Editing Franklin, North Carolina

{{Distinguish|Franklin County, North Carolina}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Franklin, North Carolina
| settlement_type    = [[Town]]
| nickname           = 
| motto              = "Discover Us"

<!-- Images -->| image_skyline      = Downtown Franklin, North Carolina, in Macon County 05.jpg
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = Buildings on Main Street in Downtown Franklin
| image_seal         = Franklin, NC Town Seal.png
| image_map          = NCMap-doton-Franklin.PNG
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location of Franklin, North Carolina
| image_map1         = 
| mapsize1           = 
| map_caption1       = <!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[North Carolina]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in North Carolina|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Macon County, North Carolina|Macon]]
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = 
| leader_name        = 
| leader_title1      = 
| leader_name1       = 
| established_title  = 
| established_date   = <!-- Area -->
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=September 20, 2022}}</ref>
| area_magnitude     = 
| area_total_km2     = 12.92
| area_land_km2      = 12.68
| area_water_km2     = 0.23
| area_total_sq_mi   = 4.99
| area_land_sq_mi    = 4.90
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.09

<!-- Population -->| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 4175
| population_density_km2 = 329.18
| population_density_sq_mi = 852.56

<!-- General information -->| timezone           = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
| utc_offset         = -5
| timezone_DST       = EDT
| utc_offset_DST     = -4
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft       = 2047
| coordinates        = {{coord|35|10|47|N|83|22|52|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]s
| postal_code        = 28734, 28744
| area_code          = [[Area code 828|828]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 37-24640<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 2406519<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2406519}}</ref>
| website            = [http://www.franklinnc.com/ www.franklinnc.com]
| footnotes          = 
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| pop_est_footnotes  = 
| population_est     = 
| name               = 
}}
'''Franklin''' is a town in and the [[county seat]] of [[Macon County, North Carolina]], United States.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref> It is situated within the [[Nantahala National Forest]]. The population was reported to be 4,175 in the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], an increase from the total of 3,845 tabulated [[2010 United States Census|in 2010]].

The town developed around a 1,000-year-old [[platform mound]], the center of the  historic [[Cherokee]] town of [[Nikwasi]].
[[File:Aerial_view_of_downtown_Franklin,_North_Carolina,_in_Macon_County_11.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of downtown Franklin]]
Franklin is a popular destination for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, specifically in relation to the Nantahala National Forest, the [[Great Smoky Mountains]], and the [[Appalachian Trail]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Franklin, NC |url=https://www.romanticasheville.com/franklin.htm |website=romanticasheville.com |access-date=June 14, 2021}}</ref> The town and the surrounding area is rich in gems and minerals, and is known locally as the "Gem Capital of The World."<ref>http://www.franklin-chamber.com/gem-mines/ Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce</ref>

==History==
===Cherokee influence===
Prior to the arrival of [[European ethnic groups|European]] settlers, the area was home to tribes within the [[Cherokee Nation (1794–1907)|Cherokee Nation]]. The Cherokee called this area [[Nikwasi]], or "center of activity". Nikwasi was an ancient and important Cherokee town, centered around an ancient platform mound believed to be at least 1000-years-old.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.maconnchistorical.org/nikwasi/ |title=The Nikwasi Indian Mound |access-date=January 19, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724081358/http://www.maconnchistorical.org/nikwasi/ |archive-date=July 24, 2008 }}</ref> The Cherokee built their Council House on top of the mound.<ref name="steere">{{cite journal|url=https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/ja/2015/ja_2015_steere_001.pdf|last=Steere|first=Benjamin A.|title=Revisiting Platform Mounds and Townhouses in the Cherokee Heartland: A Collaborative Approach|date=2015|journal=Southeastern Archeology|volume=34|number=3|pages= 196–219|doi=10.1179/2168472315Y.0000000001|s2cid=155444628}}</ref> In the 21st century, the remains of Nikwasi Mound are still visible in downtown Franklin.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cherokeeheritagetrails.org/franklin_places.html|title=Cherokee Heritage|access-date=April 1, 2009|archive-date=January 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180108062542/http://www.cherokeeheritagetrails.org/franklin_places.html|url-status=usurped}}</ref> It was privately owned until Franklin purchased the site in 1946 and it was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1980. In 1819, the Cherokee were forcibly relocated to the [[Qualla Boundary]], which today is the home the federally recognized tribe of the [[Eastern Band of Cherokee]].

