Franklin, Virginia
Encyclopedia
Franklin is an independent city
in Virginia
. The Bureau of Economic Analysis
combines the city of Franklin with Southampton
county for statistical purposes. The population was 8,582 in 2010.
in North Carolina
.
In 1862 the American Civil War
came to Franklin, in what was referred to as the Joint Expedition Against Franklin
As several United States Navy
Flag steamships, led by the USS Commodore Perry, tried to pass through Franklin on the Blackwater River, a band of local Confederates
opened fire on the ships. As stated by an officer aboard one of the ships, "The fighting was the same—Here and there high banks with dense foliage, a narrow and very crooked stream, with frequent heavy firing of musketry." In all, the battle yielded five naval casualites and 16 wounded. As the naval vessels retreated, the Confederates tried to block the narrow Blackwater River by felling large trees across the width. In the end, the Confederate attempts failed as no soldiers were captured and no ships were lost. A total of 7 Medals of Honor
were awarded to individual seamen for their distinguished service.
brought the Camp Family back to financial success, bringing along with it the city of Franklin. By 1918, "Tiny Franklin had become a booming wartime village..." By 1955, the Camp Corporation's annual sales reached $28 million, much of which they spread throughout the city of Franklin. The Camp family with a strong sense of family and community gave much back to the city of Franklin through above average wages and generous donations to local causes. On May 29, 1956, the residents of Franklin were informed that the Local Camp Manufacturing Corporation had just negotiated a merger with the Union Bag and Paper company operating out of New York
. This merger formed the Union Camp Corporation
, locally known as Union Camp. Union Camp thrived in Franklin until 1999 when it was acquired by International Paper
. Even though Union Camp no longer exists in Franklin, the Camp Family name lives on. Their legacy is most notable in the community, with the community college Paul D. Camp Community College, the James L Camp Jr. YMCA
, the Texie Camp Marks Children's Center, and The Ruth Camp Campbell Memorial Library
.
and manufacturing
. Franklin is listed as being the 13th most profitable and 12th largest farming community in the state. The neighboring communities Southampton
County, Isle of Wight
County and the City of Suffolk
are all ranked in the top 20 most profitable farming counties, with Southampton County being the 8th largest in the state. With the high agricultural profile of Franklin and the surrounding areas, it is no surprise that Agriculture is the primary industry for the city. It was not until the opening of the Camp Lumber Mill in 1887 that the manufacturing sector began to expand. The Camp Lumber Mill became the Union Camp Corporation
which was eventually bought by International Paper
. Today, the International Paper
Paper Mill
located on the eastern boundary of the city, aside the Blackwater River
, produces lumber
, pulp and paper
products and other chemical by-products.
International Paper announced on October 22, 2009 that the paper mill will be permanently closed in the spring of 2010. This occurred in May 2010.
As of the census
of 2010, there were 8,582 people, 3,384 households, and 2,277 families residing in the city. The population density
was 999.2 people per square mile (385.9/km²). There were 3,767 housing units at an average density of 451.0 per square mile (174.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 39.4% White, 56.9% Black or African American
, 0.3% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.7% from other races
, and 1.9% from two or more races. 1.6% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 3,384 households out of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.8% were married couples
living together, 21.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.1% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 79.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,687, and the median income for a family was $40,299. Males had a median income of $32,083 versus $21,927 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $18,573. About 16.8% of families and 19.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.9% of those under age 18 and 10.2% of those age 65 or over.
Franklin is located at 36°40′29"N 76°55′50"W (36.674954, -76.930799).
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 8.4 square miles (21.8 km²), of which, 8.4 square miles (21.8 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (0.60%) is water.
