Franklin, Massachusetts
Encyclopedia
The Town of Franklin is a city in Norfolk County
, Massachusetts
, United States
. The population was 31,635 at the 2010 census.
. The town was formed from the western part of the town of Wrentham
on February 16, 1778; its designated name at incorporation was to be Exeter. However, the town chose to be called Franklin in honor of the statesman Benjamin Franklin
, the first municipality in the United States to be so named. In response to receipt of the honor, Dr. Franklin donated 116 volumes to form what is called "America's First Public Library". The collection is currently on display at the library. The city is also home to the birth place of America's father of public education, Horace Mann
. Franklin is home to what may be the nation's oldest continuously operational one-room school house (Croydon, NH's school dates to 1780, but there is debate as to whether it is truly "one room"). The Red Brick School was started in 1792 and the building was constructed in 1833 and was operational until 2008. St. Mary's Catholic church, located in central Franklin and built by Matthew Sullivan
, is the largest Catholic parish in the Boston Archdiocese with some 15,000 members.
According to the United States Census Bureau the town has a total area of 27 square miles (69.9 km²), of which 26.7 square miles (69.2 km²) is land and 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²) (1.00%) is water.
Most of Franklin lies within the Charles River
watershed. Principal streams include Mine Brook, Shepard's Brook, Miller Brook, Uncas Brook, Dix Brook and Miscoe Brook. Much of the marshland along Mine Brook has been permanently protected by the Natural Valley Storage Project of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The extreme southwest corner of Franklin is part of the Blackstone River
watershed. The town has an impounded series of lakes known as the Franklin Reservoir, but not used as a public drinking water supply. The lakes are now protected open space donated to the town by the late Ernest DelCarte. Beaver Pond also is a municipal recreation area and includes an artificial turf playing and recreation field, and playground. In the summer, it is a popular spot for swimming and fishing. The beach is also used for volleyball games. Significant public forests and parks include the Franklin State Forest, off Grove Street, the Franklin Town Forest, off Summer Street.
of 2000, there were 29,561 people, 10,152 households, and 7,877 families residing in the city.
The population density
was 1105.4 PD/sqmi. There were 10,327 housing units at an average density of 386.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 95.95% White, 1.08% African American, 0.15% Native American, 1.66% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.29% from other races
, and 0.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.08% of the population.
There were 10,152 households out of which 44.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.4% were married couples
living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.4% were non-families. 18.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.85 and the average family size was 3.29.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.3% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 35.1% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 8.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 96.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $71,174, and the median income for a family was $81,826 (these figures had risen to $89,659 and $101,900, respectively, as of a 2008 estimate). Males had a median income of $58,888 versus $36,557 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $27,849. About 2.2% of families and 2.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.8% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.
Dean College
is also located in the town. The town is represented in the Massachusetts General Court
by Representative Jim Vallee and Senators Richard Ross and Karen Spilka
.
The elementary schools are John F. Kennedy Elementary School, Jefferson Elementary School, Oak Street Elementary School, Gerald M. Parmenter Elementary School, Helen Keller Elementary School, and Davis Thayer Elementary School. The Red Brick School is a historic school in Franklin, Massachusetts. It was strictly for kindergarten students and was one of the longest running one-room schools in America.
The middle schools are Annie Sullivan Middle School, Remington Middle School, and Horace Mann Middle School. All of the Franklin middle schools share a building with at least one other school. Annie Sullivan shares with Helen Keller Elementary, Remington with Jefferson Elementary, and Horace Mann shares with Oak Street Elementary school and the Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC).
Franklin High School
is home of the Panthers, Franklin's mascot. Franklin High School has approximately 1800 students.
The other two public schools located in Franklin are the Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School
, and the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School.
Both of these schools operate independently of the Franklin Public Schools.
The quality of Franklin Public Schools is part of the reason that "Family Circle Magazine" named Franklin as one of the top ten towns in the United States to raise a family. Franklin High School is expected to be renovated soon.
Franklin is also home to Dean College. Dean, founded in 1865, is a private residential college with about 1,100 students. The college grants associate degrees in a number of subjects (98% of the students are accepted for transfer to four year schools); but also offers two bachelor's programs in Dance and Arts and Entertainment Management; as well as bachelor's degrees in conjunction with Boston-based Suffolk University. Dean also offers an extensive continuing education program.