===European settlement===
The city was named by European-American settlers 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 was later elected by the state legislature as the [[United States Senator]] from North Carolina (popular election of senators did not become custom until the 20th century). He was later elected and served North Carolina as its 20th governor. The city of Franklin was not formally incorporated until 1855.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.franklin-chamber.com/aboutfranklin/history.php|title=Franklin, NC History - Franklin Chamber of Commerce|website=franklin-chamber.com|access-date=April 20, 2018}}</ref>

In August 1923, Franklin's first hospital opened. Three years later the first permanent hospital in North Carolina west of [[Asheville, North Carolina|Asheville]] was constructed downtown and named Angel Brothers Hospital. It was renamed Angel Hospital in 1940 and expanded in 1957, 1977, and 1991. A new $68 million [[Angel Medical Center]] was built and opened in 2022 on the east side of town.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lofthouse |first=Brittney |date=September 12, 2022 |title=Nearly 100 years after Dr. Angel launched Angel Medical Center, new hospital facility to hold ribbon cutting on Tuesday |url=https://thesouthernscoopnews.com/latest-news/nearly-100-years-after-dr-angel-launched-angel-medical-center-new-hospital-facility-to-hold-ribbon-cutting-on-tuesday |access-date=April 20, 2024 |website=The Southern Scoop |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 1946, the people of Franklin raised money to buy the site of Nikwasi Mound and vowed to preserve it. Schoolchildren were among those who donated money to buy it from one of the many private owners who had held it since the Cherokee were forced from their historic town.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}}  In 2015, Franklin transferred title to the mound to the Nikwasi Initiative, a partnership among the Town of Franklin, Macon County, the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians and Mainspring Conservation Trust. The Initiative plans to develop the site as an historical and cultural site, including a museum in a building adjacent to the mound.<ref>https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2019/12/01/nikwasi-mound-franklins-oldest-structure-become-its-newest-attraction/4332182002/</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|3.9|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|3.8|sqmi|km2}}  is land and {{convert|0.04|sqmi|km2}}  (0.78%) is water.

The [[Cullasaja River]] from [[Highlands, North Carolina|Highlands]] flows into the [[Little Tennessee River]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.americanrivers.org/river/little-tennessee-river/|title=Little Tennessee River}}</ref> at Franklin. Franklin and Macon County have numerous waterfalls and hiking trails.<ref name="franklinnc.com">{{cite web | url=https://www.franklinnc.com/about-franklin-nc.html# | title=About the Town of Franklin, NC }}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 207
|1890= 281
|1900= 335
|1910= 379
|1920= 773
|1930= 1094
|1940= 1249
|1950= 1975
|1960= 2173
|1970= 2336
|1980= 2640
|1990= 2873
|2000= 3490
|2010= 3845
|2020= 4175
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
|+Franklin racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US3724640&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 19, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!scope="col"| Race
!scope="col"| Number
!scope="col"| Percentage
|-
!scope="row"| [[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
| 3,206
| 76.79%
|-
!scope="row"| [[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
| 50
| 1.2%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
| 13
| 0.31%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
| 50
| 1.2%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
| 174
| 4.17%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
| 682
| 16.34%
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 4,175 people, 1,817 households, and 1,030 families residing in the town.

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2010, there were 3,845 people, 1,627 households, and 899 families residing in the town.  The population density was {{convert|911.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  There were 1,916 housing units at an average density of {{convert|500.2|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The racial makeup of the town was 82.3% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.9% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.40% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.63% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.49% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.15% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 13.01% of the population.

There were 1,627 households, out of which 24.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.4% were a single person household and 44.7% were non-families. 40.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.79.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 21.3% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 23.5% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 79.7 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $30,425. Males had a median income of $33,957 versus $27,363 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $19,761.  About 15.2% of families and 20.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 28.4% of those under age 18 and 16.2% of those age 65 or over.

