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OUR NAME - Yes, you guessed it, we are named after
Benjamin Franklin and no, he never slept here.
LOCATION - North Central Iowa - 42° 44’30.61”
N 93° 12.08’.94”W Latitude: 42 45N Longitude: 093 11W
GOVERNMENT - Three member Board of Supervisors. Incorporated
communities have their own mayors and city councils.
POPULATION - 2010 Census 10,680.
ANCESTRY - We are a good mix of many nationalities, but are
predominately of German heritage.
HISTORY - The first Franklin County settlers arrived in 1852.
Job Garner built the first cabin, and the first house in Hampton was built in
1865 on what is now known as the Hotel Coonley block. The first courthouse for
the county was erected in 1857.
FAMOUS PEOPLE - Author/Artist Bob Artley, Jack Bailey - "Queen
for a Day" Television host, William D. Leahy, 5-star fleet admiral for
the Navy, Dr.Milton Wirtz - Inventor of the acrylic artificial eye, Attorney
James E. Coonley, Sr - successfully prosecuted the first drunk-driving charge
in the US using blood alcohol evidence
WEATHER - We enjoy temp averages in the upper 70's to 80's
in the summer and temps below 32 during the winter months. Our falls are classic
sweater-weather with great foliage and our springs bring the showers the flowers
need.
While not losing sight of our roots, we stride into the future with
confidence and optimism. There is a definate place in this world for communities
like ours and we would love to have you join us.
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Spillway at Beeds Lake |
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