The Blackwater River
, running along the eastern boundary of the city played an important role in the industrialization of the city, but has not been immune to problems plaguing rivers, most notably flooding. In 1999, in the aftermath of Hurricane Floyd
, downtown Franklin was submerged under as much as 12 feet of water as the Blackwater River
swelled to a new historical crest at 26.4 feet. The hurricane flooding caused the submersion of 182 business and 150 homes located primarily in downtown. In 2006, after a rain storm left the area saturated, the Blackwater River
crested at close to 23 feet, the highest crest since 1940 excluding the flood in 1999
Ironically, when the hurricane name "Floyd" was retired in 2000, the name chosen as a replacement was Franklin. In 2006, Franklin endured another large-scale flood reaching just below the record 23 foot water line set from the 1999 flood. The flood was the result of a storm which distributed a large amount of water throughout the watershed in which Franklin resides.
Independent city
An independent city is a city that does not form part of another general-purpose local government entity. These type of cities should not be confused with city-states , which are fully sovereign cities that are not part of any other sovereign state.-Historical precursors:In the Holy Roman Empire,...
in Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. The Bureau of Economic Analysis
Bureau of Economic Analysis
The Bureau of Economic Analysis is an agency in the United States Department of Commerce that provides important economic statistics including the gross domestic product of the United States. Its stated mission is to "promote a better understanding of the U.S...
combines the city of Franklin with Southampton
Southampton County, Virginia
As of the census of 2010, there were 18,570 people, 6,279 households, and 4,502 families residing in the county. The population density was 29 people per square mile . There were 7,058 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile...
county for statistical purposes. The population was 8,582 in 2010.
History
The city of Franklin had its humble beginnings in the 1830s as a railroad stop along the Blackwater River. During this era, the Blackwater River was used to transport goods to and from the Albemarle SoundAlbemarle Sound
Albemarle Sound is a large estuary on the coast of North Carolina in the United States located at the confluence of a group of rivers, including the Chowan and Roanoke. It is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by the Outer Banks, a long barrier peninsula upon which the town of Kitty Hawk is located,...
in North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
.
The Civil War
American Civil War
The 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...
came to Franklin, in what was referred to as the Joint Expedition Against Franklin
Joint Expedition Against Franklin
The Joint Expedition Against Franklin was a joint engagement between the United States Army & Navy against the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. The engagement was intended to move Union forces into an area where Confederate forces were gathering as they prepared to move on...
As several United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
Flag steamships, led by the USS Commodore Perry, tried to pass through Franklin on the Blackwater River, a band of local Confederates
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
opened fire on the ships. As stated by an officer aboard one of the ships, "The fighting was the same—Here and there high banks with dense foliage, a narrow and very crooked stream, with frequent heavy firing of musketry." In all, the battle yielded five naval casualites and 16 wounded. As the naval vessels retreated, the Confederates tried to block the narrow Blackwater River by felling large trees across the width. In the end, the Confederate attempts failed as no soldiers were captured and no ships were lost. A total of 7 Medals of Honor
Medal of Honor
The 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...
were awarded to individual seamen for their distinguished service.
Industrialization and the Camp family
It was not until 1887 that Franklin began to see significant growth. Six brothers from the Camp Family, with local roots, took possession of a local saw mill. The sawmill was small and had been operating for several years alongside the Blackwater River With the Camp family's acquisition of the mill, it experienced 20 years of rapid growth under the leadership of Paul Douglas Camp(President), James Leonidas Camp(Vice-president) and Robert Judson Camp(Secretary-treasurer). At the end of this period, after bout with near bankruptcy, World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
brought the Camp Family back to financial success, bringing along with it the city of Franklin. By 1918, "Tiny Franklin had become a booming wartime village..." By 1955, the Camp Corporation's annual sales reached $28 million, much of which they spread throughout the city of Franklin. The Camp family with a strong sense of family and community gave much back to the city of Franklin through above average wages and generous donations to local causes. On May 29, 1956, the residents of Franklin were informed that the Local Camp Manufacturing Corporation had just negotiated a merger with the Union Bag and Paper company operating out of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. This merger formed the Union Camp Corporation
Union Camp Corporation
Union Camp Corporation was an American pulp and paper company and a private owner of timberland in the United States. In 1999 it was acquired by International Paper.-Company creation:...
