Franklin, Pennsylvania

{{about|the city in Venango County, Pennsylvania|the borough in Cambria County, Pennsylvania|Franklin, Cambria County, Pennsylvania|other uses|Franklin, Pennsylvania (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                            = Franklin, Pennsylvania
| settlement_type                 = [[City]]
| other_name                      = 
| nickname                        = The Victorian City
| motto                           = 
| postal_code_type                = [[ZIP Code]]
| postal_code                     = 16323
| image_skyline                   = Google Submission - Franklin-1.jpg
| imagesize                       = 
| image_caption                   = Downtown Franklin
| image_flag                      = Flag of Franklin, Pennsylvania.png
| image_seal                      = 
|
| pushpin_map                     = Pennsylvania
| pushpin_label_position          = right
| pushpin_map_caption             = Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
| pushpin_mapsize                 = 
| image_map                       = File:Venango County Pennsylvania Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Franklin Highlighted.svg
| mapsize                         = 
| map_caption                     = Location of Franklin in Venango County, Pennsylvania.
| subdivision_type                = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name                = United States
| subdivision_type1               = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1               = [[Pennsylvania]]
| subdivision_type2               = [[List of counties in Pennsylvania|County]]
| subdivision_name2               = [[Venango County, Pennsylvania|Venango]]
| leader_title                    = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name                     = Doug Baker
| established_title               = Settled
| established_date                = 1740s
| established_title1              = [[Plat]]ted
| established_date1               = 1795
| established_title2              = Incorporated (borough)
| established_date2               = 1828
| established_title3              = Incorporated (city)
| established_date3               = 1868
| area_magnitude                  = 
| area_total_km2                  = 12.44
| area_total_sq_mi                = 4.80
| area_land_km2                   = 12.11
| area_land_sq_mi                 = 4.68
| area_water_km2                  = 0.33
| area_water_sq_mi                = 0.13
| area_water_percent              = 1.70
| area_urban_km2                  = 
| area_urban_sq_mi                = 
| area_metro_km2                  = 
| area_metro_sq_mi                = 
| population_as_of                = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
| population_note                 = <ref name="USCensusEst2020-2021">{{cite web |title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2021 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |website=Census.gov |publisher=US Census Bureau |access-date=17 July 2022}}</ref>
| population_total                = 6077
| population_density_km2          = 501.67
| population_density_sq_mi        = 1299.34
| population_metro                = 
| population_density_metro_km2    = 
| population_density_metro_sq_mi  = 
| population_urban                = 
| population_blank1_title         = [[Demonym]]
| population_blank1               = Franklinite
| timezone                        = [[Eastern Time Zone|EST]]
| utc_offset                      = –5
| timezone_DST                    = EDT
| utc_offset_DST                  = –4
| coordinates                     = {{coord|41|23|52|N|79|49|53|W|region:US-PA|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_m                     = 
| elevation_ft                    = 
| website                         = {{URL|https://franklinpa.gov/|City website}}
| footnotes                       = 
| pop_est_as_of                   = 
| pop_est_footnotes               = 
| population_est                  = 
| unit_pref                       = Imperial
| blank_name                      = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
| blank_info                      = 42-27456
| area_footnotes                  = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer/5/query?where=STATE='42'&outFields=NAME,STATE,PLACE,AREALAND,AREAWATER,LSADC,CENTLAT,CENTLON&orderByFields=PLACE&returnGeometry=false&returnTrueCurves=false&f=json|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref>
| named_for                       = [[Benjamin Franklin]]
|population_footnotes = <ref name="USCensusDecennial2020CenPopScriptOnly"/>
}}

'''Franklin''' is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Venango County, Pennsylvania]], United States, located at the confluence of [[French Creek (Allegheny River tributary)|French Creek]] and the [[Allegheny River]]. The population was 6,097 in the [[2020 United States Census|2020 census]].<ref name="USCensusEst2020-2021"/> Franklin is part of the [[Venango County, Pennsylvania#Micropolitan Statistical Area|Oil City micropolitan area]].

Franklin is known for its three-day autumn festival in October, [[Applefest]], which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors.

