Franklin, Virginia

The city of Franklin had its beginnings in the 1830s as a railroad stop along the Blackwater River. During this era, the river was used to transport goods to and from Albemarle Sound in North Carolina.Rouse, Parke Jr. "The Timber Tycoons - The Camp Families of Virginia and Florida, and Their Empire, 1887-1987". Southampton County Historical Society, 1988. ASIN: B00071CPSW{{rp|1}}

{{main|Joint Expedition Against Franklin}}

In 1862, the Civil War came to Franklin in what was referred to as the Joint Expedition against Franklin.US Navy. Report of the Secretary of the Navy, December 1862. pg 149. As several U.S. Navy flag steamships, led by the USS Commodore Perry, tried to pass through Franklin on the Blackwater River, a band of local Confederates opened fire on the ships. As stated by an officer aboard one of the ships, "The fighting was the same— Here and there high banks with dense foliage, a narrow and very crooked stream, with the frequent heavy firing of musketry."United States. US Navy. Report of the Secretary of the Navy, December 1862. pg. 153 During the battle, five were killed in action and sixteen were wounded. As the naval vessels retreated, the Confederates tried to block the narrow Blackwater River by felling large trees across it. In the end, the Confederate attempts failed, as no soldiers were captured and no ships were lost. A total of seven Medals of Honor were awarded to individual seamen for their distinguished service.{{cite web |url=http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/civwarmz.html |title=Civil War Medal of Honor Recipients (M-Z) |access-date=2006-11-07 |publisher=United States Army Center of Military History |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223063700/http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/civwarmz.html |archive-date=2009-02-23}}{{cite web |url=http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/civwaral.html |title=Medal of Honor Recipients Civil War A-L |access-date=2006-11-07 |publisher=United States Army Center of Military History |archive-date=September 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120902081051/http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/civwaral.html |url-status=dead }}

Image:Franklin VA sign.JPG and Union Camp]]

{{main|Union Camp Corporation}}

It was not until 1887 that Franklin began to see significant growth. Six brothers from the Camp family, with local roots, took possession of a local sawmill. The sawmill was small and had been operating for several years alongside the Blackwater River{{rp|2}} With the Camp family's acquisition of the mill, it experienced 20 years of rapid growth under the leadership of Paul Douglas Camp (president), James Leonidas Camp (vice-president) and Robert Judson Camp (secretary-treasurer). Franklin became a stop on the Atlantic and Danville Railway in 1890.{{cite web |url=https://www.american-rails.com/nfd.html#gallery |title=American Rails |last=Burns |first=Adam |access-date=18 June 2020 |archive-date=June 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622061026/https://www.american-rails.com/nfd.html#gallery |url-status=live }} At the end of this period, after a bout with near-bankruptcy, World War I brought the Camp family back to financial success, bringing along with it the city of Franklin. By 1918, "Tiny Franklin had become a booming wartime village..."{{rp|2}}

By 1955, the Camp Corporation's annual sales reached $28 million, much of which spread throughout the city of Franklin. The Camp family, with a strong sense of family and community, gave much back to the city of Franklin through above-average wages and generous donations to local causes.{{rp|3}} On May 29, 1956, the residents of Franklin were informed that the Local Camp Manufacturing Corporation had just negotiated a merger with the Union Bag and Paper company operating out of New York. This merger formed the Union Camp Corporation.

The city continued to grow along with Union Camp and was incorporated as an independent city in 1961, separating from Southampton County.

Union Camp thrived in Franklin until 1999 when it was acquired by International Paper. Though Union Camp no longer exists in Franklin, the Camp family name lives on. Their legacy is most notable in the community, with Paul D. Camp Community College, the James L Camp Jr. YMCA, the Texie Camp Marks Children's Center, and the Ruth Camp Campbell Memorial Library.

Image:Floydfranklin.jpg]]

Image:FranklinVirginia22FootWaterMarker.JPG

Franklin is located in southeastern Virginia at {{coord|36|40|38|N|76|55|20|W|type:city}} (36.6772, -76.9222). Its eastern border is the Blackwater River, a south-flowing tributary of the Chowan River, the principal inflow for Albemarle Sound in North Carolina. U.S. Route 58 (Southampton Parkway) follows the southern border of the city, leading east {{convert|21|mi}} to Suffolk and {{cvt|42|mi}} to Norfolk. To the west US 58 leads {{cvt|35|mi}} to Emporia. U.S. Route 258 passes through the center of Franklin as East Second Avenue, South Main Street, and South Street; US 258 leads northeast {{cvt|15|mi}} to Windsor, Virginia, and southwest {{cvt|21|mi}} to Murfreesboro, North Carolina.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city of Franklin has a total area of {{convert|8.3|sqmi|1}}, of which {{cvt|8.2|sqmi|1}} is land and {{cvt|0.1|sqmi|1}} (1.7%) is water.{{cite web |date=2011-02-12 |title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html |access-date=2011-04-23 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |archive-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824085937/https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html |url-status=live }} Isle of Wight County is to the north and east, and Southampton County, is to the north, west, and south.

