................................45 The Battle of Franklin..............................................................................................................................................46 After the Battle of Nashville | Daily Life in Franklin............................................................................................48 Post Civil War-Era (1865–1929)...........................................................................................................................49 Depression and World War II (1929–1945)..........................................................................................................52 Post-World War II (1945–1975)............................................................................................................................52 Contemporary (1975–Current)............................................................................................................................. 54 4 FRANKLIN, TN | PRESERVATION PLAN
CHAPTER 4: FRANKLIN’S PRESERVATION STORY..................................... 56 A Remarkable Transformation................................................................................................................................58 Phase 1: Foundations and Memory: 1850s–1950s..............................................................................................60 Phase 2: Grassroots Rescue: 1960–2000...........................................................................................................70 Phase 3: Partnerships and Policies: 2000–2025............................................................................................... 80 Franklin’s Civil War Preservation Initiatives..........................................................................................................85 Preserving Franklin’s African American History..................................................................................................89 Historic Parks........................................................................................................................................................... 92 CHAPTER 5: THEMES, GOALS, & RECOMMENDATIONS. ........................... 98 Overview.................................................................................................................................................................100 Planning Themes & Goals.....................................................................................................................................102 Preserving Franklin’s Historic Resources............................................................................................................104 Future Survey Areas...............................................................................................................................................107 Potential Historic Preservation Overlay (HPO) Areas.......................................................................................112 Potential Individual Local Designations.................................................................................................................113 Protecting Community Character.........................................................................................................................116 Potential Neighborhood Conservation Overlays (NCO) Areas......................................................................120 Conserving Cultural Landscapes............................................................................................................................124 Preserving Civil War Resources............................................................................................................................130 Preserving Stories in Franklin................................................................................................................................136 Cultivating Heritage & Cultural Tourism............................................................................................................. 142 Supporting Economic Vitality & Small Businesses.............................................................................................148 Partnerships, Advocacy & Education...................................................................................................................152 Program Administration........................................................................................................................................ 158 Disaster Mitigation.................................................................................................................................................162 CHAPTER 6: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT................................................168 Overview.................................................................................................................................................................170 Engagement & Planning Timeline..........................................................................................................................171 Engagement Themes.............................................................................................................................................. 174 CHAPTER 7: PLAN IMPLEMENTATION...................................................... 178 Overview.................................................................................................................................................................180 Implementation Matrix. .........................................................................................................................................182 5
Introduction CHAPTER 1 6 FRANKLIN, TN | PRESERVATION PLAN
CHAPTER 1 CONTENT FRANKLIN’S JOURNEY THE VALUE OF PRESERVATION A HISTORIC CITY THRIVING WITH MODERN GROWTH Chapter content above is hyperlinked. MAIN TABLE OF CONTENTS 7