== History ==
[[File:McLaurin(1902) pic.063 ANGELL & PRENTICE's Wells below Franklin, PA, in 1873.jpg|thumb|left|Oil wells near Franklin in 1873]]
Franklin is located at the confluence of [[French Creek (Allegheny River tributary)|French Creek]] and the [[Allegheny River]], an important site used for centuries by Native Americans. They had long before developed what became known as the [[Venango Path]], passing from the head of French Creek north to [[Presque Isle Bay]] on [[Lake Erie]]. Via French Creek and the Allegheny River, the portage effectively linked the waterways of the Ohio River and the Great Lakes.

In 1740, Scottish fur trader [[John Fraser (botanist)|John Fraser]] built a trading post here at  Venango, the [[Lenape]] village. The French also had designs on this region.

They wanted to link their colonies of New France (Quebec) north of the Great Lakes, in Illinois Country (accessible via the Ohio River), and [[La Louisiane]], on the lower Mississippi River. As tensions increased between France and Great Britain prior to the onset of the [[French and Indian War]] (as the North American front of the [[Seven Years' War]] was called), the French constructed four forts to control their continued access to the Venango Path and these important waterways. From north to south they were [[Fort Presque Isle]], [[Fort Le Boeuf]] (at the south end of the portage and head of French Creek), [[Fort Machault]], and [[Fort Duquesne]], at the Forks of the Ohio.

In December 1753, [[George Washington]], then a 21-year-old major in the Virginia militia, was sent to [[Fort Le Boeuf]] to warn the French that they were trespassing on British land and should leave. Although providing respite to Washington and his party, the fort commander gave him a letter suggesting that the Governor of Virginia should instead deliver his message to the French commander in Quebec, New France.<ref>''Nos racines, l'histoire vivante des Québécois'', Éditions Comémorative, Livre-Loisir Ltée. p457</ref>

The French maintained this and their other three forts, including at Fort Machault until July 1759, when they surrendered [[Fort Niagara]] to the British. At that time, the commander of Fort Presque Isle sent orders to the commanders of Fort Le Boeuf and Fort Machault to abandon their positions and return north. Before leaving, the French troops burned both of these forts to the ground to prevent their use by the British.

In 1760, the British erected [[Fort Venango]] here, replacing Fort Marchault. In 1763, Native Americans allied with the French killed many British. The British colonists had repeatedly attacked even neutral tribes, such as the Lenape, who then mostly allied with the French. After the war, the British Americans constructed [[Fort Franklin (Pennsylvania)|Fort Franklin]] here, named after [[Benjamin Franklin]].

In 1787 [[Andrew Ellicott]], who surveyed [[Washington, D.C.]], was hired to lay out the town of Franklin, which had developed around the fort. It became a trading center for a largely rural, agricultural region. Once oil was discovered in the late 19th century in nearby [[Titusville, Pennsylvania|Titusville]], Franklin became a booming oil town. After other fields were discovered in Texas and Oklahoma, and oil companies moved west, Franklin developed an industry of machinery companies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://franklinpa.gov/history|title=Franklin History|website=franklinpa.gov|language=en|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:French creek meets allegheny river.jpg|thumb|Confluence of [[French Creek (Allegheny River tributary)|French Creek]] and the [[Allegheny River]] in Franklin]]
Franklin is located at {{Coord|41|23|52|N|79|49|53|W|type:city}} (41.3978, -79.8314).

According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|4.7|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|4.6|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|0.1|sqmi|km2}} (1.70%) is water.

