About Franklin

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Welcome to Franklin, Tennessee Where Progress and History Give You a Unique Sense of Place.

Franklin, Tennessee has a unique blend of history and new growth. Founded in 1799 and named after Benjamin Franklin. One of the bloodiest battles in the Civil War took place here, bringing thousands of historic tourists each year to visit the site of the Battle of Franklin, Carnton, the Carter House and many other historic locations throughout the City. In 2009, The National Trust for Historic Preservation awarded Franklin the prestigious title of Distinctive Destination for offering an authentic visitor experience by combining dynamic downtowns, cultural diversity, attractive architecture and a strong commitment to historic preservation. In the same year the American Planning Association named the downtown Franklin area a  Top Ten Great Neighborhood for the Downtown Franklin’s outstanding historic character and architecture and meaningful protection measures the City has adopted to ensure Franklin’s unique sense of place is not compromised by future growth and development.

 

Approximately 78,000 people live in Franklin. in 2017 the U.S. Census ranked Franklin as the 8th fastest growing city in the Nation.  The Cool Springs area is a business, dining and shopping hub with many Fortune 500 companies located here. Business Week Magazine named Franklin one of the Top 50 Cities to Start a Small Business. Some of the other awards we have received include:

  • 8th Fastest Growing City in Nation (U.S. Census 2017)
  • 4th Best Places to Live (Money Magazine 2017, http://time.com/money/collection/best-places-to-live-2017/)
  • 3rd Safest City in TN (Backgroundchecks.org 2016)
  • Best Southern Town (Garden and Guns Magazine, 2014)
  • Best Place for Job Seekers (Nerd Wallet 2013)
  • Where the Jobs Are (CNN Money Magazine 2012)
  • Most Romantic Main Street (National Trust for Historic Preservation 2010)
  • Top 10 for Historic Preservation (Preservation Network 2012)
  • 2nd Most Business Friendly Cities in TN (Beacon Center 2012)
  • Top 10 Places to Retire (Money Magazine)
  • Great American Main Street Award

Downtown Franklin is well known for its annual festivals and parades including: The Main Street Festival in Spring; Fourth of July in Summer: PumpkinFest in October; the Veterans Day Parade in November; and Dickens of a Christmas in December. Thousands of tourists visit Franklin each year to attend these festivals and many more throughout the year. Visitors enjoy the beautiful 15 block historic district that offers true southern hospitality. The uniquely elegant shops downtown offer a variety of restaurants, clothing, gifts and galleries.