The remarkable transformation of Franklin is the result of deliberate choices, bold ideas, and relentless commitment. Franklin’s rise from a quiet town to a nationally recognized destination didn’t happen overnight. It was forged over decades by civic-minded individuals, many of whom remain active and influential in the community today, who believed in the power of place and understood that progress and preservation are not mutually exclusive. Decades ago, Franklin faced significant challenges. Its downtown was struggling, its historic buildings were undervalued, and its growth lacked direction. But a coalition of local visionaries, residents, business owners, preservationists, and City leaders came together with a shared belief that Franklin’s character was its greatest asset. They rolled up their sleeves, built partnerships, created policies, and invested in what others might have overlooked. They protected Civil War battlefields, restored Main Street, celebrated heritage, and channeled their vision into economic development. And in doing so, they laid the groundwork for the Franklin we know and cherish today. This transformation did not happen by chance; it was forged with deliberate intentionality. Every ordinance passed, every building saved, every story told was part of a long-term vision for a better community. It was strategic, sustained, and successful. Today, Franklin finds itself in a new chapter. One that is defined by momentum, opportunity, and the responsibility that comes with being a place others look for inspiration. Growth continues, new pressures emerge, and the city’s reputation draws residents, investment, and expectations that didn’t exist a generation ago. As Franklin evolves, so too must the commitment to what made it exceptional in the first place. Sustaining that greatness will take more than good intentions. It will take continued and new waves of civic leadership, people who are not only visionary but hands-on, who understand the value of history and the urgency of thoughtful action. Franklin’s Preservation Plan will require more than planners; it will call for doers, individuals who are passionate, informed, and prepared to protect what makes Franklin unique while embracing the future with creativity and care. The Historic Preservation Plan is built for this moment. It’s a guide for advancing the values that shaped Franklin’s past, and a tool for shaping what comes next, intentionally, inclusively, and with a renewed sense of purpose. Franklin didn’t just happen, it was shaped through vision, collaboration, and a shared belief in the power of place. That work is ongoing and, by its nature, never truly complete. This has always been the Franklin way. Franklin’s Journey 8 FRANKLIN, TN | PRESERVATION PLAN
Franklin’s previous Preservation Plan and Franklin Battlefield Preservation Plan were over 20 years old, and many of the goals and action items had been achieved. With this major update, the new comprehensive 2026 Franklin Historic Preservation Plan covers a broad spectrum of preservation priorities and identifies strategies that will sustain Franklin’s heritage for generations to come. A Historic City Thriving with Modern Growth Franklin, Tennessee, is a unique blend of history and new growth. Located about 15 miles south of Nashville, it was founded in 1799 and named after Benjamin Franklin. One of the bloodiest battles in the Civil War took place here, bringing thousands of visitors each year to visit the site of the Battle of Franklin, Carnton, the Carter House, and many other historic sites throughout the city. For almost fifty years, Franklin’s historic downtown has led the way nationally in revitalization with resounding success in its resurgence. It continues to be preserved and revitalized today, attracting new retail and restaurants and serving as the setting for festivals and parades enjoyed by thousands each year. Residents and visitors enjoy the beautiful 16-block historic district that offers true southern hospitality with uniquely elegant shops, a variety of restaurants, clothing, and gifts. Franklin values both its cherished historic resources and its flourishing economic growth. Franklin is home to the Cool Springs Galleria, numerous corporate headquarters, and many successful mixed-use, walkable neighborhoods. The City has exceptionally strong economic health and top-tier financial management, continually holding a AAA bond rating from both Moody’s and S&P. Franklin’s blend of progressive growth, high-quality development standards, excellent economy, high quality of life, and emphasis on historic preservation have led to many awards and accolades over the years: • All-America City Award Winner (National Civic League 2026) • South’s 20 Best Cities (Southern Living 2025) • 2nd Best Rising City in the South (Southern Living South’s Best 2024) • Award for Excellence in Economy (Voice of the People 2023) • All-America City Award Winner (National Civic League 2020) • 4th Best Places to Live (Money Magazine 2017) • 3rd Safest City in TN (Backgroundchecks.org 2016) • 1st Best Towns in Tennessee (Niche Rankings 2015) • 1st Best Southern Town (Garden and Guns Magazine 2014) • Most Romantic Towns (Travel & Leisure 2014) • Charming Small Towns of the South (USA Today 2014) • Top 10 Downtowns (Livability.com 2014) • America’s Favorite Towns (Travel and Leisure Magazine 2013) • Best Place for Job Seekers (Nerd Wallet 2013) • Where the Jobs Are (CNN Money Magazine 2012) • Top 10 for Historic Preservation (Preservation Network 2012) • Most Business Friendly Cities in TN (Beacon Center 2012) 9