From 1967 through 2000, Franklin was home to a small downhill ski area called Klein Innsbruck.
. Across the street from the library is Dean College
, with Gothic architecture and a historic old gymnasium.
According to a survey of the center of Franklin done for the Historical Commission of the town, the Franklin Common Historic District
includes 74 historical contributing buildings. The oldest house dates to 1780 and was moved to Union Street in 1840. The next oldest house was built in 1830. There are 32 buildings that were built before 1900. The former Town Hall on West Central Street was built in 1842.
At one end of Franklin's Historic District is the little Red Brick School. This one room classroom, believed to be one of the oldest still functioning as a public school in the United States, celebrated its 175th birthday in 2008.
The Franklin Town Common features a gazebo, and several dedications located around the common.The brick bandstand on the Town Common was dedicated in 1917 and contributed by the Hayward family. Concerts and a Fourth of July celebration are held on the Common each summer. The Feast of St Rocco, a four day family festival is held each year in mid-August. There are amusement rides, live entertainment, delicious Italian food, and lots more.
Downtown there are a series of restaurants and bars. The street lines on Union Street used to be painted red, white, and green to reflect the extensive Italian heritage in the city. The Zeotrope was an old fashioned movie theater that was a trademark of Franklin lore until it was torn down.
The Franklin School for the Performing Arts is an anchor in downtown, catering to over 1,000 students in dance, music and theater. Their Electric Youth troupe tours Europe every other year.
At Beaver Pond, there is an astro-turf playing and recreation field, and playground. In the summer, it is a popular spot for swimming and fishing. The beach is also used for volleyball games.
The town also contains remnants of its Industrial Revolution background. Until recently, abandoned mills existed along the railroad tracks. One old mill building was turned into residential condos and a nearby building consists of a variety of multiple-use commercial businesses, including the Franklin Mill Store.The Brookdale Mill on the other side of Franklin was converted into Incontro, an upscale restaurant.A fourth mill on Hayward street was converted to upscale shopping.
Commuter rail
service from Boston's South Station
is provided by the MBTA with the Forge Park/495
and Franklin
stops on its Franklin Line
.
Franklin, and the surrounding towns also have a bus system, that is part of the GATRA bus authority. The bus route features many stops around the town, including the Municipal Building, Senior Center, Franklin Public Library and The Franklin Village Shopping center.
, Essex
, Hampden
, Nantucket
(coextensive with its namesake county), Norfolk
, Plymouth and Worcester
, all of which are located in the similarly named county, Franklin, MA is not located in Franklin County
. It is approximately 60 mi/100 km, south-east to north-west, 'as the crow flies'
between Franklin, MA and the closest point in Franklin County, MA.
Norfolk County, Massachusetts
-National protected areas:* Adams National Historical Park* Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area * Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site* John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site-Demographics:...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 31,635 at the 2010 census.
History
Franklin was first settled by Europeans in 1660 and was officially incorporated during the American RevolutionAmerican Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
. The town was formed from the western part of the town of Wrentham
Wrentham, Massachusetts
Wrentham is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 10,955 at the 2010 census.- History :Wrentham was first settled by the English in 1660 and officially incorporated in 1673. It was burned down during King Philip's War 1675-1676. For a short time, it was the...
on February 16, 1778; its designated name at incorporation was to be Exeter. However, the town chose to be called Franklin in honor of the statesman Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
, the first municipality in the United States to be so named. In response to receipt of the honor, Dr. Franklin donated 116 volumes to form what is called "America's First Public Library". The collection is currently on display at the library. The city is also home to the birth place of America's father of public education, Horace Mann
Horace Mann
Horace Mann was an American education reformer, and a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1827 to 1833. He served in the Massachusetts Senate from 1834 to 1837. In 1848, after serving as Secretary of the Massachusetts State Board of Education since its creation, he was...
. Franklin is home to what may be the nation's oldest continuously operational one-room school house (Croydon, NH's school dates to 1780, but there is debate as to whether it is truly "one room"). The Red Brick School was started in 1792 and the building was constructed in 1833 and was operational until 2008. St. Mary's Catholic church, located in central Franklin and built by Matthew Sullivan
Matthew Sullivan
Matthew Sullivan was an American architect whose practice specialized in ecclesiastical design.-Early life and architectural training:Sullivan was born in Boston and trained in the office of Edmund M. Wheelwright, Boston City Architect...
