Franklin, Indiana
Encyclopedia
As of the census
of 2000, there were 19,463 people, 6,824 households, and 4,872 families residing in the city. The population increased by more than 50% during the 1990s (see table at right), with new residents attracted by jobs in the community, as well as some people commuting to Indianapolis for work. The population density
was 1728.1 PD/sqmi. There were 7,432 housing units at an average density of 659.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 96.7% White, 1.2% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.59% from other races
, and 0.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.31% of the population.
Later census data (2006) show 21,972 population, 98.3% white.
There were 6,824 households out of which 37.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.7% were married couples
living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.6% were non-families. 23.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 11.5% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 16.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 88.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $45,414, and the median income for a family was $52,304. Males had a median income of $37,509 versus $25,601 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $18,937. About 4.5% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.7% of those under age 18 and 10.3% of those age 65 or over.
, KYB and Mitsubishi
. The city has worked to strengthen its international connections. Franklin is home of the first Ritters Frozen Custard, which became a national brand.
Downtown Franklin is noted for the number of well-maintained, older houses and early brick streets. Landmark buildings include the Johnson County Courthouse and the Artcraft Theatre
. Due west of the Artcraft is City Hall, a Colonial Revival building constructed in 1936 to be used as a post office. It was designed by architect Louis A. Simon
under Postmaster General James Farley
. It was the original site of a federally commissioned Works Progress Administration
(WPA) mural painted by Franklin artist Jean Swiggett, who started his career during the difficult years of the Great Depression
. The WPA work was moved to the "new" post office when it was built by the federal government. In the 1980s, a private non-profit group, Franklin Heritage, Inc., was formed by citizens to preserve and restore its historic assets for new purposes. It now owns the Artcraft Theatre and is making it a community center for film, art, and special events.
The Franklin Parks and Recreation Department maintains several miles of walking trails through the city, which connect various parks, community centers, the public library, and the public pool. Due to flood damage, the long park along the creeks was closed for the summer of 2008.
The city is the site of Franklin College, a four-year liberal arts college established in 1838 and the first in the state to admit women. Its students add to the life of the town and college events are open to the community.
The Franklin Daily Journal is the local newspaper in Franklin and also covers news in all of Johnson County.
magazine included a photo essay by Bernard Hoffman
entitled, "A Small Town's Saturday Night", depicting farmer Glen Dunn and family on a typical Saturday night in Franklin: Dad getting a hair cut, and the kids seeing a movie at the "Artcraft", people at the drugstore, as well as photos of other social spots, such as Nick's Candy Kitchen and the town's "lovers' lane". The nighttime photo showing double-parked cars and thick crowds on Jefferson Street is perhaps the best known of the set. According to the late-20th century critic James Guimond in his book on American photography,
. A small group who had played together as boys, led by Fuzzy Vandivier
and coached by Ernest "Griz" Wagner, they became the first high school team to win the state championship for three consecutive years (1920–22). The youths followed Wagner to the local Franklin College, where he became coach and they were earned the title of national college champions in 1923. They turned down an offer to play against the top professional team, the New York Celtics
.
since October 1960 Luqiao
, China
since April 2010
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 19,463 people, 6,824 households, and 4,872 families residing in the city. The population increased by more than 50% during the 1990s (see table at right), with new residents attracted by jobs in the community, as well as some people commuting to Indianapolis for work. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1728.1 PD/sqmi. There were 7,432 housing units at an average density of 659.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 96.7% White, 1.2% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.59% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.31% of the population.
Later census data (2006) show 21,972 population, 98.3% white.
There were 6,824 households out of which 37.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.7% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.6% were non-families. 23.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 11.5% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 16.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 88.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $45,414, and the median income for a family was $52,304. Males had a median income of $37,509 versus $25,601 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $18,937. About 4.5% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.7% of those under age 18 and 10.3% of those age 65 or over.
Attractions and Economy
Several major international companies have operations in the city: Toyota, NSKNSK
The acronym NSK has several meanings:* NSK , a Romanian electronic music band co-formed by Electric Brother* Neue Slowenische Kunst, a Slovenian art collective* Japan Sumo Association, Nihon Sumo Kyokai...
, KYB and Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi
The Mitsubishi Group , Mitsubishi Group of Companies, or Mitsubishi Companies is a Japanese multinational conglomerate company that consists of a range of autonomous businesses which share the Mitsubishi brand, trademark and legacy...
. The city has worked to strengthen its international connections. Franklin is home of the first Ritters Frozen Custard, which became a national brand.
Downtown Franklin is noted for the number of well-maintained, older houses and early brick streets. Landmark buildings include the Johnson County Courthouse and the Artcraft Theatre
Artcraft Theatre
The Artcraft Theatre is a classic grand movie theater in downtown Franklin, Indiana. It was built in 1922 in an Art Deco style, and was used for vaudeville and silent movies. The theater was one of the first in the area to feature cool air when it installed a swamp cooler. It served as a full-time...