• Most Beautiful Towns (Rand McNally Best of the Road 2011) • Most Romantic Main Street (National Trust for Historic Preservation 2010) • Distinctive Destination (National Trust for Historic Preservation 2009) • Top Ten Great Neighborhood (American Planning Association 2009) • Top 10 Places to Retire (Money Magazine 2003) • Great American Main Street Award (1995) Franklin is a thriving, vibrant community with a high quality of life for residents and corporate citizens. Today, the city contains 45 square miles and about 93,000 residents. Franklin offers 21 public parks (ten of which are historic) and has seven local historic districts. It is among the safest cities in the country and widely recognized for its outstanding quality of life and an attractive place to build a business and raise a family. The Value of Preservation INTRINSIC VALUE OF PRESERVING OUR PAST Historic Preservation is the practice of identifying, protecting, and celebrating the buildings, sites, landscapes, and cultural stories and traditions that tell the story of a community. In Franklin, preservation is a community value, woven into the fabric of everyday life, from Civil War battlefields to historic landscapes and sites, from historic downtown storefronts to century-old neighborhoods, Franklin’s rich heritage is visible, tangible, and vital to its continued success. At its most practical level, historic preservation protects resources of architectural, historical, and cultural value. It includes tools like local historic districts, landmark designations, design guidelines, and incentives that help property owners reinvest in historic structures. But preservation is also about memories, stories, and meaning. In Franklin, historic preservation creates a sense of continuity and belonging, offering opportunities to engage with the past, reflect on who we are, and shape how we move forward. Preserving Franklin’s historic character is essential to maintaining the city’s identity and community character. Historic buildings are home to businesses and cultural venues, drawing visitors, and contributing to a distinct sense of place that cannot be replicated elsewhere. Franklin’s historic neighborhoods, significant parks and open spaces, and cultural landscapes – such as the Franklin Battlefield sites – help to tell the story of Franklin’s rich heritage. In short, preservation helps Franklin remain Franklin. 10 FRANKLIN, TN | PRESERVATION PLAN
ECONOMIC VALUE OF PRESERVATION Preservation also plays a powerful role in supporting Franklin’s economy and identity. “Heritage tourism is traveling to experience the places, artifacts and activities that authentically represent the stories and people of the past and present.”6 Heritage tourism programs bring together tangible historic resources (like buildings and sites), intangible cultural heritage (like stories and traditions), and the capacity to curate and interpret authentic experiences for visitors. Franklin successfully leverages historic preservation to support robust heritage tourism. Heritage tourism is a strong and growing industry in Franklin and Williamson County and has a significant impact on the local and state economies. Williamson County ranks 6th out of the state’s 95 counties in visitor spending.7 The most recent impact reports show growth in the local tourism industry: Day and overnight visitation to Franklin and Williamson County increased in 2023 over the previous year. Williamson County is also fortunate to have strong repeat visitation with 66.9 percent of visitors making a return trip.8 In addition, visitor spending supports local employment and generates local and state tax revenues. Economic development intersects with many aspects of historic preservation in Franklin, but the heart of this intersection of tourism, preservation, and economic development is historic downtown Franklin. Just as Franklin’s residents readily associate historic and cultural resources as important to the city’s character and quality of life, the same is true of visitors: they are drawn to enjoy the historic downtown, tour historic homes, and take guided tours to learn more about the area’s history and culture. 6 National Trust for Historic Preservation, Heritage Tourism Program, 1990. 7 Data in this section was compiled by Smith Travel Research for the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. 8 Ibid. 11
Historic Resources & Community Character CHAPTER 2 12 FRANKLIN, TN | PRESERVATION PLAN
CHAPTER 2 CONTENT THE SOUTH’S MOST CHARMING TOWN HINCHEYVILLE HISTORIC DISTRICT EVERBRIGHT AVENUE LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICT DOWNTOWN FRANKLIN HISTORIC DISTRICT FRANKLIN ROAD LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICT NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC RESOURCES LOCAL AND NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS ADAMS STREET HISTORIC DISTRICT LOCAL LANDMARKS AND INDIVIDUAL LOCAL DESIGNATIONS LEWISBURG AVENUE HISTORIC DISTRICT BOYD MILL AVENUE LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICT NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS OUTSIDE OF THE HPO Chapter content above is hyperlinked. MAIN TABLE OF CONTENTS 13
Downtown Franklin, part of the Main Street America program, was among the first winners of a Great American Main Street Award in 1995, the award’s inaugural year. Once a “revitalization” project, downtown’s resurgence has led to vibrant and thriving historic places that evoke emotional connection with them. The Franklin Historic District (a National Register Historic District) represents a fine collection of architectural styles from the 19th through the mid-20th centuries. These architectural styles are evident in residential, commercial, and civic buildings throughout the district and illustrate change over time as community needs have evolved. These buildings are framed by tree-lined streets and a walkable downtown area. Residential buildings house families, and some office spaces, which are situated in adjacent historic districts that are walkable to Main Street. The walkability to schools, civic buildings, places of worship, restaurants, and businesses appeals to all who visit and reside within the city. Some define it as “living the simple life or the American Dream,” and it is a look into the past way of living that our parents and grandparents