, is the largest Catholic parish in the Boston Archdiocese with some 15,000 members.
Geography
Franklin is located at 42°5′N 71°24′W (42.0891, -71.4069).According to the United States Census Bureau the town has a total area of 27 square miles (69.9 km²), of which 26.7 square miles (69.2 km²) is land and 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²) (1.00%) is water.
Most of Franklin lies within the Charles River
Charles River
The Charles River is an long river that flows in an overall northeasterly direction in eastern Massachusetts, USA. From its source in Hopkinton, the river travels through 22 cities and towns until reaching the Atlantic Ocean at Boston...
watershed. Principal streams include Mine Brook, Shepard's Brook, Miller Brook, Uncas Brook, Dix Brook and Miscoe Brook. Much of the marshland along Mine Brook has been permanently protected by the Natural Valley Storage Project of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The extreme southwest corner of Franklin is part of the Blackstone River
Blackstone River
The Blackstone River is a river in the U.S. states of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It flows approximately 48 mi and drains a watershed of approximately 540 sq. mi...
watershed. The town has an impounded series of lakes known as the Franklin Reservoir, but not used as a public drinking water supply. The lakes are now protected open space donated to the town by the late Ernest DelCarte. Beaver Pond also is a municipal recreation area and includes an artificial turf playing and recreation field, and playground. In the summer, it is a popular spot for swimming and fishing. The beach is also used for volleyball games. Significant public forests and parks include the Franklin State Forest, off Grove Street, the Franklin Town Forest, off Summer Street.
Climate
Franklin's climate is typical of Eastern Massachusetts. Franklin experiences a wide range of temperatures from winter to summer. Average January high temperatures are near 34 degrees while the average low is around 19. Franklin averages around 50 inches of snow in a winter season, however snowfall varies considerably from year to year. The winter of 1988-89 saw only about 12 inches of snow, while the record breaking year of 1995-96 saw about 125 inches. Franklin is often hit by Nor'Easters, and is located near the dividing rain/snow line which often sets up just to the south which affects snowfall amounts greatly. It is not uncommon for there to be much less snow 10–20 miles south of Franklin towards the Taunton area in an average storm, while north towards Hopkinton there can be considerably more. In an average snowstorm Franklin will usually pick up more snow than Providence or Boston due to its location further inland away from the influence of milder ocean air. Springtime sees the last frost usually in mid May, with frequent "Backdoor Coldfronts" which move inland from the Atlantic Ocean bringing cold and raw conditions and sometimes fog. There are instances where temperatures can go from the 80s to the 60s in the span of an afternoon in May and June from these fronts. Generally, temperatures consistently above 70 degrees set in towards late May. Summer in Franklin is usually pleasant, with occasional high humidity and thunderstorms. Average July high temperatures are in the low 80s, with average July lows in the low 60s. Fall brings less humid weather with mild days and cool nights. The average frost is around October 1, with the peak foliage season usually falling around the Columbus Day weekend. The first snow usually occurs by late November and Franklin can expect a "White Christmas" about 40 percent of the time. Recent temperature extremes range from minus 14 degrees in January 2011 to an unusually high temperature of 101 in July of 2011, which came the year after the hottest summer on record in New England with unusual relentless high humidity. The winter of 2010-11 was especially severe in regards to snow depth. Nearly 3 foot (0.9144 m) of snow stayed on the ground from January 2011 into the first week of March. Total snowfall for the 2010-2011 winter in Franklin was 92 inches, almost twice the normal amount.Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 29,561 people, 10,152 households, and 7,877 families residing in the city.
The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1105.4 PD/sqmi. There were 10,327 housing units at an average density of 386.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 95.95% White, 1.08% African American, 0.15% Native American, 1.66% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.29% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.08% of the population.
There were 10,152 households out of which 44.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.4% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.4% were non-families. 18.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.85 and the average family size was 3.29.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.3% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 35.1% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 8.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 96.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $71,174, and the median income for a family was $81,826 (these figures had risen to $89,659 and $101,900, respectively, as of a 2008 estimate). Males had a median income of $58,888 versus $36,557 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $27,849. About 2.2% of families and 2.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.8% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.
