An aerial photograph of the Franklin College campus from around 1930.

Franklin College

A BRIEF HIstory of

Photograph of Franklin College alumnus and former Indiana Gov. Roger Branigin.

  • 1834

    A Brief History of Franklin College

    An aerial photograph of Old Main at Franklin College taken around 1930.

    Since it was founded in 1834, Franklin College has been a leader in higher education.

  • 5 Jun 1834

    Franklin College is founded

    Image of a drawing of Old Main at Franklin College from 1898.

    Originally known as the Indiana Baptist Manual Labor Institute, Franklin College was founded as an educational society by Baptist ministers and laymen.

  • 1842

    Women's class created

    Historic photograph of women at Franklin College.

    Franklin College admits 28 women to a Women's Department making it the first coeducational college in Indiana.

  • 1844

    First permanent building started

    An aerial photograph of Old Main at Franklin College taken around 1930.

    Construction begins on Chandler Hall, also known as Old North, to be the first permanent building on campus. Construction is finished in 1847.

  • 1847

    First graduate

    Photograph of John Wesley Dame, the first graduate of Franklin College.

    John Wesley Dame becomes the first graduate of Franklin College. In 1970, the college dedicates Dame Mall in his honor.

  • 1874

    First women graduate

    Prudence Hougham, Viola Parks and Theodosia Parks become the first women to graduate from Franklin College.

  • 1899

    Official school colors

    An image of the cover of the Franklin College yearbook from 1898.

    The college declares its official school colors to be old gold and navy blue.

  • 1902

    First African American graduate

    Photograph of Arthur Wilson, who became the first African American graduate of Franklin College in 1902.

    Arthur Wilson becomes the first African American to graduate from Franklin College, preparing for a distinguished career as a medical doctor.

  • 1918

    Dawn of the Wonder Five

    Photograph of the Wonder Five basketball team with Coach Ernest Bishop "Griz" Wagner.

    Members of the Wonder Five basketball team begin playing together at Alva Neal High School in Franklin winning three consecutive championships. They go on to play together with their coach at Franklin College, winning a national championship in 1923.

  • 1924

    Roger D. Branigin graduates

    Photograph of Indiana Gov. Roger D. Branigin, a 1924 graduate of Franklin College.

    Roger D. Branigin graduates from Franklin College in 1924. In 1964, he is elected as Indiana's 42nd governor.

  • 1929

    Origin of the Grizzlies' nickname

    Photograph of Ernest Bishop "Griz" Wagner, legendary men's basketball coach at Franklin College.

    Writers at "The Franklin" student newspaper begin to refer to the athletic teams as the Grizzlies, a tribute to Ernest B. "Griz" Wagner, legendary basketball coach who led the team from 1922 to 1933. Before this the teams are known as the "Fighting Baptists," "The Deacons," and the "Blue and Gold." Wagner graduated from Franklin College in 1912.

  • 1938

    The Victory Bell tradition

    Photograph of the Victory Bell.

    The Franklin College and Hanover College football teams begin playing for a rivalry trophy called the Victory Bell.

  • 1962

    Benjamin Franklin comes to Franklin College

    Photograph of the Benjamin Franklin statue on the campus of Franklin College.

    The 2-ton marble statue of Benjamin Franklin, which stands in front of Old Main, is given to the college by the International Typographer's Union upon the group's move from Indianapolis. Artist John H. Mahoney carved the piece in 1929.

  • 1976

    Chapel built

    Photograph of Richardson Chapel at Franklin College.

    The Franklin College Chapel is built. The Indiana Baptist Convention contributes to the construction as "a reminder of the founding of Franklin College by pioneer Baptists and the continuing relationship of the College with the churches." Following renovations, it is rededicated in 2008 as the Richardson Chapel to honor the college's 10th president, Harold Wellington Richardson.

  • 27 Mar 1985

    Bryan Hall destroyed

    Photograph of flames engulfing Bryan Hall at Franklin College on March 27, 1985. The hall, which had been built in 1908, was destroyed.

    A fire destroys Bryan Hall on campus. The residence hall had stood on the Franklin College campus since 1908.

  • 21 Apr 1985

    Fire at Old Main

    Aerial photograph of the heavy damage done to Old Main by a fire on April 21, 1985.

    Students working in Old Main around 9 p.m. on April 21, 1985 discover a fire on the third floor. No one is seriously injured but the building is heavily damaged.

  • 2008

    First woman elected chair of the Board of Trustees

    Photograph of Trustee Susan Johnson DeVoss

    Susan Johnson DeVoss '65 is elected chair of the Franklin College Board of Trustees. She is the first woman elected to this position.

  • 16 May 2019

    Dedication of new Science Center

    Photograph of the exterior of the Science Center on the campus of Franklin College.

    The college dedicates the new state-of-the-art Science Center. The project involved the design of Lacy Labs, a contemporary lab building, and the renovation of historic Barnes Hall, which was built in 1927 and renovated in 1987.

  • 25 Oct 2022

    JMH Athletic Annex

    Photograph of dignitaries at the ribbon cutting for the Johnson Memorial Health Athletics Annex on the campus of Franklin College in October 2022.

    Dignitaries from the college, city and Johnson Memorial Health dedicated the new Johnson Memorial Health Athletic Annex, a new indoor multi-use facility for the college's athletic teams.

  • 10 Feb 2023

    CTI Dedicated

    Photograph inside the Center for Technology Innovation at Franklin College

    College officials dedicate the Center for Tech Innovation. The facility serves as the hub for the Digital Fluency Initiative, which seeks to provide students further access to hands-on learning in digital skills.

  • 9 Jan 2025

    National Register Historic District

    Photograph of Old Main at Franklin College.

    The college announces the National Park Service has designated a portion of the 207-acre campus as a National Register Historic District. The distinction recognizes the college's impact on higher education for nearly 200 years.