Franklin, Indiana

City of Franklin, Indiana
City
Johnson County courthouse in Franklin
Seal
Location in the state of Indiana
Country	United States
State	Indiana
County	Johnson
Government
• Mayor	Fred L. Paris (I)
Area
• Total	11.3 sq mi (29.2 km2)
• Land	11.3 sq mi (29.2 km2)
• Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation	725 ft (221 m)
Population  (2007)
• Total	22,672
• Density	1,729/sq mi (667.4/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	46131
Area code	317
FIPS code	18-25450Template:GR
GNIS feature ID	0434762Template:GR
Website	www.franklin-in.gov

Franklin is a city in Johnson County, Indiana, United States. The population was 22,672 at the 2007 census. The city is the county seat of Johnson CountyTemplate:GR. It is named after Benjamin Franklin.

Geography

Franklin is located at 39°29′23″N 86°3′24″W (39.489585, -86.056784)Template:GR, twenty miles south of Indianapolis and 90 miles north of Louisville, Kentucky, on I-65 and U.S. 31.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.3 square miles (29.2 km²), all of it land.

There are three small waterways in Franklin: Canary Creek and Hurricane Creek flow into Young's Creek. These creeks flood frequently, and their small floodplain form the basis of Franklin's walkways and parks, which extend the entire length of the town. Hurricane Creek empties into Young's Creek in Province Park, downtown, and empty into the Big Blue River farther South. There is also a buried stream, Roaring Run, that flows beneath Franklin. In 2008, all of these streams overflowed in the June 2008 Midwest floods, which damaged or destroyed over 100 homes throughout Franklin, including some entire neighborhoods.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 19,463 people, 6,824 households, and 4,872 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,728.1 people per square mile (667.4/km²). There were 7,432 housing units at an average density of 659.9/sq mi (254.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.7% White, 1.2% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.59% from other races, and 0.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.31% of the population.

There were 6,824 households out of which 37.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.7% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.6% were non-families. 23.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 11.5% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 16.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 88.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $45,414, and the median income for a family was $52,304. Males had a median income of $37,509 versus $25,601 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,937. About 4.5% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.7% of those under age 18 and 10.3% of those age 65 or over.

Franklin Wonder Five

The small town became nationally famous during the 1920s due to the fame of the local basketball team that became known as the Franklin Wonder Five. A small group who had played together as boys led by Fuzzy Vandivier and coached by Griz Wagner went on to become the first high school team to win the state championship for 3 consecutive years (1920-22). They then moved on to local Franklin College where they were proclaimed national champions in 1923 and even turned down an offer to play the top professional team New York Celtics.

Attractions

Downtown Franklin is noted for the number of well-maintained, older houses. Landmark buildings include the Johnson County Courthouse, Old Main of Franklin College, and the Artcraft Theatre.

The Franklin Parks & Recreation Department maintains several miles of walking trails which connects various parks, community centers, the public library, and the public pool. The park was closed for the entire Summer of 2008 due to flood damage.

Franklin is home of the first Ritters Frozen Custard in the world.

Notable natives and former residents

• John Jackson, born in Pennsylvania, his wife Rebecca, and their children Margaret and John C. Jackson resided here in 1850.
• Paul V. McNutt, governor of Indiana from 1933 to 1937, was born in Franklin on July 19, 1891.
• Roger D. Branigin, governor of Indiana from 1965 to 1969, was born in Franklin on July 26, 1902.
• Hal Fryar, actor and television personality, lives in Franklin.
• Fuzzy Vandivier, Hall of Fame basketball player, was born in Franklin on December 26, 1903.
• Gene White, basketball player for the 1954 state champion Milan Indians (inspiration for the movie Hoosiers), lives in Franklin and has taught at Franklin College and Franklin Community High School.
• Steve Alford, current University of New Mexico basketball coach, was born in Franklin on November 23, 1964.
• George Crowe, attended Franklin High School (see his baseball biography), was the first Indiana Mr. Basketball in 1939, and played professional basketball for 7 years with Los Angeles Red Devils, New York Renaissance and Harlem Yankees Major League baseball 10 years, with the Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Braves and St. Louis Cardinals. Crowe Field, the baseball field at the former Franklin Community High School, now the new middle school, was named in his honor.
• Jon Schaffer, founder and leader of Iced Earth Heavy metal band was born in Franklin.
• Sunder Nix, 1984 Summer Olympics Gold Medalist in the men's 4x400 meter relay for the United States resides in Franklin
• Jon McGlocklin, born in Franklin on June 10, 1943. Played college basketball at Indiana University. Selected by the Cincinnati Royals in the third round of the 1965 NBA Draft. Won an NBA Championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1971. #14 jersey was retired by the Bucks. Member of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association, and Wisconsin Sports Hall of Fame. Jon also is the founder of the MACC Fund.
• Robert M. Kutruff, Iraq War Veteran and war videographer grew up in Franklin and graduated from Franklin Community High School. Robert also had an appearance in the movie "Patriot Act, a Jeffrey Ross movie". Robert's video footage of the war has been used on the Military Channel,Discovery Channel, and the History Channel, as well as countless news sources around the globe. Robert currently lives in Indianapolis, Indiana.
• Marjorie Main, born just across the county line, in Acton, and attended Franklin College. Gained fame as an actress, especially as "Ma Kettle" in the Ma and Pa Kettle movies.

External links

• Official Webpage
• Franklin College
• Franklin High School Building Project
• Vintage Life Magazine photos of Franklin