Franklin, Virginia
Independent city
Downtown Franklin, Virginia
Downtown Franklin, Virginia
Official seal of Franklin, Virginia
Seal
Motto: 
"Growth – Community – Spirit"[1]
Location in the Commonwealth of Virginia
Location in the Commonwealth of Virginia
Coordinates: 36°40′38″N 76°55′20″W / 36.67722°N 76.92222°W / 36.67722; -76.92222
Country United States
State Virginia
CountyNone (Independent city)
Incorporated (Town)March 1876
Incorporated (City)1961
Government
 • MayorFrank Rabil
 • Vice MayorBarry Cheatham
Area
[2]
 • Total8.36 sq mi (21.67 km2)
 • Land8.28 sq mi (21.44 km2)
 • Water0.09 sq mi (0.23 km2)
Elevation
39 ft (12 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total8,180
 • Density980/sq mi (380/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
23851
Area code(s)757, 948
FIPS code51-29600[3]
GNIS feature ID1494943[4]
Websitewww.franklinva.com

Franklin is the southwesternmost independent city in Hampton Roads, Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,180.[5] The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Franklin with Southampton County for statistical purposes.

History

The city of Franklin had its beginnings in the 1830s as a railroad stop along the Blackwater River. During this era, the river was used to transport goods to and from Albemarle Sound in North Carolina.[6]: 1 

Civil War

In 1862, the Civil War came to Franklin in what was referred to as the Joint Expedition against Franklin.[7] As several U.S. 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 the frequent heavy firing of musketry."[8] During the battle, five were killed in action and sixteen were wounded. As the naval vessels retreated, the Confederates tried to block the narrow Blackwater River by felling large trees across it. In the end, the Confederate attempts failed, as no soldiers were captured and no ships were lost.[8] A total of seven Medals of Honor were awarded to individual seamen for their distinguished service.[9][10]

A historic sign in downtown Franklin with information on the Civil War and Union Camp

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 sawmill. The sawmill was small and had been operating for several years alongside the Blackwater River[6]: 2  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). Franklin became a stop on the Atlantic and Danville Railway in 1890.[11] At the end of this period, after a bout with near-bankruptcy, World War I 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..."[6]: 2 

By 1955, the Camp Corporation's annual sales reached $28 million, much of which 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.[6]: 3  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.

The city continued to grow along with Union Camp and was incorporated as an independent city in 1961, separating from Southampton County.

Union Camp thrived in Franklin until 1999 when it was acquired by International Paper. Though Union Camp no longer exists in Franklin, the Camp family name lives on. Their legacy is most notable in the community, with 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.

Geography

Flooding in Franklin after Hurricane Floyd
Flood level marker in downtown Franklin

Franklin is located in southeastern Virginia at 36°40′38″N 76°55′20″W / 36.67722°N 76.92222°W / 36.67722; -76.92222 (36.6772, -76.9222). Its eastern border is the Blackwater River, a south-flowing tributary of the Chowan River, the principal inflow for Albemarle Sound in North Carolina. U.S. Route 58 (Southampton Parkway) follows the southern border of the city, leading east 21 miles (34 km) to Suffolk and 42 mi (68 km) to Norfolk. To the west US 58 leads 35 mi (56 km) to Emporia. U.S. Route 258 passes through the center of Franklin as East Second Avenue, South Main Street, and South Street; US 258 leads northeast 15 mi (24 km) to Windsor, Virginia, and southwest 21 mi (34 km) to Murfreesboro, North Carolina.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city of Franklin has a total area of 8.3 square miles (21.5 km2), of which 8.2 sq mi (21.2 km2) is land and 0.1 sq mi (0.3 km2) (1.7%) is water.[12] Isle of Wight County is to the north and east, and Southampton County, is to the north, west, and south.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Franklin has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[13]

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 ft (3.7 m) of water as the Blackwater River swelled to a historic crest of 26.4 ft (8.0 m).[14] The resultant flooding caused the submersion of 182 business and 150 homes, located primarily in downtown.[15] 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 (7.0 m) water line set from the 1999 flood.[14] The flood was the result of a storm that distributed a large amount of water throughout the watershed in which Franklin resides.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1880477—
189087583.4%
19001,14330.6%
19102,27198.7%
19202,3634.1%
19302,93024.0%
19403,46618.3%
19504,67034.7%
19607,26455.5%
19706,880−5.3%
19807,3086.2%
19907,8647.6%
20008,3466.1%
20108,5822.8%
20208,180−4.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[16]
1790-1960[17] 1900-1990[18]
1990-2000[19] 2010-2013[20]