===Growth and cost of living===
Franklin's rate of population growth is 12% higher than the national average.<ref name="Ref-1">{{cite web|url=http://www.city-data.com/city/Franklin-North-Carolina.html|title=Franklin, North Carolina (NC 28734) profile: population, maps, real estate, averages, homes, statistics, relocation, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, moving, houses, news, sex offenders|website=www.city-data.com|access-date=April 20, 2018}}</ref> Located in the Great Smoky Mountains, Franklin is situated more than one hour from [[Asheville, North Carolina|Asheville]]. It is two hours from [[Atlanta, Georgia]]; [[Knoxville, Tennessee]]; or [[Greenville, South Carolina]]. Due to its proximity to these major cities, combined with a relatively rural location and lower cost of living, Franklin has developed as a destination for persons seeking retirement, recreational, permanent, or second homes.
The 2010 [[cost-of-living index]] in Franklin: 86.7 (less than average, U.S. average is 100).<ref name="Ref-1"/>

==Climate==
In the summer Franklin has temperatures in the lower 80s, while during the winter temperatures rarely fall below the upper teens.

The warmest month of the year is July with an average maximum temperature of 84.50 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is January with an average minimum temperature of 24.00 degrees Fahrenheit.

Temperature variations between night and day tend to be moderate during summer with a difference that can reach 22 degrees Fahrenheit, and moderate during winter with an average difference of 25 degrees Fahrenheit.

The annual average precipitation in Franklin is 55.50&nbsp;inches and rainfall is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The wettest month of the year is March with an average rainfall of 5.76 inches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idcide.com/weather/nc/franklin.htm|title=Franklin Weather - Franklin NC - Conditions, Forecast, Average|website=www.idcide.com|access-date=April 20, 2018}}</ref>

{{Weather box
|location = Franklin, North Carolina (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1882–present)
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 78
|Feb record high F = 78
|Mar record high F = 85
|Apr record high F = 91
|May record high F = 91
|Jun record high F = 100
|Jul record high F = 101
|Aug record high F = 99
|Sep record high F = 98
|Oct record high F = 91
|Nov record high F = 82
|Dec record high F = 78
|year record high F = 101
|Jan high F = 48.3
|Feb high F = 52.6
|Mar high F = 60.1
|Apr high F = 69.0
|May high F = 75.6
|Jun high F = 81.5
|Jul high F = 84.3
|Aug high F = 83.3
|Sep high F = 78.5
|Oct high F = 69.8
|Nov high F = 59.9
|Dec high F = 51.2
|year high F = 67.8
|Jan mean F = 37.2
|Feb mean F = 40.7
|Mar mean F = 47.6
|Apr mean F = 55.4
|May mean F = 63.3
|Jun mean F = 70.5
|Jul mean F = 74.0
|Aug mean F = 73.1
|Sep mean F = 67.6
|Oct mean F = 57.1
|Nov mean F = 46.5
|Dec mean F = 40.0
|year mean F = 56.1
|Jan low F = 26.1
|Feb low F = 28.8
|Mar low F = 35.1
|Apr low F = 41.8
|May low F = 50.9
|Jun low F = 59.6
|Jul low F = 63.7
|Aug low F = 62.9
|Sep low F = 56.7
|Oct low F = 44.4
|Nov low F = 33.1
|Dec low F = 28.9
|year low F = 44.3
|Jan record low F = −15
|Feb record low F = -5
|Mar record low F = -3
|Apr record low F = 17
|May record low F = 25
|Jun record low F = 34
|Jul record low F = 45
|Aug record low F = 40
|Sep record low F = 27
|Oct record low F = 15
|Nov record low F = 3
|Dec record low F = -8
|year record low F = −15
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 5.34
|Feb precipitation inch = 4.44
|Mar precipitation inch = 4.91
|Apr precipitation inch = 4.97
|May precipitation inch = 4.46
|Jun precipitation inch = 5.00
|Jul precipitation inch = 4.09
|Aug precipitation inch = 4.69
|Sep precipitation inch = 4.33
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.76
|Nov precipitation inch = 4.32
|Dec precipitation inch = 5.19
|year precipitation inch = 55.50
|Jan snow inch = 1.0
|Feb snow inch = 0.7
|Mar snow inch = 0.2
|Apr snow inch = 0.0
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.0
|Nov snow inch = 0.0
|Dec snow inch = 0.7
|year snow inch = 2.6
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 10.2
|Feb precipitation days = 9.9
|Mar precipitation days = 11.9
|Apr precipitation days = 10.3
|May precipitation days = 10.6
|Jun precipitation days = 13.5
|Jul precipitation days = 11.8
|Aug precipitation days = 10.4
|Sep precipitation days = 8.6
|Oct precipitation days = 6.8
|Nov precipitation days = 7.9
|Dec precipitation days = 9.9
|year precipitation days = 121.8
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 0.5
|Feb snow days = 0.3
|Mar snow days = 0.1
|Apr snow days = 0.0
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.0
|Nov snow days = 0.0
|Dec snow days = 0.7
|year snow days = 1.6
|source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref name= NOAA>
{{cite web
| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=gsp
| title = NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = August 16, 2021}}</ref><ref name=NCEI>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00313228&format=pdf
| title = Station: Franklin, NC
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = August 16, 2021}}</ref>
}}