, locally known as Union Camp. Union Camp thrived in Franklin until 1999 when it was acquired by International Paper
International Paper
International Paper Company is an American pulp and paper company, the largest such company in the world. It has approximately 59,500 employees, and it is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee.-History:...
. Even though Union Camp no longer exists in Franklin, the Camp Family name lives on. Their legacy is most notable in the community, with the community college Paul D. Camp Community College, the James L Camp Jr. YMCA
YMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
, the Texie Camp Marks Children's Center, and The Ruth Camp Campbell Memorial Library
Library
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
.
Economy
Modern day Franklin has two major industrial sectors which are agricultureAgriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
and manufacturing
Manufacturing
Manufacturing is the use of machines, tools and labor to produce goods for use or sale. The term may refer to a range of human activity, from handicraft to high tech, but is most commonly applied to industrial production, in which raw materials are transformed into finished goods on a large scale...
. Franklin is listed as being the 13th most profitable and 12th largest farming community in the state. The neighboring communities Southampton
Southampton County, Virginia
As of the census of 2010, there were 18,570 people, 6,279 households, and 4,502 families residing in the county. The population density was 29 people per square mile . There were 7,058 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile...
County, Isle of Wight
Isle of Wight County, Virginia
As of the census of 2010, there were 35,270 people, 11,319 households, and 8,670 families residing in the county. The population density was 94 people per square mile . There were 12,066 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile...
County and the City of Suffolk
Suffolk, Virginia
Suffolk is the largest city by area in Virginia, United States, and is located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 84,585. Its median household income was $57,546.-History:...
are all ranked in the top 20 most profitable farming counties, with Southampton County being the 8th largest in the state. With the high agricultural profile of Franklin and the surrounding areas, it is no surprise that Agriculture is the primary industry for the city. It was not until the opening of the Camp Lumber Mill in 1887 that the manufacturing sector began to expand. The Camp Lumber Mill became the Union Camp Corporation
Union Camp Corporation
Union Camp Corporation was an American pulp and paper company and a private owner of timberland in the United States. In 1999 it was acquired by International Paper.-Company creation:...
which was eventually bought by International Paper
International Paper
International Paper Company is an American pulp and paper company, the largest such company in the world. It has approximately 59,500 employees, and it is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee.-History:...
. Today, the International Paper
International Paper
International Paper Company is an American pulp and paper company, the largest such company in the world. It has approximately 59,500 employees, and it is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee.-History:...
Paper Mill
Paper mill
A paper mill is a factory devoted to making paper from vegetable fibres such as wood pulp, old rags and other ingredients using a Fourdrinier machine or other type of paper machine.- History :...
located on the eastern boundary of the city, aside the Blackwater River
Blackwater River (Chowan River)
The Blackwater River of southeastern Virginia flows from its source near the city of Petersburg, Virginia for about 105 miles through the Inner Coastal Plain region of Virginia . The Blackwater joins the Nottoway River to form the Chowan River, which empties into Albemarle Sound...
, produces lumber
Lumber
Lumber or timber is wood in any of its stages from felling through readiness for use as structural material for construction, or wood pulp for paper production....
, pulp and paper
Pulp and Paper
Pulp and Paper is the name of the largest United States-based trade magazine for the pulp and paper industry. See also: Paper engineering, Pulp and Paper Merit Badge...
products and other chemical by-products.
International Paper announced on October 22, 2009 that the paper mill will be permanently closed in the spring of 2010. This occurred in May 2010.
Demographics
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 2010, there were 8,582 people, 3,384 households, and 2,277 families residing in the city. 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 999.2 people per square mile (385.9/km²). There were 3,767 housing units at an average density of 451.0 per square mile (174.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 39.4% White, 56.9% Black or African American
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...
