Franklin, North Carolina
| Franklin, North Carolina | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
Main Street, Franklin, NC
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| Motto: "Discover Us" | |
 Location of Franklin, North Carolina |
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| Coordinates: 35°10′52″N 83°22′54″W / 35.18111°N 83.38167°WCoordinates: 35°10′52″N 83°22′54″W / 35.18111°N 83.38167°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Macon |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.9 sq mi (10.0 km2) |
| • Land | 3.8 sq mi (9.9 km2) |
| • Water | 0.1 sq mi (0.1 km2) |
| Elevation | 2,119 ft (646 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| • Total | 3,845 |
| • Density | 1,004/sq mi (2,600.3/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP codes | 28734, 28744 |
| Area code(s) | 828 |
| FIPS code | 37-24640 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1011373 |
| Website | www.franklinnc.com |
Franklin is a town in Franklin Township, Macon County, North Carolina, United States, within the Nantahala National Forest. The population was 3,845 as of the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Macon County. Franklin is an official Appalachian Trail-friendly destination. The Franklin area is rich in gems and minerals and is known locally as the "Gem Capital of The World."
Long before the first European settlers arrived to the mountains of southwestern North Carolina, they were home to the Cherokee Indian Nation. In a valley surrounded by some of the oldest mountains on earth, the Cherokee called the area that is now Franklin, "Nikwasi" or "center of activity". Nikwasi was an ancient and important Cherokee town. The remains of Nikwasi Mound are still visible in downtown Franklin, marking the location of Nikwasi's townhouse.
While the mound was probably built during the earlier Mississippian Culture, it was the spiritual center of the area. A Council House, or Town House, used for councils, religious ceremonies, and general meetings, was located on top the mound, and the ever-burning sacred fire, which the Cherokee had kept burning since the beginning of their culture, was located there. Thus the mound was a most revered site.
The city was named for Jesse Franklin, one of two state commissioners who surveyed and organized the town in 1820 as the county seat for what would become Macon County in 1828. Jesse Franklin served North Carolina as a senator and as its 20th governor. The city of Franklin was not formally incorporated until 1855.
The Veterans Memorial Board of Directors in Macon County constructed a memorial at the county's recreation park in Franklin of the same name, The Macon County Veterans Memorial Park. The purpose of the memorial is to honor the veterans of Macon County that have made incredible sacrifices throughout history to preserve individual freedoms and secure the sovereignty of the United States.
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Wikipedia