Franklin MI

A part of Southfield Township in Oakland County, Michigan, Franklin is a village with a population of just 3, 150 at the 2010 US census. Even with a relatively small population, Franklin is famous for its estate-styled homes located on scenic ravines as well as its well-preserved downtown.

Named after Benjamin Franklin in 1831, Elijah Bullock along with other early settlers founded a small town community in 1825. When the Erie Canal opened more people came into the village from New England. Several years later, residents formed their business district taking a leaf from the unusual designed suburban Detroit and were able to still preserve its present name in 1828. Franklin was incorporated as a Home Rule Village on November 8, 1953.

Most of the early settlers were tradesmen such as blacksmiths, masons, bricklayers, carpenters, and a shoemaker. This is one of the main reasons why the village flourished, as these tradesmen build their own businesses including feed and flour mills, a lumber mill, a brick and tile yard, and even distillery and several shops.

Dr. Ebenezer Raynale helped Franklin prosper as being the first ever village postmaster, state legislator, and physician. The first pioneer to open the store in Franklin was the William Huston Store in 1830. Soon businesses like the well-known Broughton Wagon, the Van Every Mills now called as the Ye Olde Cider Mill, two distilleries, two churches, and several taverns. They also have a station on the Underground Railroad system and still pretty much retained the old town vibe of the early Michigan village.

When the Michigan Territorial Council required every township with fifty or more inhabitants to have a school in 1827, Franklin soon established their own. The following year Franklin Village established their own school, the first school in Southfield Township. Sophie Gotie acted as the first teacher who taught twenty-nine students inside a log schoolhouse near the home of one of the early settlers in the village, Daniel Broughton.

For decades, life in the village remains the same but when the automobile industry along with the construction of highways, changed everything. A local developed planned out large single family lots during the 1920s which soon paved the way for estate styled living in Franklin. Today, Franklin preserved its laid back and quaint country living as their economy continues to grow.

Court Houses

46th District Court – Southfield
26000 Evergreen Rd, Southfield, MI 48076, USA

Police Department

Franklin Police Department
32311 Franklin Rd, Franklin, MI 48025, USA

Famous Attractions

Franklin Community Center – Kreger House
26201 Carol Ave, Franklin, MI 48025, USA

Franklin Cider Mill
7450 Franklin Rd, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301, USA

Franklin Hills Country Club
31675 Inkster Rd, Franklin, MI 48025, USA