HISTORY

How about everyone helping me out on this?  I need pictures, stories and more information about these businesses, churches, etc.  that were in Franklin at one time or another.  Also can you add to the list?  I'll be doing more research and getting more history to add also.  Does anyone know the years any of these were in operation?
 Anyone with information, stories, photos, memories, history or just about anything that relates to Franklin that you'd be willing to share please send them to me and I'll be happy to post them.   Please send me an e-mail.   All originals will be returned.
We also have a beautiful display case in our new community center.   If you have any historical documents or items that you would like to donate for display please e-mail me and we can make arrrangements to receive those.   You will be donating them to the non-profit organization of Franklin Community Council, Inc. Your name (or family name) will be displayed with the item/items you have donated. All items will be on display and preserved for future generations.  

Visit  "Memories"  for stories about the early days of Franklin.

 Also read stories written by Betty Kissee Strickland Lawson .
Betty was kind enough to share excerpts from her book.  The stories are a wonderful reflection of early days in Franklin, Kansas.

Milestones in Franklin
(Go to "Community Events" to see photos of other activities)

2007 March 16,2007   Community Center Debt reduced to $0 June 23-24  Centennial Celebration
2003	2004 April 22       Earth Day - Presentation of Award by USDA Rural Development April 30   Arbor Day (Planting of Trees along Broadway) May 3   Remembrance Day (1st anniversary remembrance service ) “Remembering the Past - Looking to the Future” June 21-25:  St.Philip Neri historical items removed from church August 23   St. Philip Neri Church Demolition	2005 February 26 Community Center Groundbreaking August 12  Dedication of Welcome Sign August 29   Community Work Day - Building the barbeque pit September 21  Building of Bocce Court October 2  Roof Raising (Shelter at Park) November 6  Community Center Ribbon Cutting & Dedication	2006 March 8   Franklin installs storm siren April 6  Rural Water District #7 awarded "Most Improved Water District" in State of Kansas August 26   Winner of a national contest (Neighborhood Salute) sponsored by Edy's Ice Cream. November 18  Franklin Sidewalk listed on  State Historic Register

BUSINESSES Battitori's Garage Bruffy Brothers Casey Drug System Mazzareno Ceccotty Crowe Company Store Dobrauc's    John Dollar Hall Charles Ferrero Meats Fox Brothers Grocery and Meat Market Franklin Garage French's Fort George Frere Grocery and Meat  Dr. C. M. Gibson Ginardi's Corner  Charles Glenn Barbershop  Gregory Restaurant Burt Guistetto (big Bert) Butcher Shop James K. Hershman Billiards Hotel/Dance Hall Ice Cream Parlor J & P Railroad Karlinger's Grocery Dr. Keller Orville Kelly Auto Wrecking K G & E Kranker's Dance Hall and Pool Hall LaSota's Dance Hall Livery Stable Dinah Logan Boarding House Manci Brothers Mariotti and Angeli Hank Marietta's Store Joe Miliken Barber Shop M. Minelli Grocery Mining Mullen and Craig Filling Station Open Air Dance Hall P. Palango Pinsart Shoe Shop Frank Prete Barber Shop Reniger's Dance Hall Leopold "Lay" Rons Barber Shop Simoncic (Semoncig) Butcher Shop Steve's Place Theatre Trolley/Street Car Union Cooperative Union Hall Nick Vignatelli's Gas Station, Restaurant and Beer Bar Western Coal and Mining Co. Western Coal Mining Company Store  Whitehead Restaurant

COMMUNITY/ORGANIZATIONS/GOVERNMENT Army of Amazons Community Hall  Cukjati Farm General History Post Office    Sidewalk - Guiness World Record Holder & Road Projects SNPJ UMWA (United Mine Workers Association) MUSIC Cukjati Band Lipasek Synchopaters EARLY FAMILIES Family Photos (these are photos & stories of families sorted alphabetically) Group Gatherings  (this will take you to a photo album of the past) Sausage Making Days CHURCHES M. E. Church St. Philip Neri Methodist Church New Life Baptist Church CITIZENSHIP Study done by Eula Marie James, July, 1943 titled  "Seven Years Experience in Adult Alien Education at Franklin, Kansas" Photo of Citizenship Class SCHOOLS, TEACHERS AND SPORTS School Photos (Buildings, Teachers, Sports, Activities)

The WPA Guide to 1930s Kansas
(published 1984)

-----more to come!!

Franklin Main Page

E-mail: franklinkansas@yahoo.com