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Franklin has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.{{Cite web |url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=8637&cityname=Franklin%2C+Virginia%2C+United+States+of+America&units= |title=Climate Summary for Franklin, Virginia |access-date=December 21, 2013 |archive-date=August 18, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140818012915/http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=8637&cityname=Franklin%2C+Virginia%2C+United+States+of+America&units= |url-status=live }}

{{Weather box

| width = 70%

| collapsed =

| open =

| single line = y

| trace =

| location = Franklin, VA (1991-2020, coordinates:{{coord|36.6751|N|76.9235|W}})

| temperature colour =

| Jan high F =50.9

| Feb high F =54.1

| Mar high F =61.0

| Apr high F =71.3

| May high F =78.6

| Jun high F =86.2

| Jul high F =89.9

| Aug high F =88.0

| Sep high F =82.7

| Oct high F =73.2

| Nov high F =62.9

| Dec high F =54.6

| year high F =

| Jan mean F =40.4

| Feb mean F =42.8

| Mar mean F =49.4

| Apr mean F =59.3

| May mean F =67.7

| Jun mean F =75.7

| Jul mean F =79.7

| Aug mean F =78.0

| Sep mean F =72.4

| Oct mean F =61.6

| Nov mean F =51.0

| Dec mean F =43.9

| year mean F =

| Jan low F =29.9

| Feb low F =31.5

| Mar low F =37.7

| Apr low F =47.4

| May low F =56.7

| Jun low F =65.2

| Jul low F =69.5

| Aug low F =67.9

| Sep low F =62.1

| Oct low F =49.9

| Nov low F =39.0

| Dec low F =33.1

| year low F =

| Jan dew point F =30.7

| Feb dew point F =31.4

| Mar dew point F =37.2

| Apr dew point F =46.5

| May dew point F =57.1

| Jun dew point F =65.5

| Jul dew point F =69.8

| Aug dew point F =68.9

| Sep dew point F =64.1

| Oct dew point F =52.8

| Nov dew point F =41.9

| Dec dew point F =35.2

| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation inch =3.69

| Feb precipitation inch =2.83

| Mar precipitation inch =3.97

| Apr precipitation inch =3.57

| May precipitation inch =3.91

| Jun precipitation inch =4.61

| Jul precipitation inch =5.34

| Aug precipitation inch =5.40

| Sep precipitation inch =5.45

| Oct precipitation inch =4.08

| Nov precipitation inch =3.22

| Dec precipitation inch =3.58

| year precipitation inch =

|source = PRISM Climate Group{{Cite web |title=Time Series Values for Individual Locations: 1991-2020 normals |url=https://prism.oregonstate.edu/explorer/ |access-date=December 6, 2024 |website=prism.oregonstate.edu |publisher= Northwest Alliance for Computational Science & Engineering }}

|date = December 2024

}}

The Blackwater River, running along the eastern boundary of the city, played an important role in the industrialization of the city but has not been immune to problems plaguing rivers, most notably flooding. In 1999, in the aftermath of Hurricane Floyd, downtown Franklin was submerged under as much as {{cvt|12|ft}} of water as the Blackwater River swelled to a historic crest of {{cvt|26.4|ft}}.{{cite web |title=Historic Crests for the Blackwater River near Franklin |url=http://newweb.erh.noaa.gov/ahps2/crests.php?wfo=akq&gage=fknv2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061007132526/http://newweb.erh.noaa.gov/ahps2/crests.php?wfo=akq&gage=fknv2 |archive-date=2006-10-07 |access-date=2006-11-07}} The resultant flooding caused the submersion of 182 business and 150 homes, located primarily in downtown.{{cite web |title=Virginia Hurricane History |url=http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/research/roth/vahur.htm |access-date=2006-11-07 |archive-date=March 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318031214/http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/research/roth/vahur.htm |url-status=live }} When the hurricane name "Floyd" was retired in 2000, the name chosen as a replacement was Franklin. In 2006, Franklin endured another large-scale flood reaching just below the record {{convert|23|ft|adj=on}} water line set from the 1999 flood. The flood was the result of a storm that distributed a large amount of water throughout the watershed in which Franklin resides.

