Franklin, named for Benjamin Franklin, was founded in 1808 as the "Carlin's Settlement" by French-born pioneer Joseph Carlin and his family. It became the parish seat in 1811 and the town was incorporated in 1820.[4] Though early settlers included French, Acadian, German, Danish and Irish, the town's culture and architecture is heavily influenced by the unusually large numbers of English that chose to settle there after the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.[5]
Numerous large sugar plantations arose in the area, and with the development of steam-boating, Franklin became an interior sugar port.[5] With the later advent of the railroad, it became a sawmill town.[5]
Franklin's First United Methodist Church was established in 1806, making it the first Protestant church established in the state of Louisiana.
Sugar plantations
By the 1830s, Bayou Teche was the main street of Acadiana, with one plantation after another. The area's sugar cane planters were among the South's wealthiest agriculturists. This is reflected in the grand plantation homes and mansions they built in Franklin and the surrounding countryside. Most of these magnificent structures are still standing and well preserved, giving Franklin its unique architectural flavor.
During the Civil War, the Battle of Irish Bend, also known as Nerson's Woods, was fought near Franklin on April 14, 1863. Though eventually forced to retreat, the badly outnumbered Confederate forces commanded by GeneralRichard Taylor cost the Union troops, under General Cuvier Grover, significant losses. Four hundred men were killed or wounded in the confrontation, including Confederate Colonel James Reily, a factor in halting the Union drive to invade Texas.[6][10]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.5 square miles (27.2 km2), of which 9.9 square miles (25.7 km2) is land and 0.58 square miles (1.5 km2), or 5.44%, is water.[3]
Louisiana Highways 182, which runs through downtown, and 87, which is located on the outskirts of Franklin, both head north passing through the communities of Baldwin, 8 miles (13 km), Jeanerette, 14 miles (23 km), and New Iberia, 25 miles (40 km), both located in Iberia Parish. Both LA-182 and U.S. Highway 90 (future Interstate 49) both head to northwest to Lafayette, 47 miles (76 km), and southeast to Morgan City, 26 miles (42 km).
Climate
Climate data for Franklin 3 NW, Louisiana (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present)
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 6,728 people, 2,743 households, and 1,466 families residing in the city.
2000 census
As of the census[17] of 2000, there were 8,354 people, 3,026 households, and 2,181 families residing in the city. The population density was 806.5 inhabitants per square mile (311.4/km2). There were 3,352 housing units at an average density of 323.6 per square mile (124.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 47.47% White, 50.00% African American, 0.63% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.30% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.79% of the population.
There were 3,026 households, out of which 36.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.5% were married couples living together, 22.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.9% were non-families. 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.26.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 30.4% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years, more than a year older than the statewide median age of 34.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,844, and the median income for a family was $30,625. Males had a median income of $32,188 versus $16,935 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,943. About 24.5% of families and 27.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 41.6% of those under age 18 and 15.6% of those age 65 or over.
Alexander Porter (June 24, 1785 – January 13, 1844) was an attorney, politician, and planter in St. Mary Parish who served as U.S. Senator from 1833 to 1837. He had served a term in the Louisiana House from 1816 to 1818, and on the Louisiana Supreme Court from 1821 to 1833. He built Oaklawn Manor.
Wallace Francis, football player, wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills and the Atlanta Falcons
Ernie Ladd, football player for Grambling University under Eddie Robinson, professional career San Diego Chargers, Houston Oilers and Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs (1970); professional wrestler known as "The Big Cat"
Warren Wells, Pro football player for the Detroit Lions and Oakland Raiders
John Porche, athletic trainer for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, inducted into the UL Athletics Hall of Fame for Administration in 2017[20][21]
^"Station: Franklin 3 NW, LA". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
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