Franklin in Macon County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Women Mica Workers

— Women's History Trail —

Photographed by Mark Parker, January 23, 2024

1. Women Mica Workers Marker

Inscription. In 1916, Western Electric opened a small mica processing plant in Franklin, later expanding to the upper floor of this building. The work of sheeting mica and cutting it precisely for use as insulators in the manufacture of telephones fell largely to young women. They were the first local cadre of female workers to find employment with a major industrial company. The phones they helped produce created a communications revolution in the United States and abroad.

Erected by Folk Heritage Association of Macon County.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Industry & Commerce • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1916.

Location. 35° 10.889′ N, 83° 22.857′ W. Marker is in Franklin, North Carolina, in Macon County. It is at the intersection of Phillips Street and Stewart Street, on the right when traveling north on Phillips Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 25 Phillips St, Franklin NC 28734, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s and he Mountains in the Golden Corner. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Built in 1921 (a few steps from this marker); Gem Mining (a few steps from this marker); Built in 1908 (a few steps from this marker); Battle of Echoe (a few steps from this marker);

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

The Old Jail (a few steps from this marker); Macon County Confederate Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); The North Carolina Bartram Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); William Bartram Naturalist (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Franklin.

Women Mica Workers Marker below far left window facing Phillips Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, January 23, 2024

2. Women Mica Workers Marker below far left window facing Phillips Street

Upper floor of the building was the home of Western Electric where the mica sheets were processed.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 14, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 242 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 12, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.