{{US Census population

|1880= 477

|1890= 875

|1900= 1143

|1910= 2271

|1920= 2363

|1930= 2930

|1940= 3466

|1950= 4670

|1960= 7264

|1970= 6880

|1980= 7308

|1990= 7864

|2000= 8346

|2010= 8582

|2020= 8180

|estyear=

|estimate=

|estref=

|align-fn=center

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html |title=Census of Population and Housing from 1790 |publisher=US Census Bureau |access-date=January 24, 2022 |archive-date=April 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404140728/https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html |url-status=live }}
1790-1960{{cite web |url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/ |title=Historical Census Browser |publisher=University of Virginia Library |access-date=January 6, 2014 |archive-date=August 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811110448/http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/ |url-status=live }} 1900-1990{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/va190090.txt |title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=January 6, 2014 |archive-date=December 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215150359/http://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/va190090.txt |url-status=live }}
1990-2000{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=January 6, 2014}} 2010-2013{{cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/51/51620.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=January 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206210037/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/51/51620.html |archive-date=February 6, 2016 |url-status=dead}}

}}

Image:USA Franklin city, Virginia age pyramid.svg

As of the census{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/ |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=2011-05-14 |title=U.S. Census website |archive-date=December 18, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218204847/http://www.census.gov/popest/data/index.html |url-status=live }} of 2010, there were 8,582 people, 3,384 households, and 2,277 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|999.2|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people|}}. There were 3,767 housing units at an average density of {{convert|451.0|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}. The racial makeup of the city was 56.9% Black or African American, 39.4% White, 0.7% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.7% from other races, 0.3% Native American, and 1.9% from two or more races. 1.6% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,384 households, out of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.8% were married couples living together, 21.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.1% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 79.2 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 73.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,687, and the median income for a family was $40,299. Males had a median income of $32,083 versus $21,927 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,573. About 16.8% of families and 19.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.9% of those under age 18 and 10.2% of those aged 65 or over.

Modern Franklin has two major industrial sectors: agriculture and manufacturing.{{cite web |title=Tourism & History |url=http://www.franklinva.com/tour_history.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061029195337/http://www.franklinva.com/tour_history.html |archive-date=2006-10-29 |access-date=2006-11-07}} Franklin is listed as being the 13th-most profitable and 12th-largest farming community in the state.{{cite web |title=Virginia Farm Bureau |url=http://www.nass.usda.gov/va/vpage2.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070905084033/http://www.nass.usda.gov/va/vpage2.htm |archive-date=2007-09-05 |access-date=2008-01-22}} The neighboring areas of Southampton and Isle of Wight counties, along with the city of Suffolk, are all ranked in the 20 most profitable farming counties, with Southampton County being the eighth-largest in the state.

With the high agricultural profile of Franklin and the surrounding areas, it was only with the opening of the Camp Lumber Mill in 1887 that the manufacturing sector began to expand. The Camp Lumber Mill became the Union Camp Corporation, which was eventually bought by International Paper. Today, the International Paper mill, located on the eastern boundary of the city, beside the Blackwater River, produces lumber, pulp and paper products and other chemical by-products.

International Paper announced on October 22, 2009, that the paper mill would be permanently closed, which took place in May 2010. This eliminated ~1,100 jobs from the community.{{cite web |last1=Olson |first1=Peter |title=Adding Jobs |url=http://hamptonroads.com/2009/10/franklin-paper-mill-close-1100-lose-jobs |access-date=30 June 2015 |website=Virginia Pilot Online |publisher=Pilotone.com |archive-date=May 31, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531085854/http://hamptonroads.com/2009/10/franklin-paper-mill-close-1100-lose-jobs |url-status=live }} They have since resumed limited manufacturing, producing fluff pulp.{{cite web |last=McWhirter |first=Cameron |date=11 September 2012 |title=Chinese diapers save a U.S. paper mill |url=http://www.businesswithoutborders.com/industries/consumer-goods/chinese-diapers-save-a-u-s-paper-mill/ |access-date=2012-11-06 |publisher=The Wall Street Journal |archive-date=November 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105091821/http://www.businesswithoutborders.com/industries/consumer-goods/chinese-diapers-save-a-u-s-paper-mill/ |url-status=live }} This resulted in 213 new jobs.{{cite web |last1=Olson |first1=Peter |title=Adding Jobs |url=http://hamptonroads.com/2011/05/international-paper-reopen-franklin-mill-hire-213-workers |access-date=30 June 2015 |website=Virginia Pilot Online |publisher=Pilotonline.com |archive-date=July 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710021026/http://hamptonroads.com/2011/05/international-paper-reopen-franklin-mill-hire-213-workers |url-status=live }}