==Recreation==
===Hiking===
The mountains that surround Franklin are lined with many hiking trails including the famous [[Appalachian Trail]]. The AT runs north and south, passing 10 miles west of Franklin; it can be accessed at many locations in the area. Some 40 miles of side trails interlace with the AT in the region as well.

Another, lesser known trail also passes through the area: [[Bartram Trail]], named for American botanist [[William Bartram]], who documented the native flora and fauna of the area in 1775. Bartram Trail climbs into the hills of the Franklin area; hikers may follow the explorer's footsteps and discover the exuberant natural world in which he took such delight.<ref name="Ref-2">{{cite web |url=http://www.franklin-chamber.com/visitorInformation/ |title=Mountain Treasure, Simple Pleasures |access-date=January 16, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220012929/http://www.franklin-chamber.com/visitorInformation/ |archive-date=December 20, 2008 }}</ref>

Both the Appalachian Trail and Bartram Trail cross over [[Wayah Bald]], one of the best known places in the Franklin area for [[sightseeing]].<!-- Needs expansion and explanation -->

===Gem mining===
The Franklin area is famous for its gem mining. Franklin hosts the jewelry and gem show, "Macon County Gemboree", twice a year. The Cowee Valley north of Franklin attracts thousands of visitors annually to its mines, which continue to yield valuable stones. There are also other gem mines located throughout the area. Among the native stones found are [[ruby]], [[sapphire]], and [[garnet]]s. The Franklin Gem and Mineral Museum is free to the public and is noted for its exhibits.<ref>http://www.fgmm.org/ Franklin Gem & Mineral Museum</ref>

===Waterfalls===
====Cullasaja Falls====
{{main|Cullasaja Falls}}
<!-- Note to Diligent Terrier - possibly add small infobox and picture later -->
Cullasaja Falls is a [[waterfall]] in Southwestern [[North Carolina]].  The waterfall is located on the [[Cullasaja River]] in the [[Nantahala National Forest]] and is part of the [[Mountain Waters Scenic Byway]].  ''Cullasaja'' comes from a Cherokee word meaning "honey locust place."  The falls is the last major waterfall on the Cullasaja river.<ref name="Kevin Adams Book">Kevin Adams, ''North Carolina Waterfalls'', p. 470</ref>  The falls is a long cascade over the course of {{convert|0.2|mi|km}}.

