The National Park Service has announced that a portion of the 207-acre Franklin College campus has been designated as a National Register Historic District. The recognition refers specifically to a geographically defined area containing a collection of historically significant properties that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
“Achieving recognition as a National Register Historic District affirms the legacy of Franklin College and its impact on higher education for nearly 200 years. This designation amplifies the fact that thousands of students have benefited from a Franklin College education and gone on to impact the world in myriad significant ways. It also speaks to the enduring relevance and importance of Franklin College as we continue to educate future professional and community leaders.”
— Franklin College President Kerry N. Prather
The district is roughly bounded by East Monroe Street on the north, South Forsythe Street on the east, Grizzly Drive and Park Avenue on the south, and Branigin Boulevard on the west. The core of the district is Dame Mall, nearly one-thousand feet long and named after the first Franklin College graduate, John Wesley Dame. It is fronted by most of the contributing resources in the district, which include 10 buildings, 1 site, 2 structures and 6 objects. Two buildings, Old Main and Shirk Hall, are included and are previous National Register of Historic Places resources. A contributing resource refers to any building, site, structure or object that is considered part of the district’s story and contributes to its value as a historic place. The district also includes 16 non-contributing resources.