Franklin has a mini-museum of firefighting at the Franklin Fire Department.{{Cite web |title=Downtown Franklin Visitors Center |url=https://www.virginia.org/listing/downtown-franklin-visitors-center/15827/ |access-date=2023-03-18 |website=www.virginia.org |language=en-us |archive-date=March 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318080851/https://www.virginia.org/listing/downtown-franklin-visitors-center/15827/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Attractions in Franklin Southampton {{!}} Visit Franklin Southampton, VA |url=https://www.visitfranklinsouthamptonva.com/things-to-do/attractions/ |access-date=2023-03-18 |website=www.visitfranklinsouthamptonva.com |archive-date=March 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318080852/https://www.visitfranklinsouthamptonva.com/things-to-do/attractions/ |url-status=live }} The Blackwater Regional Library system has the Ruth Camp Campbell Memorial Library.

Annual events in Franklin include the Lumberjack Festival and the Juneteenth Cultural Celebration.{{Cite web |title=Events {{!}} City of Franklin |url=https://www.franklinva.com/news-events/events/ |access-date=2023-03-18 |website=www.franklinva.com |archive-date=March 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318112440/https://www.franklinva.com/news-events/events/ |url-status=live }} In the fall, the city hosts the Franklin Fall Festival and the Downtown Boo Bash. There is also the annual Franklin Christmas Parade and the Holiday Open House & Craft Fair.

File:Elms_located_on_Clay_Street,_Franklin,_VA..JPG

{{Main|National Register of Historic Places listings in Franklin, Virginia}}

Originally the city's train depot, the restored Franklin Depot & Visitors Center is located in Historic Downtown Franklin. The Elms (Franklin, Virginia) is a Queen Anne and Colonial Revival style house built in 1898; it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The seventeen-acre Woods Hills estate is also National Register-listed. The Franklin Historic District includes 226 contributing residential and commercial buildings including the circa 1840 Camp Family Homestead, Pretlow Peanut Company Warehouses, and numerous churches.

Franklin High School is home to the 2004 and 2008 VHSL Division 1A State Football Champions. Franklin City Schools is home to FIRST Robotics Competition Team 1610 who were winners of the FIRST Robotics NASA/VCU regional robotics competition in 2006 and the FIRST Robotics Virginia regional competition in 2013, 2014, and 2015.

The Franklin Department of Parks & Recreation oversees eleven sites, including Barrett's Landing on the Blackwater River, the Blackwater River Boat Landing, and the Nottoway River Boat Landing which include boat ramps for fishing and boating.{{Cite web |title=Parks & Recreation {{!}} City of Franklin |url=https://www.franklinva.com/government/departments/parks-and-recreation/ |access-date=2023-03-18 |website=www.franklinva.com |archive-date=March 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318142455/https://www.franklinva.com/government/departments/parks-and-recreation/ |url-status=live }} James L. Camp Jr. YMCA is located in Franklin.

{{PresHead|place=Franklin, Virginia|source={{cite web |author=David Leip |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS |title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections |publisher=Uselectionatlas.org |access-date=2020-12-09 |archive-date=March 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323225526/https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/ |url-status=live }}}}

{{PresRow|2024|Democratic|1,476|2,359|52|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|2020|Democratic|1,487|2,525|46|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|2016|Democratic|1,421|2,519|121|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|1,496|2,833|31|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|1,576|2,819|32|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|2004|Democratic|1,613|1,910|13|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|2000|Democratic|1,393|1,763|35|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|1,200|1,962|223|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|1,347|1,696|296|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|1,557|1,630|23|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1984|Republican|1,561|1,537|32|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|1,045|1,324|87|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1976|Republican|1,127|1,116|47|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1972|Republican|1,416|738|25|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1968|Republican|951|792|513|Virginia}}

{{PresFoot|1964|Democratic|783|1,257|1|Virginia}}

{{Missing information|section|the city government|date=October 2024}}

Both major parties of the United States political system operate in Franklin with official committees.