Dean College
Dean College
Dean College is a private college granting both associate degrees in 15 majors, and baccalaureate degrees in 5 majors. The College is located in Franklin, Massachusetts. Students can earn a bachelor's degree from Dean in Business, Arts and Entertainment Management, Dance, Liberal Arts and Studies...
is also located in the town. The town is represented in the Massachusetts General Court
Massachusetts General Court
The Massachusetts General Court is the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The name "General Court" is a hold-over from the Colonial Era, when this body also sat in judgment of judicial appeals cases...
by Representative Jim Vallee and Senators Richard Ross and Karen Spilka
Karen Spilka
Karen E. Spilka is a Massachusetts State Senator of the Democratic Party. She represents the Second Middlesex and Norfolk District. That includes Ashland, Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton and Natick, precincts 1 to 5, inclusive, and 8, in the county of Middlesex; Franklin, precincts 1 and 5 to 8,...
.
Education
The Franklin Public Schools serve over 6000 students in six elementary schools, three middle schools, and one high school. Franklin is also home to one regional vo-tech high school and one Charter School (Grades K - 8).The elementary schools are John F. Kennedy Elementary School, Jefferson Elementary School, Oak Street Elementary School, Gerald M. Parmenter Elementary School, Helen Keller Elementary School, and Davis Thayer Elementary School. The Red Brick School is a historic school in Franklin, Massachusetts. It was strictly for kindergarten students and was one of the longest running one-room schools in America.
The middle schools are Annie Sullivan Middle School, Remington Middle School, and Horace Mann Middle School. All of the Franklin middle schools share a building with at least one other school. Annie Sullivan shares with Helen Keller Elementary, Remington with Jefferson Elementary, and Horace Mann shares with Oak Street Elementary school and the Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC).
Franklin High School
Franklin High School (Massachusetts)
Franklin High SchoolFranklin High School is a public high school located in Franklin, Massachusetts, USA.Their main sports rival is King Philip Regional High School in neighboring Wrentham, Massachusetts.-Athletics:* Mascot: Panther...
is home of the Panthers, Franklin's mascot. Franklin High School has approximately 1800 students.
The other two public schools located in Franklin are the Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School
Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School
Tri-County is a technical high school in Franklin, Massachusetts. After the 2010-11 school year Barbara Renzoni retired after five years as superintendent. The school committee named Stephen Dockray, formerly the district's business manager, as the next superintendent.-Towns in District:As a...
, and the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School.
Both of these schools operate independently of the Franklin Public Schools.
The quality of Franklin Public Schools is part of the reason that "Family Circle Magazine" named Franklin as one of the top ten towns in the United States to raise a family. Franklin High School is expected to be renovated soon.
Franklin is also home to Dean College. Dean, founded in 1865, is a private residential college with about 1,100 students. The college grants associate degrees in a number of subjects (98% of the students are accepted for transfer to four year schools); but also offers two bachelor's programs in Dance and Arts and Entertainment Management; as well as bachelor's degrees in conjunction with Boston-based Suffolk University. Dean also offers an extensive continuing education program.
Sports
Franklin boasts many sports teams. For public recreation, Franklin offers baseball, soccer, volleyball, lacrosse, field hockey, ice hockey, track and field, football, flag football, basketball, metro basketball, softball, Babe Ruth baseball, and wrestling. There are many trails for recreational hiking and some trails in the Franklin State Forest are approved for non-motorized mountain biking while others are approved for motorized 2 wheeled dirtbikes.From 1967 through 2000, Franklin was home to a small downhill ski area called Klein Innsbruck.
Points of interest
The Franklin Public Library is an excellent place to begin exploring Franklin. It is the first public library in America. It is a 1904 building with granite and marble staircases, frescoed walls in the reading room and houses the original books donated by Benjamin FranklinBenjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
. Across the street from the library is Dean College
Dean College
Dean College is a private college granting both associate degrees in 15 majors, and baccalaureate degrees in 5 majors. The College is located in Franklin, Massachusetts. Students can earn a bachelor's degree from Dean in Business, Arts and Entertainment Management, Dance, Liberal Arts and Studies...
, with Gothic architecture and a historic old gymnasium.
According to a survey of the center of Franklin done for the Historical Commission of the town, the Franklin Common Historic District
Franklin Common Historic District
Franklin Common Historic District is a historic district and town common on Main, High, Union, Pleasant Streets and Church Square inFranklin, Massachusetts.The area was founded in 1787 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005....
includes 74 historical contributing buildings. The oldest house dates to 1780 and was moved to Union Street in 1840. The next oldest house was built in 1830. There are 32 buildings that were built before 1900. The former Town Hall on West Central Street was built in 1842.
