Franklin

History

Franklin (formerly Franklin Centre) was populated in the late 1830s by farmers like Alexander Cruickshank and German immigrants Henry and Jacob Abel. The first schoolhouse would be built on the Cruickshank farm in 1839. The town was laid out on March 21, 1840, by James L. Scott and Samuel C. Reed. They intended the town to be the county seat of Lee County, though never served as such. The city's namesake is Benjamin Franklin. In 1841 John Gandy and Jesse H. Catting were elected to be justices of the peace. In 1842 the first church in Franklin was constructed by the Methodists. Franklin’s growth was aided due to being positioned on the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad. In the first ever mayoral town election, Preston Nichols (D) was elected mayor. He was a circuit court judge for 36 years before he was appointed mayor of Franklin.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land. Franklin is located in Cedar Township.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Fort Madison Middle School
  Middle · Fort Madison · 695 students · 13.9:1 ratio
• Central Lee Elementary School
  Elementary · Donnellson · 657 students · 17.3:1 ratio
• Fort Madison High School
  High · Fort Madison · 555 students · 15.4:1 ratio
• Central Lee High School
  High · Donnellson · 326 students · 14.2:1 ratio
• Richardson Elementary School
  Elementary · Fort Madison · 311 students · 11.1:1 ratio
• Central Lee Middle School
  Middle · Donnellson · 267 students · 19.1:1 ratio