2020 census

Franklin city, Virginia - Demographic Profile
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity Pop 2010[21] Pop 2020[22] % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 3,333 2,966 38.84% 36.26%
Black or African American alone (NH) 4,867 4,610 56.71% 56.36%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 27 25 0.31% 0.31%
Asian alone (NH) 63 81 0.73% 0.99%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 2 2 0.02% 0.02%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 8 16 0.09% 0.20%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) 141 262 1.64% 3.20%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 141 218 1.64% 2.67%
Total 8,582 8,180 100.00% 100.00%

2010 Census

Age distribution in Franklin

As of the census[23] 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 (385.8 people/km2). There were 3,767 housing units at an average density of 451.0 units per square mile (174.1 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 56.9% Black or African American, 39.4% White, 0.7% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.7% from other races, 0.3% Native American, 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 aged 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 aged 65 or over.

Economy

Modern Franklin has two major industrial sectors: agriculture and manufacturing.[24] Franklin is listed as being the 13th-most profitable and 12th-largest farming community in the state.[25] The neighboring areas of Southampton and Isle of Wight counties, along with the city of Suffolk, are all ranked in the 20 most profitable farming counties, with Southampton County being the eighth-largest in the state.[25]

With the high agricultural profile of Franklin and the surrounding areas, it was only with 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.[24] Today, the International Paper mill, located on the eastern boundary of the city, beside 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 would be permanently closed, which took place in May 2010. This eliminated ~1,100 jobs from the community.[26] They have since resumed limited manufacturing, producing fluff pulp.[27] This resulted in 213 new jobs.[28]

Arts and culture

Arts facilities and museums

Franklin has a mini-museum of firefighting at the Franklin Fire Department.[29][30] The Blackwater Regional Library system has the Ruth Camp Campbell Memorial Library.[29]

Events and festivals

Annual events in Franklin include the Lumberjack Festival and the Juneteenth Cultural Celebration.[31] In the fall, the city hosts the Franklin Fall Festival and the Downtown Boo Bash.[31] There is also the annual Franklin Christmas Parade and the Holiday Open House & Craft Fair.[31]

The Elms located on Clay Street

Architecture

Originally the city's train depot, the restored Franklin Depot & Visitors Center is located in Historic Downtown Franklin. The Elms (Franklin, Virginia) is a Queen Anne and Colonial Revival style house built in 1898; it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The seventeen-acre Woods Hills estate is also National Register-listed. The Franklin Historic District includes 226 contributing residential and commercial buildings including the circa 1840 Camp Family Homestead, Pretlow Peanut Company Warehouses, and numerous churches.

Sports

Franklin High School is home to the 2004 and 2008 VHSL Division 1A State Football Champions. Franklin City Schools is home to FIRST Robotics Competition Team 1610 who were winners of the FIRST Robotics NASA/VCU regional robotics competition in 2006 and the FIRST Robotics Virginia regional competition in 2013, 2014, and 2015.

Parks and recreation

The Franklin Department of Parks & Recreation oversees eleven sites, including Barrett's Landing on the Blackwater River, the Blackwater River Boat Landing, and the Nottoway River Boat Landing which include boat ramps for fishing and boating.[29][32][30] James L. Camp Jr. YMCA is located in Franklin.

Government

United States presidential election results for Franklin, Virginia[33]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 1,487 36.64% 2,525 62.22% 46 1.13%
2016 1,421 34.99% 2,519 62.03% 121 2.98%
2012 1,496 34.31% 2,833 64.98% 31 0.71%
2008 1,576 35.60% 2,819 63.68% 32 0.72%
2004 1,613 45.62% 1,910 54.02% 13 0.37%
2000 1,393 43.65% 1,763 55.25% 35 1.10%
1996 1,200 35.45% 1,962 57.96% 223 6.59%
1992 1,347 40.34% 1,696 50.79% 296 8.86%
1988 1,557 48.50% 1,630 50.78% 23 0.72%
1984 1,561 49.87% 1,537 49.11% 32 1.02%
1980 1,045 42.55% 1,324 53.91% 87 3.54%
1976 1,127 49.21% 1,116 48.73% 47 2.05%
1972 1,416 64.98% 738 33.87% 25 1.15%
1968 951 42.15% 792 35.11% 513 22.74%
1964 783 38.36% 1,257 61.59% 1 0.05%

Both major parties of the United States political system operate in Franklin with official committees.