At one end of Franklin's Historic District is the little Red Brick School. This one room classroom, believed to be one of the oldest still functioning as a public school in the United States, celebrated its 175th birthday in 2008.
The Franklin Town Common features a gazebo, and several dedications located around the common.The brick bandstand on the Town Common was dedicated in 1917 and contributed by the Hayward family. Concerts and a Fourth of July celebration are held on the Common each summer. The Feast of St Rocco, a four day family festival is held each year in mid-August. There are amusement rides, live entertainment, delicious Italian food, and lots more.
Downtown there are a series of restaurants and bars. The street lines on Union Street used to be painted red, white, and green to reflect the extensive Italian heritage in the city. The Zeotrope was an old fashioned movie theater that was a trademark of Franklin lore until it was torn down.
The Franklin School for the Performing Arts is an anchor in downtown, catering to over 1,000 students in dance, music and theater. Their Electric Youth troupe tours Europe every other year.
At Beaver Pond, there is an astro-turf playing and recreation field, and playground. In the summer, it is a popular spot for swimming and fishing. The beach is also used for volleyball games.
The town also contains remnants of its Industrial Revolution background. Until recently, abandoned mills existed along the railroad tracks. One old mill building was turned into residential condos and a nearby building consists of a variety of multiple-use commercial businesses, including the Franklin Mill Store.The Brookdale Mill on the other side of Franklin was converted into Incontro, an upscale restaurant.A fourth mill on Hayward street was converted to upscale shopping.
Transportation
Franklin has easy access to major cities like Boston and Providence because of its 2 exits along I-495 at RT. 140 and King St.Commuter rail
Regional rail
Commuter rail, also called suburban rail, is a passenger rail transport service that primarily operates between a city center, and the middle to outer suburbs beyond 15km and commuter towns or other locations that draw large numbers of commuters—people who travel on a daily basis...
service from Boston's South Station
South Station
South Station, New England's second-largest transportation center , located at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Summer Street in Dewey Square, Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest train station and intercity bus terminal in Greater Boston, a prominent train station in the northeastern...
is provided by the MBTA with the Forge Park/495
Forge Park/495 (MBTA station)
Forge Park/495 is a station on the MBTA Franklin Line. The station is the terminus of the line. The station is located in Franklin, Massachusetts and is near Interstate 495 and Massachusetts Route 140. The station has a parking lot with 716 spaces and 15 accessible spaces; spaces cost $4.00 each...
and Franklin
Franklin/Dean College (MBTA station)
The Franklin/Dean College station is located at 75 Depot Street in downtown Franklin, Massachusetts. There are 200parking spaces at the station that cost $4.00 a day; payment is collected using the honor box system. Tickets can be purchased at the station along with various food and drink...
stops on its Franklin Line
Franklin Line
The Franklin Line of the MBTA Commuter Rail runs from Boston's South Station in a southwesterly direction toward Franklin, Massachusetts. Most Franklin Line trains connect to the Providence/Stoughton Line at Readville though some weekday trains use the Fairmount Line to access South Station...
.
Franklin, and the surrounding towns also have a bus system, that is part of the GATRA bus authority. The bus route features many stops around the town, including the Municipal Building, Senior Center, Franklin Public Library and The Franklin Village Shopping center.
Trivia
The city of Franklin is located in Norfolk County. Unlike the municipalities of BarnstableBarnstable, Massachusetts
Barnstable is a city, referred to as the Town of Barnstable, in the U.S. state of Massachusetts and the county seat of Barnstable County. Barnstable is the largest community, both in land area and population, on Cape Cod. The town contains seven villages within its boundaries...
, Essex
Essex, Massachusetts
Essex is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, north of Boston. The population was 3,504 at the 2010 census.Part of the town comprises the census-designated place of Essex.- History :...
, Hampden
Hampden, Massachusetts
-Transportation:Hampden is one of sixteen towns in Massachusetts that has no numbered highways or state routes. Of these, half are on the islands, and one is the North Shore town of Nahant. Of the rest, Hampden is the easternmost town to have this distinction. In fact, the town does not even have...