The height of the falls is given as 200&nbsp;ft (61 m) in Kevin Adams' book, ''North Carolina Waterfalls''<ref name="Kevin Adams Book"/> and 250&nbsp;ft (77.1 m) by NCWaterfalls.com.<ref name="NC Waterfalls Height">{{cite web|url=http://www.ncwaterfalls.com/cull1.htm|title=Cullasaja River Gorge & Falls|website=www.ncwaterfalls.com|access-date=April 20, 2018}}</ref>  However, Google Earth gives a height (based on the elevation of the water at the top of the falls and the elevation of the plunge pool at the bottom of the falls) of 137&nbsp;ft (42 m).  The falls may be glimpsed by people driving along [[U.S. Highway 64|Highway 64]], but it is difficult to see more fully from the road. The falls are located beside of a series of blind curves on with sheer rock cliffs above and below the road. A small pull-off is located near the falls, but walking on the road puts visitors in danger of being hit by a passing vehicle.

====Dry Falls====
{{main|Dry Falls (Macon County)}}
<!-- Note to Diligent Terrier - possibly add small infobox and picture later -->
Dry Falls, also known as Upper Cullasaja Falls, is a 65-foot (20.1 m) [[waterfall]] located in the [[Nantahala National Forest]], northwest of [[Highlands, North Carolina]].  Dry Falls flows on the [[Cullasaja River]] through the Nantahala National Forest.  It is part of a series of waterfalls on a {{convert|8.7|mi|km|adj=on}} stretch of the river that eventually ends with [[Cullasaja Falls]].  Dry Falls flows over an overhanging bluff that allows visitors to walk up under the falls and remain relatively dry when the waterflow is low, hence its name.  Visitors will get wet if the waterflow is high.  The falls has been called Dry Falls for a long time, but has also gone by a few other names, including High Falls, Pitcher Falls, and Cullasaja Falls.<ref name="Adams Book">Kevin Adams, ''North Carolina Waterfalls'', p. 467</ref>  Dry Falls is located on the side of [[U.S. Highway 64]] {{convert|15.7|mi|km}} southeast of Franklin, North Carolina.  There is a parking area on the side of the road, where visitors can park before walking the short path with stairs to the falls. The [[United States Forest Service]] has made improvements to the parking area and has reopened the public area.

====Bridal Veil Falls====
{{main|Bridal Veil Falls (Macon County)}}
<!-- Note to Diligent Terrier - possibly add small infobox and picture later -->
Bridal Veil Falls is a 45-foot (20.1 m) [[waterfall]] located in the [[Nantahala National Forest]], southeast of Franklin. With a short curve of roadway that passes behind the falls, this is the only waterfall in the state where one can drive a vehicle under the water.  Bridal Veil Falls flows on a tributary of the [[Cullasaja River]] through the Nantahala National Forest. The falls flows over an overhanging bluff. Visitors can walk behind the falls and remain dry when the waterflow is low. During periods of drought, the stream may nearly dry up, though visitors will get wet if the waterflow is moderate or high.

Bridal Veil Falls is located on the side of [[U.S. Highway 64]] {{convert|16.5|mi|km}} southeast of Franklin. Highway 64 originally used the curve of roadway behind the falls exclusively, so that all traffic went behind them. But this caused problems with [[ice|icing]] of the roadway during freezing weather, and Hwy. 64 has been re-routed around the front of the falls since.  A parking area is located on the side of the road, so that visitors can park and view the falls from there.

In 2003, a massive boulder slid off the left side of the falls, blocking that side of the drive-under completely.  However, in July 2007, that boulder was removed by a local developer.<ref name="NC Waterfalls Bridal Veil">{{cite web|url=http://www.ncwaterfalls.com/bridal_veil1.htm|title=Bridal Veil Falls, Highlands North Carolina - drive behind|website=www.ncwaterfalls.com|access-date=April 20, 2018}}</ref>

====Quarry Falls====
{{main|Quarry Falls (Macon County)}}
<!-- Note to Diligent Terrier - possibly add small infobox and picture later -->
Quarry Falls is a small [[waterfall]] (or perhaps large rapid in high water) located beside US Hwy. 64 southeast of Franklin, North Carolina. Known to locals as "Sliding Rock", it is best known for the large, deep pool at the bottom. It is a popular place for swimming during warm weather.