grew up. Downtown is the single most-visited destination in Franklin and the third most-visited destination in Williamson and Davidson Counties.6 The value of downtown Franklin reflects the combined assets of the 6 Source: Symphony Tourism Economics, 2024, via Visit Franklin. historic buildings, the quality of the public space, and the mix of commercial enterprises. These qualities can’t be teased apart. For example, a downtown with historic buildings but no businesses is a drain on the local economy, rather than a contributor. It is the productive economic use of historic commercial buildings that helps to assure their preservation. As a result of its unique businesses and visitor experience, downtown Franklin has managed to thrive through a tumultuous period of transitions to e-commerce and streaming entertainment where many historic downtowns have struggled. Visit Franklin is Franklin, and Williamson County’s Convention and Visitors Bureau and their brand messaging emphasizes the importance of authenticity, the need to preserve the integrity of historic resources, the need to document intangible heritage, the opportunity to create a variety of messages for different experiences, and the essential involvement of the residents in welcoming visitors to Franklin and Williamson County. These messages include A Great American Main Street, Telling Franklin’s Fuller Story, and Franklin as a Preservation Leader. The sense of community would not be intact without people within the community wanting to preserve the sense of place, the contributing architectural features of buildings, and consistently being advocates for each other and what they have helped to protect. Though these activists within the community are not only characters of the past, they are among current residents who know that Franklin is special and that it The South’s Most Charming Town 14 FRANKLIN, TN | PRESERVATION PLAN
should be preserved not only for them but for others to enjoy for decades to come. These individuals had bold visions and were not afraid to take risks to ensure the decisions they made were intentional and would have a lasting impact. The buildings we see, the reclaimed Civil War sites, and parks serve as a backdrop for families, community events, and everyday life for most residents and visitors. Visit Franklin describes downtown Franklin as being authentic. This would not be the case without the citizens, traditions, organizations, and buildings that contribute to the sense of authenticity and serve as a physical testament to the city’s history. Preserving the emotional connection to Franklin means not only protecting the buildings, but also the intangible qualities that make up Franklin’s identity. Without the intangible feeling of belonging and the belief that you are part of something special in Franklin, the city would just be a collection of historic buildings. Not every city has what Franklin has, an array of historic buildings in varied architectural styles, Civil War sites, and most importantly, the people who continue to believe in Franklin and preserving its history. The next sections detail the historic resources by category: residential, commercial, industrial, government and fraternal, religious, educational, transportation, cultural landscapes, and Civil War resources. Residential Resources Early dwellings in Franklin were modest log and frame buildings. Residential development centered around the town square and along key roadways like Columbia Avenue. Some of the earliest extant houses in Franklin are Federal-style dwellings, characterized by brick construction, symmetrical facades, and minimal ornamentation. Constructed around 1800, Wyatt Hall (NRHP 1980) and the Hamilton-Brown House (NRHP 1973) are good examples of this style in Franklin. Greek Revival-style dwellings soon came into fashion with prominent porticoes and classical details. The wealthier residents of the city, particularly plantation owners, built elaborate Grecian houses such as the Lotz House (NRHP 1976) and Carnton (NRHP 1973). In 1819, Hinchey Petway subdivided land southwest of the original town boundary for the creation of Franklin’s first residential addition. Named Hincheyville (NRHP 1982), the neighborhood features some of the city’s best examples of Federal and Greek Revival-style architecture. During the Civil War, the construction of residential architecture in Franklin came to a halt. Many houses in the area were temporarily repurposed as military hospitals or headquarters. The reconstruction era brought renewed economic activity, rail connections, and improved infrastructure. Following emancipation, African American communities began to develop as formerly enslaved people began to purchase property and settle in neighborhoods. One such example is the Natchez Street Historic District (NRHP 2004) dating from 1871, which is comprised of a range of dwellings from simplified bungalows, shotgun style, and Ranch houses that reflect the working-class to middle-class demographics. Notable dwellings include the MerrillWilliams House at 264 Natchez Street and the Gaylor House (Green Book House) at 253 Natchez Street. In 1875, Harvey McLemore subdivided 15 acres that became known as the Hard Bargain Neighborhood, which includes the McLemore House (NRHP 1999) at 446 11th Avenue North. Thomas Freeman, who was formerly enslaved at Carnton, constructed a home at 303 Franklin Road that still stands today. A.N.C Williams, who was also formerly enslaved, constructed a house at 202 Church Street.7 Two rows of shotgun-type houses were constructed on 1st Avenue South as part of the 1869 Lillie Mills flour production plant, which were primarily occupied by African American employees. The more eclectic Bell Town neighborhood on Cummins Street and Evans Street near Buford Street also features smaller dwellings on dense lots. Since the late twentieth century, these neighborhoods have seen increasing pressure from development and much has been lost. 7 https://usctwillcotn.blogspot.com/ 15
