Discovering Franklin, North Carolina

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2008-05-31T13:21:00.001-07:00

Macon County Historical Museum

2008-05-30T14:37:00.001-07:00

The Macon County Historical Museum
36 West Main Street
Franklin

The Macon County Historical Society was formed in 1946 by a group of Macon County residents. The Historical Society purchased the Pendergrass Building in 1988. Visitors to the museum will see Civil War artifacts, hand-crafted rifles, hand-made quilts, tools, farm implements and many documents and photos that are part of Franklin's history.

Museum Hours

November - April

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday

1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday

May - October

10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday - Friday

1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday

Other hours available by appointment

by K.R.

Confederate Statue

2008-05-30T14:26:00.002-07:00

The Statue at Rankin Square in downtown Franklin was erected in memory of The Sons of Macon County who served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War, 1861-1865.

Confederate veterans, led by Major N.D. Rankin, came together in November 1903 and formed the Macon County Monument Association. The veterans worked together to honor their Civil War brothers.

The monument was unveiled in 1909. It weighs 35,000 pounds and is made of 26 Italian marble stones measuring 25 feet high with a 6 foot statue of a soldier on top.

by M. D.

Franklin Gem and Mineral Museum at the Old Jail

2008-05-30T14:23:00.002-07:00

The Franklin Gem and Mineral Museum
25 Phillips Street
Franklin, North Carolina
http://www.fgmm.org/

The Gem Museum is housed in Franklin's old jail.
Admission is free- donations support the museum.

Open May - October

Monday-Friday 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Saturday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Visitors to the museum will get a look at the original jail cell known as "the slammer". Gem and mineral displays feature the North Carolina room of rocks and minerals, an Australian Opal, Indian artifacts and the fossil room. The fluorescent room houses a special collection of rocks that glow with rainbow quality light. The greatest gem of them all is a 2 1/4 pound ruby.

by V. M.

Historic Rickman Store

2008-05-30T14:23:00.001-07:00

The store was originally built by John Hall in 1895. W.H. Bryson sold the store to Mr. Rickman in 1925. For nearly 70 years, Tom Rickman operated his store in the Cowee Community offering groceries, cloth, hardware products and other dry goods to his customers.

Currently, this historic building is owned by the Land Trust for Little Tennessee Preserves.

To see the store, visitors should follow Hwy. 28 north of Franklin to Cowee Creek Road turning right at Cowee Creek and driving just past the Cowee Baptist Church. The store is on the right side of the road.

by D.M.

The Greenway

2008-05-30T14:22:00.000-07:00

The Greenway
The Greenway at the Little Tennessee River is the results of local people coming together with Duke Power to restore the river and reduce erosion while establishing natural areas along the river. Duke Power Company owns the land and made it available for Friends of the Greenway (FROGS) to develop trails and park like settings for visitors to enjoy. In addition to Big Bear Park there is Suli Marsh, Morris Trace, and Old Airport Trail running along the river.

Friends of the Greenway operate FROG Quarters at 573 East Main Street in Franklin. Stop by for information, picnic shelter reservations or grab a cup of coffee or a smoothie while you're there. Local arts and crafts plus free Internet access are available.

by A.R.Y.

The Clock Tower

2008-05-30T11:53:00.000-07:00

The Clock Tower

The Clock Tower was part of the orginal Macon County Courthouse Tower. It was built at its current site by The LBJ Conservation Center and the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture working together with the U.S. Forest Service Department of Labor in 1985.

The Renaissance Carillon System was given by the Harry Neal Family. It is in memory of Bobbie B. Neal and his wife and mother. They wanted this bell music to bring comfort to other people who have lost love ones.

The Franklin Garden Club plants the flowers around the tower and the waterfall.

by L.A.W.

The Museum at the Wilderness Taxidermy

2008-05-08T11:11:00.000-07:00

The Museum at the Wilderness Taxidermy

5040 Highlands Road, Franklin

A collection of unique animals from all around the world are on display. Visitors will see a brown bear, a lion, a polar bear, a hippopotamus head, a water buffalo head, a wild boar head, Zebra skins, a moose head and a gazelle. A wildlife art gallery loaded with photos created by nationally recognized wildlife artists are part of the museum's collection. The museum is open everyday except Wednesday and Sunday. Hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Saturdays are 8:00 AM to 12:00 Noon.

by A.T.

The Dixie Hall

2008-05-06T12:01:00.000-07:00

The

Dixie Hall

The Dixie Hall was a large private home in downtown Franklin west of where the current courthouse now stands. At one time it was a boarding house. During the Civil War it was the private residence of Julius Thomas Siler, a captain in the Confederate Army. On May 12, 1865 one of the rooms in the house was the setting of the last Confederate surrender of the Civil War in Western North Carolina. The Dixie Hall was torn down to allow for construction of the current courthouse and its annex.

Visitors can find out more about the Dixie Hall by visiting the Civil War Marker on Main Street in front of the courthouse, across from the Macon County Historical Museum.

by M.L.

Nikawsi Indian Mound

2008-05-06T11:46:00.000-07:00

Nikwasi Indian Mound

The Nikawsi Indian Mound is located near the Little Tennessee River and marks the spot of the Cherokee Town of Nikawsi, now Franklin. The Cherokee Indians believed that the spirits lived under the mound. Important meetings where held there including a council with Sir Alexander Cumming and the Nikawsi Indians which led to a treaty in 1730. The Nikawsi Mound is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

by Z.K.

What's Happening in Franklin

2008-05-01T11:13:00.000-07:00

425 Porter Street, Franklin

October 9-11, 2008 Autumn Leaves Craft Show
October 16-18, 2008 15th Annual Smoky Mountain Art & Craft Fest
October 17, 2008 The 19th Annual Leaf Lookers' Gemboree
October 24-25, 2008 Pumpkin Fest*
November 28-29, 2008 Mistletoe Magic Holiday Art & Craft Show
November 28-29, 2008 Mountain Artisans' Hard Candy Christmas Art & Craft Show
November 28, 2008 Tree lighting ceremony at the clock tower.

* Don't miss the nationally known pumpkin roll!

by L.N.T.

Perry's Water Gardens

2008-05-01T05:26:00.000-07:00

Perry's Water Gardens

136 Gibson Aquatic Farm Road

Franklin

Perry D. Slocum established the water gardens in 1980. His hardy water lilies and lotus flowers are known all over the world. The gardens are planted in sunken ponds on 12 acres in the Cowee Valley area. Mr. Slocum earned a place in the Lily Hall of Fame in 1986. He was president of the International Lily Society from 1988-1989.

by A.S.

Ruby City Gem Museum

2008-04-30T11:27:00.000-07:00

Ruby City Gem Museum

130 East Main Street

This museum is the home of the world's largest sapphire at 162 carats and weighing 385 pounds. On display visitors will find an authentic shrunken head, local Indian arrowheads and tools, ivory carvings, rare gems and pre-Columbian artifacts.

by B.P.S

The Pendergrass Building

2008-04-30T10:13:00.000-07:00

The Pendergrass Building was originally built by Rev. Jesse R. Pendergrass in 1904. The store sold items such as groceries, dry goods, notions, and school supplies for the next 70 years. The Pendergrass Building at 36 West Main Street in Franklin is now the home of the Macon County Historical Museum. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

by C.H.