FRANKLIN

Quality of Life

Franklin is the quintessential small town. With only 2937 residents, Franklin offers a secure, friendly, safe environment to raise a family or start a business. In the mid 1830s, Birmingham was chosen as a railroad stop over Franklin so while Birmingham prospered, Franklin led a quiet existence. Over the years, Franklin has undergone development, residential and commercial, but the village still retains its small-town label. Modern Franklinites are proud to live in "The Town that Time Forgot."

Economy

Retail and Healthcare are the primary employers in the Village, followed closely by real estate, food services, entertainment and government. With fewer than 3,000 residents, many are commuters to the bigger, metropolitan areas of Detroit, Troy or Pontiac.

Entertainment

The changing of seasons is always a time for celebration. Franklin offers a Winter Festival and a Fall Festival. With ice sculptures, wreath auctions, a chili cook-off and more, Franklin's annual Winter Festival is guaranteed to warm even the coldest of hearts. "Fall in the Village" celebrates the vibrant colors of the changing leaves and shorter days. Ice Cream Socials, Concerts, "Art in the Village" and other events take place spread throughout the year. Franklin offers wholesome family-friendly entertainment.

History

Founded in 1824, Franklin has a rich history and it still has the appearance and atmosphere of an early Michigan village. The William Huston store, opened in 1830, was the start of a business center that later included the famous Broughton Wagon Shop, the Van Every Mills, now "Ye Olde Cider Mill," several taverns, two distilleries, and two churches. The village was a station on the Underground Railroad. Despite the world changing around it, Franklin has truly earned its nickname by being "The Town that Time Forgot."

Education

Served by the Birmingham School District , Franklin has three schools that service its students. The district offers a comprehensive array of interscholastic and intramural sports, career and vocational education, vocal and instrumental music, special education, learning support services, half-day preschools, all-day preschool and child care, half-day kindergarten enrichment programs, before and after-school care, and extensive local and district wide community education programs. West Maple Elementary serves grades K-5. Berkshire Middle School, with nearly 800 students, offers many opportunities for young teens to explore their skills and talents through academic competitions, mentorships, musical groups, dramatic productions, intramural and interscholastic athletics, clubs and activities, and enrichment programs such as Challenge. Groves High School focuses on establishing healthy a work ethic, fine tuning students' social skills and providing students with the skills they need in today's rapidly changing, highly technological workplaces. The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools accredit each of the schools in the Birmingham School District.

Franklin Links:

Village of Franklin