In the late nineteenth century, architectural tastes for dwellings shifted to more decorative styles such as Italianate, Queen Anne, and Folk Victorian. Italianate style is characterized by low-pitched roofs with moderate to widely overhanging eaves having decorative brackets beneath; tall, narrow windows; and often with a square cupola or tower. Excellent examples of this style in Franklin include the Winstead House (NRHP 1979) on South Margin Street and the Andrew C. Vaughn House (NRHP 1988) on Murfreesboro Road. Queen Anne-style architecture was common in Franklin at the turn of the twentieth century. This style is identifiable by its steeply pitched roofs of irregular shapes, patterned shingles, cutaway bay windows, and asymmetrical facades with partial or wraparound porches. The Folk Victorian style features minimal detailing compared to high Victorian styles like Queen Anne but is notable for its porches with spindle work detailing and cornice line brackets. The forms of Folk Victorian houses are often simpler with symmetrical rectangular gable-front or side-gable forms or the gable-front-and-wing plan. Styles of this era can be found in the Hincheyville District and the Lewisburg Avenue Historic District (NRHP 1988). In the early twentieth century, increasing automobile ownership began to influence the development of residential patterns in Franklin. Residential architecture transitioned from the ornate styles to simpler and functional styles influenced by national architecture trends. These styles included Craftsman, American Foursquare, Colonial Revival, and Tudor Revival. Craftsman architecture is identified by low-pitched gable roofs, wide eaves with exposed rafter tails, tapered porch columns, and decorative beams or braces commonly added under the gables. Examples of this style can be found in the Hincheyville Historic District at 1005 Fair Street and 1002 West Main Street. More modest examples are in the Natchez Street Historic District. American Foursquare is a house form that is found in many styles of this period. The form is characterized by its two-story squared floor plan with four rooms upstairs and four rooms downstairs. The house at 1327 Adams Street in the Adams Street is a Colonial Revival style example of an American Foursquare. Colonial Revival is recognized by its symmetrical façade, accentuated front door with a decorative pediment supported by pilasters or extended portico with columns, doors with fanlights or sidelights, and multi-pane glazing in the windows. This style can be found throughout the city with excellent examples in the Lewisburg Avenue Historic District such as 102 and 111 Lewisburg Avenue and 501 South Margin Street. Tudor Revival is distinguished by its steeply pitched gable roofs; decorative half-timbering; tall, narrow windows; massive chimneys; and front doors or porches with rounded arches. Examples of this style can be found at 803 and 807 Fair Street in the Hincheyville Historic District. As automobile travel eased navigation into the historic core of Franklin, the suburban development began to sprawl from the city. Neighborhoods developed along Lewisburg Avenue, 2nd Avenue, and South Margin Street. During the Great Depression, loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration funded the construction of small houses with minimal detailing. The period after World War II brought a nationwide suburban boom. Planned neighborhoods with uniform lot sizes and consistent housing styles became the norm. Minimal Traditional, Ranch, and Split-Level dwellings were common during this period. These houses were typically smaller and cheaper to build than their more elaborate predecessors. Minimal Traditional houses are generally one-story in height with lowpitched, often gabled, roofs and the roof eaves usually have little to no overhang. Although not common in Franklin, Minimal Traditional houses are present as infill in historic neighborhoods such as 1333 and 1335 Adams Street. The Ranch house rose to prominence as the dominant form for the construction of post-War World II suburban development. The Ranch is characterized by low-pitched roofs, wide eaves, large picture windows, 16 FRANKLIN, TN | PRESERVATION PLAN
brick veneer, and attached garages. Excellent examples of early Ranch houses can be found in Franklin along Avondale Drive. Mid-century residential resources in Franklin have yet to be surveyed and were excluded from previous historic district boundaries due to their age. Examples of these post-War World II neighborhoods in Franklin can be found along Fairground Street, Battle Avenue, Avondale Drive, and Carolyn Avenue on the south side of town. The neighborhood at the intersection of West Main Street and Dabney Road features many Ranch and Minimal Traditional dwellings. The Hillsboro Road corridor between Del Rio Pike and Mack Hatcher Memorial Parkway also exhibits mid-century Ranch houses. Suburban expansion of Franklin has continued since the Post-War World II era coincided with the expansion of Nashville to the north and the construction of the interstate highway system in the 1960s. “New historic” infill has been common within the city limits as new houses are constructed to reference historic homes in massing and architectural detailing. Other neighborhoods outside the historic core, such as Natchez Street and mid-century subdivisions, are threatened by modern infill with new construction dwellings and mixed-use commercial buildings. 17