. Due west of the Artcraft is City Hall, a Colonial Revival building constructed in 1936 to be used as a post office. It was designed by architect Louis A. Simon
Office of the Supervising Architect
The Office of the Supervising Architect was an agency of the United States Treasury Department that designed federal government buildings from 1852 to 1939....
under Postmaster General James Farley
James Farley
James Aloysius Farley was the first Irish Catholic politician in American history to achieve success on a national level, serving as Chairman of the New York State Democratic Committee, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee and as Postmaster General simultaneously under the first two...
. It was the original site of a federally commissioned Works Progress Administration
Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...
(WPA) mural painted by Franklin artist Jean Swiggett, who started his career during the difficult years of the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
. The WPA work was moved to the "new" post office when it was built by the federal government. In the 1980s, a private non-profit group, Franklin Heritage, Inc., was formed by citizens to preserve and restore its historic assets for new purposes. It now owns the Artcraft Theatre and is making it a community center for film, art, and special events.
The Franklin Parks and Recreation Department maintains several miles of walking trails through the city, which connect various parks, community centers, the public library, and the public pool. Due to flood damage, the long park along the creeks was closed for the summer of 2008.
The city is the site of Franklin College, a four-year liberal arts college established in 1838 and the first in the state to admit women. Its students add to the life of the town and college events are open to the community.
The Franklin Daily Journal is the local newspaper in Franklin and also covers news in all of Johnson County.
Government
The government consists of a mayor and a city council of seven members. The mayor is elected by citywide vote. Five city council members are elected from individual districts, and two are elected at-large.Life magazine feature
The December 2, 1940 issue of LifeLife (magazine)
Life generally refers to three American magazines:*A humor and general interest magazine published from 1883 to 1936. Time founder Henry Luce bought the magazine in 1936 solely so that he could acquire the rights to its name....
magazine included a photo essay by Bernard Hoffman
Bernard Hoffman
Bernard Hoffman was an American photographer and documentary photographer. The bulk of his photographic journalism was done during the first 18 years of the revamped Life magazine, starting in 1936. During this time he produced many photo essays, including a shoot with Carl Sandburg in 1938...
entitled, "A Small Town's Saturday Night", depicting farmer Glen Dunn and family on a typical Saturday night in Franklin: Dad getting a hair cut, and the kids seeing a movie at the "Artcraft", people at the drugstore, as well as photos of other social spots, such as Nick's Candy Kitchen and the town's "lovers' lane". The nighttime photo showing double-parked cars and thick crowds on Jefferson Street is perhaps the best known of the set. According to the late-20th century critic James Guimond in his book on American photography,
"Since Life wanted a perfect Saturday night, and one they considered typical, the photographer did not select a town still blighted by the DepressionGreat DepressionThe Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
... What Lifes readers wanted, it seemed, was a stereotyped village that confirmed their nostalgic beliefs about small towns in which no one is bored, poor, or lonely; and the magazine's photographers and editors - like Norman RockwellNorman RockwellNorman Percevel Rockwell was a 20th-century American painter and illustrator. His works enjoy a broad popular appeal in the United States for their reflection of American culture. Rockwell is most famous for the cover illustrations of everyday life scenarios he created for The Saturday Evening...
in his Saturday Evening Post covers - gave them exactly that kind of town."
Franklin Wonder Five
The small town became nationally famous during the 1920s due to the outstanding athletic achievements of the local high school basketball team, who became known as the Franklin Wonder FiveFranklin Wonder Five
The Franklin Wonder Five was a 1920s basketball team from Indiana's "Hoosier Hysteria" era. With basketball king in Indiana, the team from Franklin was dubbed the “Wonder Five”. This small town about 20 miles south of Indianapolis produced a team that captured the Indiana State Basketball...
. A small group who had played together as boys, led by Fuzzy Vandivier
Fuzzy Vandivier
Robert P. "Fuzzy" Vandivier was a well-known high school and collegiate basketball player during the 1920s...
and coached by Ernest "Griz" Wagner, they became the first high school team to win the state championship for three consecutive years (1920–22). The youths followed Wagner to the local Franklin College, where he became coach and they were earned the title of national college champions in 1923. They turned down an offer to play against the top professional team, the New York Celtics
Original Celtics
The Original Celtics were a barnstorming professional basketball team in the 1920s. There is no relation to the modern Boston Celtics. The Original Celtics are often credited with extending the reach of basketball across America and for establishing the importance of aggressive defensive play...
.
Notable natives and residents
- Steve AlfordSteve AlfordStephen Todd Alford is a retired American basketball player and the current head coach of the University of New Mexico Lobos men's basketball team...
, current University of New MexicoUniversity of New MexicoThe University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution...
basketball coach - Clinton Lycurgus Armstrong, (b. 1844) Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipient for the Siege of Vicksburg during the American Civil WarAmerican Civil WarThe American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25... - Roger D. BraniginRoger D. BraniginRoger Douglas Branigin was the 42nd Governor of the U.S. state of Indiana from January 11, 1965 to January 13, 1969...
