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October 13, 2009
It is my pleasure to welcome you to
the official Web site for the City of
Franklin. Our town is located in
Franklin, La., along the Bayou Teche in
St. Mary Parish.
Originally known as Carlin's
Settlement, the City of Franklin (then
Town of Franklin) was founded in 1808
and was ideally located for development
as a trading center and port of entry.
Sugar cane and lumber were the major
exports, and the bayou was the conduit
for steamboats carrying trade goods of
the day. After the Civil War, lumber
became the major industry with 11
saw mills operating along the Teche by
1869. Main Street became the site of the
town's earliest development, and the
business district expanded to include
hotels, commercial establishments and
antebellum homes.
Today, the City of Franklin has a
romantic character and a rich history
and culture emblematic of our
multi-ethnic heritage. It is recognized
for its picturesque Historic District of
antebellum homes and Victorian
properties with stately oak trees.
Spanish moss and period lampposts are
the epitome of a relaxed and friendly
southern Louisiana town, showcasing its
diverse cultural heritage, arts and
bayou recreation. Franklin's historic
fabric is not only a link to the past,
but a key to its future.
The citizens of Franklin are resilient and hard working. We pride
ourselves on being ready to lend a
helping hand and extending our Southern
hospitality, especially in times of
natural disaster and crisis. We stem
from a proud ancestral lineage, forming
the heart and soul of our deep-seated
Cajun and Creole traditions.
Franklin is engaging in an ambitious
plan to revitalize our downtown Historic
District. The first item on our agenda
is to restore the Center Theater, which
dates back to the 1930s, and focus on
city center redevelopment. The idea is
to create a hub of public activity by
facilitating community space and instilling
a sense of local quality of life and
pride. The second item, and a no less
important one, is to create a tourist
destination attraction by accentuating our unique
historic district and natural geography.
We hope that you will keep us mind
when passing through Louisiana and visit
our lovely city.
If you should require additional
information on our community, please
feel free to contact us.
Raymond Harris
Mayor, City of Franklin, Louisiana |