Commercial Resources Early commercial development in Franklin was characterized by Federal-style brick buildings centered around the town square. This style—most often of brick construction—features simple, symmetrical designs. The Maury-Darby Building (NRHP 1972), constructed between 1815–1817, is the oldest building on the square. These early buildings housed capcastores and taverns, establishing Franklin’s core as a mercantile center. As prosperity returned following the Civil War, new commercial construction in Franklin featured the more ornate Italianate and Victorian styles. These buildings are characterized by parapeted roofs, corbelled brick cornices, caste iron details, and storefront windows. The A.N.C. Williams Store (NRHP 1972) at 416 Main Street was constructed in 1864 just after the Civil War. By the 1880s, a bustling commercial area developed along Main Street in Franklin’s commercial business district (NRHP 1972). In the early twentieth century, fires in downtown Franklin resulted in new two-story commercial buildings constructed alongside the nineteenth century Italianate buildings. In the 1930s, Franklin’s commercial resources saw subtle influences of Art Deco architecture. The best example in the city is the Franklin Theatre which opened in 1937. The building introduced curved lines, a smooth wall surface, geometric motifs, and neon signage to the commercial strip downtown. The commercial development of Franklin has centered around the downtown district with modern infill. Some infill stands out against the predominately late nineteenth century and early twentieth century architecture of the downtown commercial core. An example of this is the Post-Modern style building at 210 East Main Street with its short stature and heavy design. Due to the City’s extensive design overlays the newer commercial developments are more harmonious with the historic character of the district, echoing the historic structures using brick, cast stone, and mirroring cornice lines of the older buildings. Industrial Resources Historically, Franklin’s economy was primarily agricultural. To support the sale of cotton – one of the most common crops – the Franklin Cotton Factory opened in 1825 near the Harpeth River. In the 1850s, an iron factory opened near the cotton factory, taking advantage of the proximity to the railroad. Federal military troops destroyed both buildings during the Civil War. In 1869, Joshua B. Lillie established the Franklin Flour Mill at the site of the cotton factory. The company built a five-story mill building in the 1880s and in 1926 constructed concrete grain elevators that continued to operate until the 1980s despite a fire that destroyed the mill in the 1950s. The grain elevators stand on the east side of 1st Avenue South. In 1929, the Allen Manufacturing Company constructed a stove manufacturing plant at 230 Franklin Road. In 1932, the brick building became the Dortch Stove Works (NRHP 1997). The plant remained active until 1991. The building was later renovated as a multi-purpose commercial space known as The Factory at Franklin and retains the Dortch Stove Works ghost sign on its facade. In the 1890s, the one-story brick Ice House was constructed on the corner of South Margin Street and 2nd Avenue South. Its proximity was close to the railroad to receive ice for use as food storage for local families. In the 1940s, a concrete block addition was added to the existing ice house, and was utilized as a poultry processing plant, where up to 20,000 chickens were processed a day at one point. 18 FRANKLIN, TN | PRESERVATION PLAN
Government and Fraternal Buildings The oldest public building in the city is Hiram Masonic Lodge No. 7 (NRHP 1973) at 115 2nd Avenue South. Constructed in 1823, the three-story Gothic Revival building was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1973. The Williamson County Courthouse (NRHP 1972) at 135 4th Avenue South, constructed in 1858, is a notable example of the Greek Revival style which was commonly used in the construction of public buildings. The courthouse exemplifies this style with its Doric columns and symmetrical design. In contrast, the Williamson County Administrative Complex at 1320 West Main Street was constructed as a hospital in the 1950s. That building has been used for county government purposes since the 1990s and underwent major renovations in 2020. Franklin’s third City Hall is the oldest one still standing. It was constructed in 1892 on the northwest corner of the Public Square and operated until 1959 when the City ran out of space and is now a coffee shop. In 1925, the federal government constructed the U.S. Post Office (NRHP 1972) at Five Points on the west end of the downtown Franklin Historic District. The trapezoidal building sits on a triangular lot and is a notable representative of the Colonial Revival architectural style. The American Legion Hall used by American Legion Post 215 at 510 11th Avenue North is an important African American fraternal landmark in the Hard Bargain neighborhood. Constructed as a dwelling around 1890, it has been used by American Legion Post 215 since 1952. The building is currently being renovated. Religious Resources Churches played a significant role in the public lives of Franklin’s early citizens. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (NRHP 1972) at 510 West Main Street was constructed in the 1830s with enslaved labor. The original sanctuary included a second-floor gallery where enslaved Black people sat during worship services. Several churches constructed after the Civil War still stand in downtown Franklin. These include the 1871 St. Phillip’s Catholic Church at 113 2nd Avenue South, the 1871 First Methodist Church at 148 5th Avenue South, the 1876 Franklin Cumberland Presbyterian Church at 615 West Main Street, and the circa-1890 Missionary First Baptist Church at 113 Natchez Street. Gothic Revival was a popular style for church construction in Franklin, and the rest of the country, during this period. The style, typically constructed in brick or stone, is characterized by an emphasis on verticality, steeply pitched roofs, pointed arches, lancet stained-glass windows, and buttresses. The St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, First Methodist Church, and the Franklin Cumberland Presbyterian Church are all examples of Gothic Revival ecclesiastical architecture. During the twentieth century, religious congregations constructed churches throughout the city. These include the 1907 Romanesque-style First Presbyterian Church, the circa-1930 Colonial Revival-style First Assembly of God Church at 259 Fourth Avenue South and the circa-1950 Christ Community Church Community Center at 133 Fourth Avenue South. 19