, governor of Indiana (1965–1969) - Anthony J. BryantAnthony J. Bryant-Biography:Anthony J. Bryant is the author of four books for Osprey Military Publishing on samurai history. He is an historian of Japan specializing in Kamakura, Muromachi, and Momoyama period warrior culture. His areas of interest also include Heian-period court structure and society and Japanese...
, historian of Japan and translator - George CroweGeorge CroweGeorge Daniel Crowe was a Major League first baseman. He attended Franklin High School in Franklin, Indiana, graduated from Indiana Central College, now the University of Indianapolis, in 1943 and played baseball and basketball. He was the first Indiana "Mr. Basketball"...
, was the first Indiana Mr. Basketball in 1939, and played professional baseball with a variety of teams - Hal FryarHal FryarHal Fryar is an actor and television personality. He rose to prominence as Harlow Hickenlooper, the host of The Three Stooges Show on Channel 6 in Indianapolis, Indiana....
, actor and television personality - Marjorie MainMarjorie MainMarjorie Main was an American character actress, mainly at MGM, perhaps best known for her role as Ma Kettle in a series of ten Ma and Pa Kettle movies.-Early life and career:...
, actress, well-known for her role as "Ma Kettle" in the Ma and Pa KettleMa and Pa KettleMa and Pa Kettle are comic film characters of the successful film series of the same name, produced by Universal Studios, in the late '40s and '50s. They are a hillbilly couple with fifteen children whose lives turn upside-down when they win a model-home-of-the-future in a slogan-writing contest...
movies - Jon McGlocklinJon McGlocklinJon P. McGlocklin is an American former professional basketball player.A sharpshooting 6'5" guard from Indiana University, McGlockin was selected by the Cincinnati Royals in the third round of the 1965 NBA Draft, but he is best known for his 8-season tenure with the Milwaukee Bucks, with whom he...
, professional basketball player and inducted to three honorary sports associations - Paul V. McNuttPaul V. McNuttPaul Vories McNutt was an American politician who served as the 34th Governor of Indiana during the Great Depression, high commissioner to the Philippines, administrator of the Federal Security Agency, chairman of the War Manpower Commission and ambassador to the Philippines.-Family and...
, governor of Indiana (1933–1937) - Jon SchafferJon SchafferJon Ryan Schaffer is a heavy metal guitarist and songwriter. He is the founder of the heavy metal band Iced Earth. He was nominated for the title "Riff Lord" at the 2008 Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards.-Biography:...
, founder and leader of Iced EarthIced EarthIced Earth is an American heavy metal band from Tampa, Florida. Originally formed under the name "Purgatory" in 1984, Iced Earth has released a total of ten studio albums, one live album, three EP's, two compilations and boxsets...
Heavy metalHeavy metal musicHeavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band - Max TerhuneMax TerhuneMax Terhune , was an American film actor. He appeared in nearly 70 films, mostly B-westerns, between 1936 and 1956....
, film actor, appearing in the National Barn DanceNational Barn DanceNational Barn Dance, broadcast by WLS-AM in Chicago, Illinois starting in 1924, was one of the first American country music radio programs and a direct precursor of the Grand Ole Opry...
(1933) with Gene AutryGene AutryOrvon Grover Autry , better known as Gene Autry, was an American performer who gained fame as The Singing Cowboy on the radio, in movies and on television for more than three decades beginning in the 1930s... - Forrest TuckerForrest TuckerForrest Tucker was an American actor in both movies and television from the 1940s to the 1980s. Tucker, who stood 190 cm tall and weighed 93 kg , appeared in nearly 100 action films in the 1940s and 1950s.-Early life:Forrest Meredith Tucker was born in Plainfield, Indiana, a son of...
, film and television actor, appearing in F-Troop among other shows - Fuzzy VandivierFuzzy VandivierRobert P. "Fuzzy" Vandivier was a well-known high school and collegiate basketball player during the 1920s...
, basketball player, elected to Basketball Hall of FameBasketball Hall of FameThe Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, located in Springfield, Massachusetts, United States, honors exceptional basketball players, coaches, referees, executives, and other major contributors to the game of basketball worldwide... - Gene WhiteGene WhiteGene White was one of the original members of the 1954 Milan, Indiana championship basketball team that inspired the film Hoosiers.At 5'11" White played center for the Milan Indians. White's family owned a local feed store, and his mother sold some of the family's chickens to fund a trip to...
, basketball player for the 1954 state champion Milan Indians (inspiration for the movie HoosiersHoosiersHoosiers is a 1986 sports film about a small-town Indiana high school basketball team that wins the state championship. It is loosely based on the Milan High School team that won the 1954 state championship....
)
Sister cities
Franklin currently has two sister cities: Kuji, JapanJapan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
since October 1960 Luqiao
Luqiao
Luqiao may refer to the following places in China:*Luqiao District , Taizhou, Zhejiang*Luqiao, Dingyuan County , town in Dingyuan County, Anhui*Luqiao, Weishan County, Shandong , town in Weishan County, Shandong...
, China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
since April 2010