The Democratic Party of Virginia is represented by City Councilman (Ward 5) Gregory McLemore (D) who became Chairman of the Franklin Democratic Committee in 2020.

Since at least 2012, the Republican Party of Virginia did not have official representation for the City of Franklin due to the lack of appointment of a representative for Franklin, which combined with Southampton County forms the Franklin-Southampton Republican Party ("FSGOP"), one of three multi-jurisdictional "Combined Units" throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia in Republican Party of Virginia politics.

In 2020, the City of Franklin's political representation to the 3rd Congressional District of Virginia GOP Committee was re-established with the election of Timothy C. Bradshaw, a local entrepreneur and political outsider, as Chairman of the Franklin City / Southampton County Republican Committee, while an elected member of the Southampton County Board of Supervisors, Christopher Cornwell, was appointed to represent Southampton County to the 4th Congressional District GOP Committee.

Franklin City Public Schools includes S. P. Morton Elementary School which includes pre-K through 5, J. P. King, Jr. Middle School which includes grades 6 through 8, and Franklin High School which includes grades 9 through 12. Paul D. Camp Community College is also located in Franklin.

Image:KFKN airport sign.JPG

The Franklin Municipal Airport (John Beverly Rose Field) is located in Franklin.

The Bon Secours - Southampton Medical Center is a 221-bed hospital located in Franklin.{{Cite web |title=Bon Secours Southampton Memorial Hospital {{!}} USACS |url=https://www.usacs.com/locations/bon-secours-southampton-memorial-hospital |access-date=2023-03-18 |website=www.usacs.com |language=en |archive-date=March 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318080851/https://www.usacs.com/locations/bon-secours-southampton-memorial-hospital |url-status=live }}

Franklin Municipal Power and Light provide electricity for the city.{{Cite web |title=Utilities {{!}} City of Franklin |url=https://www.franklinva.com/residents/utilities/ |access-date=2023-03-18 |website=www.franklinva.com |archive-date=January 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130115013/https://www.franklinva.com/residents/utilities/ |url-status=live }}

• Randy Blythe (1971- ), musician Lamb of God (band)
• Terry Bradshaw, professional baseball coach
• James Leonidas Camp, founder and vice-president of Camp Manufacturing Company, later Union Camp
• Paul Douglas Camp, founder and president of Camp Manufacturing Company, later Union Camp
• Robert Judson Camp, founder and secretary/treasurer of Camp Manufacturing Company, later Union Camp
• Paul Councill, politician
• Colgate Darden (1897-1981), politician, University of Virginia president, namesake of Darden School of Business
• Georgia Mabel DeBaptiste, journalist, teacher, and social worker
• Wyatt Durrette, attorney and politician
• John James Dyer, United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Iowa
• Garland Gray, politician
• Lansing Hatfield, bass-baritone opera singer and radio personality
• Della Irving Hayden (1851-1924), founder of the Franklin Normal and Industrial Institute
• Joseph Holland, stage and screen actor
• Mul Holland, professional baseball player
• Richard Hudson, congressman
• William B. Lindsey, politician
• Pauline C. Morton, educator and activist
• Charlie Peete (1929-1956), baseball player
• William V. Rawlings, attorney and politician
• Fleming Rutledge (1937-), preacher, author, and Episcopalian priest
• B. Scott, television personality, radio show host, and internet celebrity
• Greg Scott (1979- ), professional football player, philanthropist
• Randolph Scott, film actor
• Charlie Whitehead, soul singer

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Franklin, Virginia

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category|Franklin, Virginia}}

• [http://www.franklinva.com/ City of Franklin official website]
• {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20080420235958/http://www.downtownfranklinva.org/ Downtown Franklin official website]}}
• [http://www.franklinsouthamptonva.com Franklin-Southampton Economic Development, Inc. official website]
• [http://www.visitfranklinsouthamptonva.com Escape to Tradition - Official Tourism website]
• [http://www.hreda.com/ Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance], serving Franklin

{{Geographic location

|Centre = Franklin, Virginia

|North = Southampton County

|Northeast =

|East = Isle of Wight County

|Southeast =

|South = Southampton County

|Southwest =

|West = Southampton County

|Northwest =

}}

{{Hampton Roads}}

{{Virginia}}

{{Northeast Megalopolis}}

{{Virginia county seats and independent cities}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Cities in Virginia

Category:Black Belt (U.S. region)

Category:Majority-minority counties and independent cities in Virginia