Franklin, Pennsylvania

Franklin is a city in Venango County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was estimated 7,212 in the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Venango County.

Geography

Franklin is located at (41.395032, -79.833538).^[1]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.7 square miles (12 km²), of which 4.6 square miles (12 km²) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km²) (1.70%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census^[2] of 2000, there were 7,212 people, 3,030 households, and 1,824 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,560.2 people per square mile (602.7/km²). There were 3,281 housing units at an average density of 709.8 per square mile (274.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.77% White, 3.12% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.31% from other races, and 1.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.67% of the population.

There were 3,030 households out of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.5% were married couples living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.8% were non-families. 35.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the city, the population was spread out with 23.8% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 18.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 86.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,063, and the median income for a family was $37,433. Males had a median income of $35,088 versus $22,475 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,414. About 13.6% of families and 17.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.4% of those under age 18 and 14.4% of those age 65 or over.

Crime

Education

• The Franklin Area School District currently has one high school, one middle school, and six elementary schools located throughout the area with an estimated 2278 students.[1]

• The Valley Grove School District currently has one high school and one elementary school located in the Franklin area with an estimated 1026 students. It formally consisted of one high school, one middle school and two elementary schools, but a consolidation and rebuilding project converted the middle school into a single elementary school that reopened in 2007.^[3]

• Saint Patrick Roman Catholic Church operates an elementary school in the city.

Transportation

• Venango Regional Airport

Attractions

• Applefest, the largest craft festival in Western Pennsylvania
• DeBence Antique Music World
• Franklin Silver Cornet Band, formed in 1856, one of the oldest traditional town bands in the United States.
• Barrow-Civic Theatre, performing arts venue for community and Franklin Civic Operetta Association, founded 1959.
• Franklin Public Library, The Franklin Public Library was founded in 1894 and has had several homes, although its current location on Twelfth Street has been its home since 1921. The original structure on Twelfth Street was built in 1849 as a residence and required extensive renovations in 1921 to make it suitable for library use. A children's room was added in 1964 and another wing was added for the adult collection in 1978.

Notable people

• Judge Robert Lamberton (March 20, 1809 – August 7, 1885) was an associate Judge of the Courts of Venango County, Pennsylvania, who founded the first bank in the County later known as the Lamberton Savings Bank. The bank building was demolished in 1969 to make way for the First National Bank of Pennsylvania.
• John Wilkes Booth, United States President Abraham Lincoln's assassin in 1865. In 1864, one year before Lincoln's assassination, he formed an oil company and stayed in Franklin for a time, performing at the Franklin Opera House.
• Ted Marchibroda, former American football quarterback and head coach in the National Football League. Marchibroda is currently employed by the Colts as a radio analyst.
• Hildegarde Dolson, author of several mysteries and histories. She may be best remembered as the author of We Shook the Family Tree, which recalls her youth in Franklin.
• Samuel C. T. Dodd, lawyer, worked for John D. Rockefeller and created the first trust for Standard Oil.
• Jesse L. Reno graduated from West Point, served under Winfield Scott in Mexico, was part of the federal force sent against the Mormons, and served in the Civil War under Ambrose Burnside. He also fought against West Point classmate Stonewall Jackson.
• Rolland Lawrence, American football Cornerback for the Atlanta Falcons. Rolland "Bay" Lawrence is the Falcons all-time interceptions leader.
• Sean W. Rowe, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northwestern PA. He previously served as the rector of St. John's Church.
• Nate Byham, American football tight end for the San Francisco 49ers. He was selected by the 49ers in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft.

Sports

In 1903, the city was the home of the Franklin Athletic Club, one of the earliest professional football teams. That season, the team was unofficially recognized as the "US Football Champions"^[4] and later won the 1903 World Series of Football, held that December at Madison Square Garden.^[5] The team included several of the era's top players, such as: Herman Kerchoff, Arthur McFarland, Clark Schrontz, Paul Steinberg, Pop Sweet, Eddie Wood, and coach Blondy Wallace.^[6]

Among other sporting accomplishments, Franklin Area High School has won two state basketball championships. In 2001 and 2006, the boys team, playing in PIAA Class AAA District 10, defeated Allentown Central Catholic out of District 11 and Communications Tech from District 12 (Philadelphia Public League), respectively.^[7]

References