=== Scottish Tartans Museum ===
Franklin has been home to the Scottish Tartans Museum since 1994.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scottishtartans.org/about.html |title=What is the Scottish Tartans Museum |publisher=Scottish Tartans Museum |access-date=June 22, 2012}}</ref> It shows materials common to some of the Scots-Irish immigrants who settled in this area in the late eighteenth century and later.

== Education ==
[[File:Franklin_High_School_in_Franklin,_NC,_and_Macon_County_03.jpg|thumb|Franklin High School]]
The local public school system is run by [[Macon County Schools (North Carolina)|Macon County Schools]]. [[Franklin High School (North Carolina)|Franklin High School]] serves grades 9–12. Macon Early College is a high school that offers college classes. East Franklin Elementary school serves younger grades.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Macon County Schools |url=https://www.macon.k12.nc.us/ |access-date=April 20, 2024 |website=www.macon.k12.nc.us |language=en}}</ref>

==Media==
''[[The Franklin Press]]'' has been published weekly in Franklin since 1888. It is the oldest standing business in Macon County. The ''Press'' was preceded by four other Macon County newspapers: ''The Franklin Observer'' and ''The Western Carolinian'' (both of which began in 1860), the ''Macon Advance'' (started in 1877), and ''The Western Reporter'' (1880-1881). None of them lasted more than a few years.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thefranklinpress.com/about |title=About Us |work=The Franklin Press |publisher=Community Newspapers, Inc. }} Accessed January 19, 2024.</ref>

==Library==
The Macon County Public Library, which is partially county funded but not part of county government, is part of the Fontana Regional Library system.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2022/07/06/macon-county-libraries-community-raise-30-k-pride-display-controversy/7812702001/|title=After Macon County commissioner denounced Pride display, community raises $30K for library|last=Honosky|first=Sarah|work=[[Asheville Citizen-Times]]|date=July 6, 2022}}</ref>

==Macon County Airport==
The [[Macon County Airport]] is located in the Iotla Valley, just north of Franklin, and reports [[Automated airport weather station#Automated Surface Observing System .28ASOS.29|ASOS]] [[weather station]] information as "Franklin" at :00, :20, and :40 past each hour.<ref>[http://www.srh.noaa.gov/data/obhistory/K1A5.html]</ref>

==Notable people==
* [[Shawn Bryson]] {{ndash}} played for the [[Buffalo Bills]] and [[Detroit Lions]] during his time in the [[National Football League|NFL]]
* [[Kevin Corbin]] {{ndash}} NC State Senator, also served two terms in the NC House of Representatives
* [[Helen Wendler Deane]] {{ndash}} histophysiologist
* [[Charles Frazier]] {{ndash}} author of award-winning novel ''[[Cold Mountain (novel)|Cold Mountain]],'' was raised in Franklin<ref>[https://books.google.co.uk/books? id=tDVWkTVnYwQC&pg=PA278&lpg=PA278&dq=%22Charles+Frazier%22+%22franklin,+north+carolina%22&source=bl&ots=WPGlvBRBqR&sig=RfBvT1y3yk9_f4j1IT-QtHAbbm8&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjB_4r5xrDcAhWFsaQKHZpAADUQ6AEIODAC#v=onepage&q=%22Charles%20Frazier%22%20%22franklin%2C%20north%20carolina%22&f=false ''Vale of Humility: Plain Folk in Contemporary North Carolina Fiction'', by George Hovis, Google Books], Retrieved July 21, 2018.</ref>
* [[Alexander Key]] {{ndash}} novelist, lived for a time on Wayah Valley Road near Franklin
* [[Cory Asbury]] {{ndash}} Christian and Country singer, songwriter, and former worship pastor for [[Bethel Music]] was raised in Franklin, working locally at Sunset Restaurant in his teenage years.

==References==
<references />

==External links==
* [http://www.franklinnc.com/index.html Official website of Franklin, NC]
* [http://www.franklin-chamber.com/ Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce]

{{Macon County, North Carolina}}
{{North Carolina county seats}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:County seats in North Carolina]]
[[Category:Towns in Macon County, North Carolina]]
[[Category:Towns in North Carolina]]