===Climate===
{{Weather box
|location = Franklin, Pennsylvania (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1897–present)
|single line = Y
|width = auto
|Jan record high F = 73
|Feb record high F = 74
|Mar record high F = 90
|Apr record high F = 93
|May record high F = 97
|Jun record high F = 101
|Jul record high F = 106
|Aug record high F = 104
|Sep record high F = 100
|Oct record high F = 90
|Nov record high F = 81
|Dec record high F = 74
|year record high F = 106
|Jan high F = 33.7
|Feb high F = 36.3
|Mar high F = 45.6
|Apr high F = 59.7
|May high F = 70.9
|Jun high F = 78.7
|Jul high F = 82.7
|Aug high F = 81.2
|Sep high F = 74.2
|Oct high F = 61.4
|Nov high F = 49.0
|Dec high F = 38.1
|year high F = 59.3
|Jan mean F = 26.0
|Feb mean F = 27.5
|Mar mean F = 35.5
|Apr mean F = 47.4
|May mean F = 58.5
|Jun mean F = 67.1
|Jul mean F = 71.1
|Aug mean F = 69.8
|Sep mean F = 62.9
|Oct mean F = 51.1
|Nov mean F = 40.3
|Dec mean F = 31.2
|year mean F = 49.0
|Jan low F = 18.3
|Feb low F = 18.7
|Mar low F = 25.4
|Apr low F = 35.2
|May low F = 46.1
|Jun low F = 55.5
|Jul low F = 59.6
|Aug low F = 58.3
|Sep low F = 51.7
|Oct low F = 40.8
|Nov low F = 31.7
|Dec low F = 24.3
|year low F = 38.8
|Jan record low F = −30
|Feb record low F = −27
|Mar record low F = -22
|Apr record low F = 0
|May record low F = 20
|Jun record low F = 28
|Jul record low F = 33
|Aug record low F = 36
|Sep record low F = 23
|Oct record low F = 15
|Nov record low F = 0
|Dec record low F = −14
|year record low F = -30
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 3.27
|Feb precipitation inch = 2.66
|Mar precipitation inch = 3.36
|Apr precipitation inch = 4.15
|May precipitation inch = 4.00
|Jun precipitation inch = 4.86
|Jul precipitation inch = 5.32
|Aug precipitation inch = 4.24
|Sep precipitation inch = 3.94
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.76
|Nov precipitation inch = 3.41
|Dec precipitation inch = 3.36
|year precipitation inch = 46.33
|Jan snow inch = 17.9
|Feb snow inch = 11.5
|Mar snow inch = 8.9
|Apr snow inch = 1.1
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.0
|Nov snow inch = 2.6
|Dec snow inch = 11.7
|year snow inch = 53.7
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 17.9
|Feb precipitation days = 14.7
|Mar precipitation days = 14.2
|Apr precipitation days = 14.3
|May precipitation days = 14.5
|Jun precipitation days = 13.6
|Jul precipitation days = 12.3
|Aug precipitation days = 11.6
|Sep precipitation days = 11.2
|Oct precipitation days = 14.9
|Nov precipitation days = 14.1
|Dec precipitation days = 16.9
|year precipitation days = 170.2
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 9.4
|Feb snow days = 7.5
|Mar snow days = 4.2
|Apr snow days = 0.6
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.0
|Nov snow days = 1.9
|Dec snow days = 6.0
|year snow days = 29.6
|source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref name = NOAA >
{{cite web
| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=pbz
| title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = August 8, 2021}}</ref><ref name=NCEI>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00363028&format=pdf
| title = Station: Franklin, PA
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = August 8, 2021}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1810= 159
|1820= 252
|1830= 410
|1840= 595
|1850= 936
|1860= 1303
|1870= 3876
|1880= 5010
|1890= 5827
|1900= 7167
|1910= 9767
|1920= 9970
|1930= 10254
|1940= 10187
|1950= 10006
|1960= 9586
|1970= 9127
|1980= 8643
|1990= 7926
|2000= 7156
|2010= 6545
|2020= 6097
|estyear=2021
|estimate=6031
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2020-2021"/>
|footnote=Sources:<ref name="USDecennialCensus">{{cite web|title=Census of Population and Housing|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=11 December 2013}}</ref><ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref><ref name=CensusPopEst>{{cite web|title=Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions Datasets: Subcounty Resident Population Estimates: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012|url=https://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2012/SUB-EST2012.html|work=Population Estimates|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=11 December 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611010502/http://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2012/SUB-EST2012.html|archive-date=11 June 2013}}</ref><ref name="USCensusDecennial2020CenPopScriptOnly">{{cite web|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=P1_001N,NAME&for=place:*&in=state:42&key=5ccd0821c15d9f4520e2dcc0f8d92b2ec9336108|title=Census Population API|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=Oct 12, 2022}}</ref>
}}

As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2018, there were 6,078 people, 2,989 households, and 1,814 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,560.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 3,293 housing units at an average density of {{convert|709.8|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 95.18% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 3.19% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.04% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.23% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.01% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.31% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.37% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.67% of the population.

There were 2,989 households, out of which 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.8% were non-families. 35.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.8% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 18.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $23,818, and the median income for a family was $34,718. Males had a median income of $32,912 versus $21,178 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $15,234. About 13.6% of families and 17.3% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 25.4% of those under age 18 and 14.4% of those age 65 or over.