Natchez Street, also known as “Baptist Neck” because of the three churches that occupy each end and the midpoint of Natchez Street: the 1925 Gothic Revivalstyle Shorter Chapel A.M.E Church at 152 Fowlkes Street; the 1972 Modernist-style Providence United Primitive Baptist Church at 377 Natchez Street; and the First Missionary Baptist Church at 113 Natchez Street. More notable African American churches include the Wiley Memorial Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church at 112 2nd Avenue South, Pleasant Valley Primitive Baptist Church at 604 Mount Hope Street, and the Green Street Church of God at 915 Green Street. Educational Facilities Few historic school buildings remain in Franklin. The Battle Ground Academy, established in 1899, moved their campus to Columbia Avenue and Everbright Avenue in 1902. The new campus evolved to include a dormitory in 1922 and, later, a gymnasium. By 2003, the Battle Ground Academy had relocated to their current campus at 336 Ernest Rice Lane on the grounds of the former Glen Echo plantation (NRHP 1976). The 1922 dormitory has been demolished and one of the campus buildings is now occupied by the Renaissance School. Natchez High School was built in 1946 at 335 Natchez Street to replace earlier schools. When it was built, it was the only high school in Williamson County for African American students and remained so until desegregation. It still stands and now serves as the Claiborne & Hughes Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Franklin High School was constructed during Franklin’s expansion of the mid-1950s at 810 Hillsboro Road. The mid-century building underwent a major two-story expansion on the front of the building in 2006, but the older portion of the structure is still visible from the rear. The Lee-Buckner Rosenwald School was constructed in 1917 in rural Williamson County, which was one of four Rosenwald-funded schools that served African Americans in the county. In 2024, the Heritage Foundation moved the school to its current location in Franklin adjacent to the Winstead House (NRHP 1979). Transportation Resources Since its founding, residents of Franklin have relied on roads as their primary form of transportation. Many of these roads have been locally designated Heritage Roads in honor of their historic significance. These include the streets of downtown Franklin, portions of Franklin Road, Columbia Pike, and Carter’s Creek Pike. The Nashville and Decatur Railroad arrived in Franklin in 1855 and provided freight and passenger transportation to the river ports in Nashville and Alabama. The Tennessee and Alabama Railroad soon took over the corridor and constructed a brick freight depot in 1858 on Margin Street southeast of the town square. Cultural Landscapes Cemeteries formed some of the first public parks in Franklin. Established in 1811 on land owned by the Presbyterian Church, the Franklin City Cemetery (NRHP 2012) was the first formal burying ground in Franklin. The cemetery is on the east side of 4th Avenue North at North Margin Street. Adjacent to the City Cemetery, Rest Haven Cemetery (NRHP 2012) is a 7-acre cemetery at 324 4th Avenue North. The earliest burials at Rest Haven date from the 1840s though the cemetery was not formally established until 1855. The Mt. Hope Cemetery, established 20 FRANKLIN, TN | PRESERVATION PLAN
1875 at 608 Mt. Hope Street, is an active cemetery that abuts two sides of the Toussaint L’Overture County Cemetery (NRHP 1995) (known today as Toussaint L’Ouverture). The Toussaint L’Ouverture County Cemetery, whose first burials date from 1869, is considered the oldest continuously operating African American institution in the county. Antebellum agriculture and the Civil War are significant parts of Franklin’s history. Historic parks preserve some of Franklin’s open spaces and provide opportunities for education. Currently, Franklin operates ten historic parks, including the Eastern Flank Battlefield Park which preserves 110 acres of the Battle of Franklin (NRHP/NHL 1966). This park includes the Confederate Cemetery and is adjacent to the Collins Farm Park, which is part of Carnton. The remnants of Fort Granger (NRHP 1973), a military fortification built by the U.S. Army, are now part of a 14.5-acre park at 113 Fort Granger. East of downtown the park overlooks the city and is surrounded by trenches dug during the war. Likewise, Winstead Hill is now a 61-acre public park. Roper’s Knob (NRHP 2000) is owned by the City but is not yet accessible to the public. Harlinsdale Farm (NRHP 2006) at 239 Franklin Road was established before the Civil War and is most significant for breeding Tennessee Walking Horses in the mid-twentieth century. Before the Harlin Family purchased the land, the property had the William Maney farm on it, and where the Hayes House is located was the William Farmer place. Harlinsdale is best known as the home of Midnight Sun, the first repeat world Grand Champion and the sire of most champion Tennessee Walking Horses. Since 2004, the City has preserved the 200 acres for a public park. 21