, Nantucket
Nantucket, Massachusetts
Nantucket is an island south of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, in the United States. Together with the small islands of Tuckernuck and Muskeget, it constitutes the town of Nantucket, Massachusetts, and the coterminous Nantucket County, which are consolidated. Part of the town is designated the Nantucket...
(coextensive with its namesake county), Norfolk
Norfolk, Massachusetts
Norfolk is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States with a population of 10,460 people in 2,818 households at the 2000 census. Formerly known as North Wrentham, Norfolk broke away to become an independent town in 1870.-History:...
, Plymouth and Worcester
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....
, all of which are located in the similarly named county, Franklin, MA is not located in Franklin County
Franklin County, Massachusetts
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 71,535 people, 29,466 households, and 18,416 families residing in the county. The population density was 102 people per square mile . There were 31,939 housing units at an average density of 46 per square mile...
. It is approximately 60 mi/100 km, south-east to north-west, 'as the crow flies'
As the crow flies
"As the crow flies" or beelining is an idiom for the shortest route between two points; the geodesic distance.An example is the great-circle distance between Key West and Pensacola, at either end of the U.S...
between Franklin, MA and the closest point in Franklin County, MA.
Notable residents
Unless otherwise noted, individuals are current residents of Franklin.- Tom BradyTom BradyThomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.He has played in four Super Bowls,...
, football player, former resident of Franklin - Jay HeapsJay HeapsJay Heaps ) is a former American soccer player. He is the current head coach for the New England Revolution in Major League Soccer....
, soccer player, New England RevolutionNew England RevolutionThe New England Revolution is an American professional association football club based in Foxborough, Massachusetts which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada... - Peter LaviolettePeter LaviolettePeter Laviolette Jr. is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman and is the current head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League...
, current Head Coach of the Philadelphia Flyers, former Head Coach of the 2006 Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes. Coached Team USA in the 2006 Olympics in Italy, grew up in Franklin - Horace MannHorace MannHorace Mann was an American education reformer, and a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1827 to 1833. He served in the Massachusetts Senate from 1834 to 1837. In 1848, after serving as Secretary of the Massachusetts State Board of Education since its creation, he was...
, educator, born in Franklin - Josh MillerJosh MillerJosh Miller is a former American football punter and current football analyst.He was signed by the Baltimore Stallions of the Canadian Football League as an undrafted free agent in 1994...
, football player, former resident of Franklin - Jimmy Rodgers (basketball)Jimmy Rodgers (basketball)James Donald "Jimmy" Rodgers is an American former basketball coach. He coached the Boston Celtics for two seasons, and the Minnesota Timberwolves for nearly a season and a half...
, basketball coach, resident of Franklin - Ed RonanEd RonanEdward Ronan is a former professional hockey player from 1991-1998.He played in the NHL for the Montreal Canadiens, Winnipeg Jets and Buffalo Sabres. He won the Stanley Cup in 1993 with Montreal....
, hockey player - Asante SamuelAsante SamuelAsante T. Samuel is an American football cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
, football player, former resident of Franklin - Bobby Santos IIIBobby Santos IIIRobert "Bobby" Santos III is an American racecar driver from Franklin, Massachusetts. He graduated in 2004 from Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School. Santos, nicknamed "Bobby New England", is the grandson of Bobby Santos, a former modified racer. His sister, Erica Santos, is also...
, NASCARNASCARThe National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
driver, born in Franklin - Vince WilforkVince Wilfork-2004–06 seasons:The Patriots drafted Wilfork with the 21st overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. In his rookie 2004 season with the Patriots, he compiled two sacks, 42 tackles, and three deflected passes...
, football player - Ilario ZanninoIlario ZanninoIlario "Larry Baione" Maria Antonio Zannino was the muscle and chief gambling honcho for Raymond J. Patriarca and the Patriarca crime family. Zannino was said to be the second-highest-ranking figure in the Boston faction of the Patriarca family...
, mobster, former resident of Franklin - Ty LawTy LawTajuan "Ty" Law is a retired football cornerback of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots 23rd overall in the 1995 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan....
, football player, former resident of Franklin - Bob Ward, Fox News
- Ellis HobbsEllis HobbsEllis Hobbs III is a former American football cornerback who played for six seasons in the National Football League. He played college football for Iowa State. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft and played for them from 2005–2008...
, former Patriots player, former resident of Franklin - Kevin Lemanowicz, Fox News Chief Meteorologist.