Franklin NC “The Gem of the Mountains”

Town of Franklin NC
Come escape the city life in this slow paced town! You can relax next to breathtaking waterfalls, trek the many trails, or just lay around. Here you can find many great shops, festivals and arts and crafts shows. Franklin has a wide selection of places to stay nestled in the mountains of Western North Carolina. It is known as the Gem Capital of the World, so gem mining is definitely a prominent activity in this town! 

History of Franklin North Carolina
Formed in 1828, Franklin is the seat of Macon County, North Carolina. The land that forms Franklin was acquired from the Cherokee in the Treaty of 1819. The County is named after Nathaniel Macon, a politician who served in the American Revolution and the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. 

State Commissioners Jesse Franklin and James Meabin travelled to the area to organize and conduct a survey for the county seat in 1820. The town was named in honor of Franklin, who became governor of North Carolina at the end of 1820. It was not incorporated until just before the Civil War in 1855. 

Although no battles were fought in Franklin County, the Civil War still had a great effect on the area. Seven companies were developed from Macon County men; today there is a statue on Main Street in honor of their service. 

Unlike many Western North Carolina counties, most of Macon’s records have survived, which is why Franklin’s history is well documented.

Franklin Folk Festival
The Franklin Folk Festival is held to celebrate the rich heritage of the town and county. The event changes its theme every year to showcase a particular part of the pioneer days of Western North Carolina. Through 100 living exhibits and demonstrations this festival allows visitors to experience what mountain life was like in simpler times. The exhibits range from quilting and milking cows to Civil War re-enactors. The streets of Franklin are filled with live demonstrators sharing traditional mountain activities acquired from their parents. There is a candlelight tour of the Civil War Re-enactors camp along with the Civil War Fashion show and skirmish renactments. In addition to all the historical activities there is also a full schedule of mountain music and plenty of food! This festival is truly a blast from the long lost past! Please see our festival listings for more information.