, 0.3% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.7% 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 1.9% from two or more races. 1.6% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 3,384 households out of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.8% 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, 21.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.1% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 79.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,687, and the median income for a family was $40,299. Males had a median income of $32,083 versus $21,927 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 $18,573. About 16.8% of families and 19.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.9% of those under age 18 and 10.2% of those age 65 or over.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 8.4 square miles (21.8 km²), of which, 8.4 square miles (21.8 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (0.60%) is water.
Blackwater River
Blackwater River (Chowan River)
The Blackwater River of southeastern Virginia flows from its source near the city of Petersburg, Virginia for about 105 miles through the Inner Coastal Plain region of Virginia . The Blackwater joins the Nottoway River to form the Chowan River, which empties into Albemarle Sound...
, running along the eastern boundary of the city played an important role in the industrialization of the city, but has not been immune to problems plaguing rivers, most notably flooding. In 1999, in the aftermath of Hurricane Floyd
Hurricane Floyd
Hurricane Floyd was the sixth named storm, fourth hurricane, and third major hurricane in the 1999 Atlantic hurricane season. Floyd triggered the third largest evacuation in US history when 2.6 million coastal residents of five states were ordered from their homes as it approached...
, downtown Franklin was submerged under as much as 12 feet of water as the Blackwater River
Blackwater River (Chowan River)
The Blackwater River of southeastern Virginia flows from its source near the city of Petersburg, Virginia for about 105 miles through the Inner Coastal Plain region of Virginia . The Blackwater joins the Nottoway River to form the Chowan River, which empties into Albemarle Sound...
swelled to a new historical crest at 26.4 feet. The hurricane flooding caused the submersion of 182 business and 150 homes located primarily in downtown. In 2006, after a rain storm left the area saturated, the Blackwater River
Blackwater River (Chowan River)
The Blackwater River of southeastern Virginia flows from its source near the city of Petersburg, Virginia for about 105 miles through the Inner Coastal Plain region of Virginia . The Blackwater joins the Nottoway River to form the Chowan River, which empties into Albemarle Sound...
crested at close to 23 feet, the highest crest since 1940 excluding the flood in 1999
Ironically, when the hurricane name "Floyd" was retired in 2000, the name chosen as a replacement was Franklin. In 2006, Franklin endured another large-scale flood reaching just below the record 23 foot water line set from the 1999 flood. The flood was the result of a storm which distributed a large amount of water throughout the watershed in which Franklin resides.
Community
Education
These are all places that provide education at some level in the area of Franklin.- The Children's Center
- Rock Church School
- JP King Middle School
- SP Morton Elementary School
- SOUTHAMPTON ACADEMY Private School Courtland VA
- Franklin High SchoolFranklin High School (Virginia)Franklin High School is a public high school in Franklin, Virginia. Franklin High School is part of the Franklin City Public Schools District. FHS is a co-educational school serving grades 9-12. Franklin High School is a member of the Tri-Rivers District, Class A athletic conference...
- Southampton High SchoolSouthampton High SchoolSouthampton High School is a public high school located in Courtland, Virginia in Southampton County west of Franklin and east of Emporia. It is part of the Southampton County School Division and opened its doors in 2005. The school's current facility opened in 1993. Athletic teams compete in the...
- Southampton AcademySouthampton AcademySouthampton Academy is a small, private college-preparatory school located at 26495 Old Plank Rd. in Courtland, Virginia. Southampton Academy, also known locally as "The Academy" and "SA" provides education for students from pre-kindergarten through the 12th grade...
- Grades Pre-K through 12th - Paul D. Camp Community CollegePaul D. Camp Community CollegePaul D. Camp Community College, located in the city of Franklin, Virginia in Southeast Virginia, is one of 23 schools in the Virginia Community College System ....
Community resources
- Franklin Municipal Airport (John Beverly Rose Field)
- Ruth Camp Campbell Memorial Library
- James L. Camp Jr. YMCAYMCAThe Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
- Southampton Academy Courtland, VA
- Southampton Memorial Hospital
- The Tidewater News (www.tidewaternews.com)
See also
- National Register of Historic Places in Franklin, Virginia
External links
- City of Franklin
- Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance - serving Franklin