The Democratic Party of Virginia is represented by City Councilman (Ward 5) Gregory McLemore (D) who became Chairman of the Franklin Democratic Committee in 2020.

Since at least 2012, the Republican Party of Virginia did not have official representation for the City of Franklin due to the lack of appointment of a representative for Franklin, which combined with Southampton County forms the Franklin-Southampton Republican Party ("FSGOP"), one of three multi-jurisdictional "Combined Units" throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia in Republican Party of Virginia politics.

In 2020, the City of Franklin's political representation to the 3rd Congressional District of Virginia GOP Committee was re-established with the election of Timothy C. Bradshaw, a local entrepreneur and political outsider, as Chairman of the Franklin City / Southampton County Republican Committee, while an elected member of the Southampton County Board of Supervisors, Christopher Cornwell, was appointed to represent Southampton County to the 4th Congressional District GOP Committee.

Education

Franklin City Public Schools includes S. P. Morton Elementary School which includes pre-K through 5, J. P. King, Jr. Middle School which includes grades 6 through 8, and Franklin High School which includes grades 9 through 12. Paul D. Camp Community College is also located in Franklin.

Infrastructure

The Franklin Airport sign

Transportation

Air transit

The Franklin Municipal Airport (John Beverly Rose Field) is located in Franklin.

Primary Routes

Healthcare

The Bon Secours - Southampton Medical Center is a 221-bed hospital located in Franklin.[34]

Utilities

Franklin Municipal Power and Light provide electricity for the city.[35]

Notable people

See also

References

  1. ↑ "City of Franklin, Virginia". City of Franklin. Archived from the original on October 20, 2016. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
  2. ↑ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  3. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Archived from the original on March 3, 2018. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  5. ↑ "Franklin city, Franklin city, Virginia". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 30, 2022. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Rouse, Parke Jr. "The Timber Tycoons - The Camp Families of Virginia and Florida, and Their Empire, 1887-1987". Southampton County Historical Society, 1988. ASIN: B00071CPSW
  7. ↑ US Navy. Report of the Secretary of the Navy, December 1862. pg 149.
  8. 1 2 United States. US Navy. Report of the Secretary of the Navy, December 1862. pg. 153
  9. ↑ "Civil War Medal of Honor Recipients (M-Z)". United States Army Center of Military History. Archived from the original on February 23, 2009. Retrieved November 7, 2006.
  10. ↑ "Medal of Honor Recipients Civil War A-L". United States Army Center of Military History. Archived from the original on September 2, 2012. Retrieved November 7, 2006.
  11. ↑ Burns, Adam. "American Rails". Archived from the original on June 22, 2020. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
  12. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Archived from the original on August 24, 2019. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  13. ↑ "Climate Summary for Franklin, Virginia". Archived from the original on August 18, 2014. Retrieved December 21, 2013.
  14. 1 2 "Historic Crests for the Blackwater River near Franklin". Archived from the original on October 7, 2006. Retrieved November 7, 2006.
  15. ↑ "Virginia Hurricane History". Archived from the original on March 18, 2013. Retrieved November 7, 2006.
  16. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing from 1790". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 4, 2018. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
  18. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on December 15, 2013. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
  19. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
  20. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 6, 2016. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
  21. ↑ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Franklin city, Virginia". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 30, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  22. ↑ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Franklin city, Virginia". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 30, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  23. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  24. 1 2 "Tourism & History". Archived from the original on October 29, 2006. Retrieved November 7, 2006.
  25. 1 2 "Virginia Farm Bureau". Archived from the original on September 5, 2007. Retrieved January 22, 2008.
  26. ↑ Olson, Peter. "Adding Jobs". Virginia Pilot Online. Pilotone.com. Archived from the original on May 31, 2012. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
  27. ↑ McWhirter, Cameron (September 11, 2012). "Chinese diapers save a U.S. paper mill". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
  28. ↑ Olson, Peter. "Adding Jobs". Virginia Pilot Online. Pilotonline.com. Archived from the original on July 10, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
  29. 1 2 3 "Downtown Franklin Visitors Center". www.virginia.org. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  30. 1 2 "Attractions in Franklin Southampton | Visit Franklin Southampton, VA". www.visitfranklinsouthamptonva.com. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  31. 1 2 3 "Events | City of Franklin". www.franklinva.com. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  32. ↑ "Parks & Recreation | City of Franklin". www.franklinva.com. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  33. ↑ David Leip. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  34. ↑ "Bon Secours Southampton Memorial Hospital | USACS". www.usacs.com. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  35. ↑ "Utilities | City of Franklin". www.franklinva.com. Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
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