Harrison House, an early nineteenth century Greek Revival-style house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 for its architecture and role as the Confederate Army’s mustering location prior to the assault at Franklin. It is also locally designated. Lotz House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976 for its architecture. It is near the Carter House and was close to the most intense areas of the battle. It is also locally designated. Collins Farm has a post-Civil War dwelling; however, the surviving cultural landscape is the location where Confederate troops came under heavy federal artillery fire from Fort Granger. Tennessee and Alabama Railroad Freight Depot circa 1858 was a regional transit point for troops and supplies. It was used to store ammunition during the siege and was burned by retreating federal troops but saved by residents and then used as a temporary hospital. It has been determined eligible for listing on the National Register. Civil War Resources The greater Franklin Battlefield was designated as a National Historic Landmark in December 1960. Within that boundary several other resources were included and designated as contributing to the battlefield’s significance including Carter House, Carnton Plantation and the McGavock Confederate Cemetery, Fort Granger and Winstead Hill. All National Historic Landmarks are de facto listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Fort Granger, Carnton Plantation, and Carter House are all locally designated and within the Historic Preservation Overlay (HPO). Notable remnants of the lives of enslaved Black people include a dwelling at the Carter House within the Franklin Battlefield Site (NRHP/NHL 1966) and a dwelling at Carnton (NRHP 1973). 22 FRANKLIN, TN | PRESERVATION PLAN
Breezy Hill was used as a Confederate observation point in addition to Winstead Hill, which is owned by the City. The Carter House and family cotton gin was the site of heavy combat in the Battle of Franklin. Alpheus Truett House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988 for its architecture and military history. The frame, Greek Revival-style house was a temporary headquarters for Maj. Gen. Schofield prior to its move to Fort Granger. Schofield observed Confederate troop movements from the second story porch. McPhail-Cliffe Office is a contributing resource in the Franklin National Register Historic District, listed in 1972. It served as Maj. Gen. Schofield’s first headquarters for the battle which eventually moved to Fort Granger. Eastern Flank Battlefield was either wooded or under agricultural cultivation when Confederate troops advanced across it during the Battle of Franklin. In later years it was the home of a country club but is now rehabilitated as a battlefield park. Roper’s Knob Fortifications were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000 as part of the Civil War Historic and Historic Archaeological Resources in Tennessee Multiple Property Submission. Built in 1863 this signal station built by U.S. forces is now largely an archaeological site, containing remains of a redoubt, blockhouse, entrenchment and abatis. 23
Other identified locations have been associated with troop movements and skirmishes that have been developed or have otherwise lost integrity such as the Parkway Commons Shopping Center/Ulman property on Columbia Pike or the Battle Ground Academy Campus on Columbia Avenue. There were 39 temporary hospital sites during the Battle of Franklin on November 30, 1864. These buildings were quickly transformed into field hospitals for tending to the wounded. Some buildings continued in use as hospitals for the next two weeks. The wide range of buildings included churches, shops, governmental buildings and private homes and were designated with a distinctive flag. • 328 Bridge St. (Walker-Baagoe House), ca. 1846 in Downtown Franklin Local Historic District, and Franklin National Register Historic District. • 402 Bridge St. (Walker-Halliburton House), ca. 1863 in Downtown Franklin Local Historic District, and Franklin National Register Historic District. • 143 5th Ave. S., ca. 1835 in Downtown Franklin Local Historic District, and Franklin National Register Historic District. • 244 1st Ave. S., (Bob Rainey House) ca. 1839 in Downtown Franklin Local Historic District, Franklin National Register Historic District, and individually listed on the National Register. • 136 4th Ave. N., ca. 1835 in Downtown Franklin Local Historic District, and Franklin National Register Historic District. • 217 4th Ave. N., ca. 1810 in Downtown Franklin Local Historic District, and Franklin National Register Historic District. • 135 4th Ave. S., ca. 1830 in Downtown Franklin Local Historic District, and Franklin National Register Historic District. • 209 Main St. E. (Dr. McPhail’s Office), ca. 1815 in Downtown Franklin Local Historic District, and Franklin National Register Historic District. • Williamson County Courthouse, 1858 in Downtown Franklin Local Historic District, and Franklin National Register Historic District. • 115 2nd Ave. S. (Hiram Masonic Lodge), ca. 1825 in Downtown Franklin Local Historic District, Franklin National Register Historic District, and individually listed as a National Historic Landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places. • 202 2nd Ave. S. (Clouston Hall), ca. 1821 in Downtown Franklin Local Historic District, and Franklin National Register Historic District. • 211 2nd Ave. S. (Bearden-Robinson House), ca. 1838 in Downtown Franklin Local Historic District, and Franklin National Register Historic District. • 217 2nd Ave. S. (Davis-Still House), ca. 1810 in Downtown Franklin Local Historic District, and Franklin National Register Historic District. • 236 2nd Ave. S. (Eelbeck-Johnson Office), ca. 1820 in Downtown Franklin Local Historic District, and Franklin National Register Historic District. • 117 3rd Ave. N., ca. 1815 in Downtown Franklin Local Historic District, and Franklin National Register Historic District. • 118 3rd Ave. N. (Maney-Gault House), ca. 1828 in Downtown Franklin Local Historic District, and Franklin National Register Historic District. • 125 3rd Ave. N. (John Eaton House), ca. 1818 in Downtown Franklin Local Historic District, and Franklin National Register Historic District. • 137 3rd Ave. N., ca. 1820 in Downtown Franklin Local Historic District, and Franklin National Register Historic District. 24 FRANKLIN, TN | PRESERVATION PLAN
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