Guide To: Franklin, TN
Franklin is a city just 20 miles from Nashville and holds more accolades than you can shake a stick at from 4th Best Places to Live and Top 10 Places to Retire by Money Magazine to Most Romantic Main Street by National Trust for Historic Preservation, Top 10 for Historic Preservation by Preservation Network and more. Franklin was the 8th fastest growing city in the nation following the 2017 census, and a stroll down main street or along the Harpeth River will leave no doubt why.
Hand-in-hand with Franklin’s modern growth is its deep historic connection to the Civil War and the Reconstruction Era. In fact, the National Trust for Historic Preservation awarded it the title of “Distinctive Destination”. Thousands of visitors travel to town to visit sites of the Battle of Franklin, Carnton, the Carter House, and more. During the Civil War, the city was occupied by Union Troops starting in 1862 and a total of 44 local buildings were used as field hospitals. Carrying on the history of hospitals, the primary industry in Franklin remains healthcare.
Historic residential areas dot the down and blanket it in a feeling of picturesque Dickensian times of yesteryear. To complement the charm of well-appointed and maintained homes, the city hosts Kodak-worthy festivals each year including Pilgrimage Music and Cultural Festival, Main Street Festival, PumpkinFest, and Dickens of a Christmas in the public square. On any given day, tourists and residents of all ages line Main Street, peeking into shops for gifts or homewares, trying on the latest trends, and enjoying a warm meal.
Franklin finds the sweetest juxtaposition and balance between history and modern amenities, tradition and creation, slow living and convenient access. Anyone looking to raise a family, set up shop, or explore life in a historic place would love it here.
If Franklin were a song:
“John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16” by Keith Urban