==Arts and culture==
Franklin is home to the [[DeBence Antique Music World]], a museum whose collection contains more than 100 antique mechanical musical instruments.

==Sports==
In 1903, the city was the home of the [[Franklin Athletic Club]], one of the earliest professional football teams. That season, the team was unofficially recognized as the "US Football Champions"<ref>{{cite journal|title=Franklin's Hired Guns: 1903 |journal=Coffin Corner |publisher=Professional Football Researchers Association |pages=1&ndash;3 |url=http://www.profootballresearchers.org/Articles/Franklins_Hired_Guns.pdf |author=PFRA Research |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126224701/http://profootballresearchers.org/Articles/Franklins_Hired_Guns.pdf |archive-date=2010-11-26 }}</ref> and later won the [[World Series of Football (1902-1903)|1903 World Series of Football]], held that December at [[Madison Square Garden (1890)|Madison Square Garden]].<ref>{{cite journal|title=The First Football World Series |journal=Coffin Corner |publisher=Professional Football Researchers Association |volume=2 |issue=Annual |year=1980 |pages=1&ndash;8 |url=http://www.profootballresearchers.org/Coffin_Corner/02-An-054.pdf |author=Carroll, Bob |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101218232146/http://profootballresearchers.org/Coffin_Corner/02-An-054.pdf |archive-date=2010-12-18 }}</ref> The team included several of the era's top players, such as: [[Herman Kerkhoff]], [[Arthur McFarland]], [[Clark Schrontz]], [[Paul Steinberg]], [[Lynn Sweet (American football)|Pop Sweet]], [[Eddie Wood]], and coach [[Blondy Wallace]].<ref>*{{cite journal|title=Franklin's World Champion Football Team|journal=Coffin Corner|publisher=Professional Football Researchers Association|volume=3|issue=Annual|year=1981|pages=1&ndash;4|url=http://www.profootballresearchers.org/Coffin_Corner/03-An-079.pdf|author=Smith, William R.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127042413/http://profootballresearchers.org/Coffin_Corner/03-An-079.pdf|archive-date=2010-11-27}}</ref>

Among other sporting accomplishments, Franklin Area High School has won two state basketball championships. In 2001 and 2006, the boys team, playing in PIAA Class AAA District 10, defeated [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]] Central Catholic out of District 11 and Communications Tech from District 12 ([[Philadelphia Public League]]), respectively.<ref>{{cite web|first=Don|last=Rebel|url=http://www.msasportsnetwork.com/articles.asp?region=1&id=3854|title=2006 PIAA Basketball Finals Preview|publisher=MSA Sports Network|date=2006-03-22|access-date=2008-12-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927202628/http://www.msasportsnetwork.com/articles.asp?region=1&id=3854|archive-date=2007-09-27|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Education==
The [[Franklin Area School District]] currently has [[Franklin Area School District#High school|one high school]], [[Franklin Area School District#Middle school|one middle school]], and three elementary schools (Central Elementary,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.greatschools.org/pennsylvania/franklin/967-Central-El-School/|title=Explore Central Elementary School in Franklin, PA}}</ref> Sandycreek Elementary,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.greatschools.org/pennsylvania/franklin/962-Sandycreek-El-School/|title=Explore Sandycreek Elementary School in Franklin, PA}}</ref> and Victory Elementary<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.schooldigger.com/go/PA/schools/1020006166/school.aspx|title = Victory Elementary School}}</ref>) located throughout the area with an estimated 2278 students.<ref>[http://www.greatschools.net/schools.page?district=213&state=PA+ Info at greatschools.net]</ref>

The [[Valley Grove School District]] currently has [[Valley Grove School District#High school|one high school]] and [[Valley Grove School District#Elementary school|one elementary school]] located in the Franklin area with an estimated 1026 students. It formerly consisted of one high school, one middle school and two elementary schools, but a consolidation and rebuilding project converted the middle school into a single elementary school that reopened in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greatschools.net/schools.page?district=516&state=PA+ |title=Search for Schools in Valley Grove School District |publisher=Great Schools |access-date=2008-12-07}}</ref>

==Transportation==
Franklin is served by the [[Venango Regional Airport]].

==Notable people==
* [[Timothy A. Barrow]] (January 1, 1934 – March 16, 2019), [[Arizona]] businessman and politician
* [[John Wilkes Booth]] (May 10, 1838 – April 26, 1865), [[Abraham Lincoln]]'s [[assassination|assassin]]. In 1864, he formed an oil company in Franklin and resided there while performing at the Franklin Opera House.
* [[Nate Byham]] (born June 27, 1988), [[NFL]] tight end formerly of the [[San Francisco 49ers]]
* [[Kid Butler (infielder)|Kid Butler]], [[MLB]] player
* [[Richard Frame]], politician
* [[Jack Fultz]] (born August 27, 1948), winner of the 1976 [[Boston Marathon]].
* [[Alexander Hays]] (July 8, 1819 – May 5, 1864), USMA graduate and Union general during the [[American Civil War|Civil War]]. Meritorious service at Gettysburg. Killed at the [[Battle of the Wilderness]]
*[[Samuel Hays (Pennsylvania politician)|Samuel Hays]] (1783–1868), U.S. Congressman
* [[Nate Karns]] (born November 25, 1987), MLB pitcher for the [[Baltimore Orioles]]
* [[Judge Robert Lamberton]] (March 20, 1809 – August 7, 1885), associate judge of the Courts of Venango County, Pennsylvania and founder of the Lamberton Savings Bank
* [[Rolland Lawrence]] (born March 24, 1951), [[American football|NFL]] [[cornerback]] for the [[Atlanta Falcons]]
* [[Hildegarde Dolson Lockridge]] (1908–1981), author of mysteries and histories, including ''We Shook the Family Tree''
* [[Ted Marchibroda]] (March 15, 1931 – January 16, 2016), [[American football|NFL]] [[quarterback]] and head coach in the [[National Football League]]
* [[Alexander McDowell]] (March 4, 1845 – September 30, 1913), member of the [[United States House of Representatives]]
* [[Charles Miller (businessman)|Charles Miller]] (June 15, 1843 – December 21, 1927), businessman and commander of the [[28th Infantry Division (United States)|Pennsylvania National Guard Division.]]
* [[Jesse L. Reno]] (April 20, 1823 – September 14, 1862), United States Army [[Major General (United States)|major general]]; Killed at the [[Battle of South Mountain]]
* [[George C. Rickards]] (August 25, 1860 – January 15, 1933), [[Major General (United States)|major general]] in the [[United States Army]] and [[Chief of the National Guard Bureau]]
* [[Sean W. Rowe]] (born 1975), Bishop of the [[Episcopal Church (United States)|Episcopal]] Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania
* [[Frank Saddler]],  (9 September 1864 –25 March 1921)  [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] orchestrator and music arranger; born in Franklin<ref>{{cite book|chapter=Saddler, Frank (b Franklin, PA, 9 Sept 1864; d Brewster, NY, 25 March 1921)|title=The Grove Dictionary of American Music, Second Edition|first=George J.|last= Ferencz|editor-first=Charles Hiroshi|editor-last= Garrett|year=2013|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|isbn= 9780195314281}}</ref>
*[[Joseph C. Sibley]] an American livestock breeder, farmer, and politician who represented northwestern Pennsylvania in the United States House of Representatives for five terms.
* [[Bill Slocum]], politician
* [[George R. Snowden]] (February 12, 1841 – April 21, 1932), [[Major General (United States)|major general]] in the [[Pennsylvania National Guard]] and commander of the [[28th Infantry Division (United States)|Pennsylvania National Guard Division]]
* [[Mary Jo White (Pennsylvania politician)|Mary Jo White]] (born 1941), Pennsylvania state senator
* [[John A. Wiley]] (September 3, 1843 – December 28, 1909), National Guard [[Major General (United States)|major general]] who commanded the [[28th Infantry Division (United States)|28th Infantry Division]]
* [[Howard Zahniser]] (February 25, 1906 – May 5, 1964), environmental activist who authored the [[Wilderness Act]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{commons category-inline|Franklin, Pennsylvania}}
*{{Wikivoyage inline|Franklin (Venango County)|Franklin, Pennsylvania}}

{{Venango County, Pennsylvania}} {{Venango}}
{{County Seats of Pennsylvania}}
{{PA Home Rule Municipality}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Cities in Venango County, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:County seats in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Populated places established in the 1740s]]
[[Category:1795 establishments in Pennsylvania]]