Welcome to Franklin

Welcome to Franklin. . , Incorporated in 1820, Franklin, with its plantation-lined Main Street, serves as the St. Mary Parish seat of government and was once a major sugar port. After the Louisiana Purchase, Englishmen who settled in Franklin took up sugarcane planting and steam boating. and some became the South's wealthiest men. A large number of statesmen have called Franklin home, including governors, U.S. senators, a chief justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court, an attorney general and a lieutenant governor. Pre-Civil War, the front lawn of the former courthouse was the scene of public slave auctions. A new courthouse was built in the late 1960s, but Franklin's architectural charm remains. Today, approximately 420 structures-bed and breakfasts, shops, offices and private homes-are listed on the National Register of Historic Places., Battle of Irish Bend , A bloody Civil War battle, the Battle of Irish Bend took the lives of over 300 Union soldiers and sunk the Confederate gunboat Diana during the first Teche Campaign. In the early morning of April 14, 1863, Confederate Maj. Gen. Richard Taylor's forces moved toward Nerson's Woods, about a mile and a half above Franklin where there's a bend in the bayou, in advance of Union Brigadier Gen. Cuvier Grover's troops. Intense fighting broke out when the Union soldiers arrived, and the gunboat Diana only added to the fire. The Confederates were outnumbered though and finally retreated, having slowed down the Union but ultimately giving the Union a victory on the Teche. Meanwhile, Diana backed up as far as she could in this narrow stretch of the bayou and, with orders from Gen. Taylor, was blown up and sunk. It's said that the victims of this battle were buried in a trench in the middle of a present-day cane field, as the Union army continued up the Teche. , Learn more at Young-Sanders Center., Lighting the Neutral Ground , Where the Old Spanish Trail becomes East Main Street in Franklin is known as the "neutral ground." A boulevard extends several blocks to courthouse square and is lined with decorative white lampposts that were erected by Mayor Charles Lauve in 1915. The lampposts were designed so that they could be turned 90 degrees to allow for the passing of sugarcane trucks during grinding season. "Do Not Hitch" was printed on each post to keep citizens from hitching their horses to the lampposts. , "We will go without stopping to Franklin-one of the prettiest of Louisiana towns, all cool and green and white, with old homes standing back on smooth green lawns, amid clumps of banana trees and oleanders." - Lyle Saxon, Old Louisiana, 1929, Oaklawn Manor , This colossal Greek Revival plantation home was built in 1837 by Irish statesman Alexander Porter, but owes its 1920s restoration to Capt. Clyde Barbour. Twenty-five years earlier, Barbour had viewed the deteriorating mansion from his paddlewheeler on the bayou and vowed to someday purchase the home. In 1925, the Barbours refurbished the home and recreated the gardens. Capt. Barbour died in 1930, but his widow remained, and his daughter, Lucille, continued the restoration and opened the manor to the public in the 1950s. In more recent years, Oaklawn was the home of late Gov. Murphy J. "Mike" Foster Jr., Pan-Broiled Oysters , 2 dozen oysters , 1/3 stick butter , Parsley , Black pepper to taste , Salt to taste , Toast , Drain oysters on paper towels. When heavy skillet is warm, add butter. When melted, add drained oysters. Cook until oysters curl (3-4 min.). Season and add parsley. Serve on buttered toast., Water Traffic , New Iberia may have been the first official port of entry for what was known as the "District of the Teche," but in 1830, Franklin became the new port. Trade reached as far as New York and Havana, and in his book Teche, Shane Bernard estimates that between 1842-1843, 91 seafaring vessels left Franklin with more than 5,350 barrels of sugar; 9,200 barrels of molasses; 81,700 feet of live oak; and 95 bales of Spanish moss. Steamboat traffic made this level of export possible, with more than 100 vessels in operation before the Civil War. Franklin's boat building industry is still alive in the 21st century, with everything from airboats to patrol boats, passenger ferries and custom-built aluminum boats being crafted in the area., "It's all here under the lampposts." , - Mayor Eugene P. Foulcard's official slogan for Franklin, Swamp Pop on the Bayou , Franklin-born Johnny Chauvin is known for his swamp pop and covers of songs like "Fools Rush In" and "Blue Moon." He plays with his Mojo Band at the annual Black Bear Festival, as well as at regional venues, casinos and events. Chauvin and Ed "Tiger" Verdin, a city employee, started the Bayou Teche Music Series in 2020 to bring live music to Franklin's Main Street on Saturday Johnny Chauvin and the Mojo Band perform Johnny Chauvin and the Majo Band mornings and some evenings. Local musicians are welcome to join in for jams, and music education, mentorship and exploring oral histories of Bayou Teche are all part of the series' goal. , Find a complete Bayou Teche music playlist at techeproject.org! , The TECHE Project recognizes Shane Bernard. Patti Holland, Tami St. Germain, Chloé St. Germain-Vermillion and Erin Bass for their contributions to the content of this panel , For more information, visit: , City of Franklin franklin-la.com Cajun Coast VCB | cajuncoast.com The TECHE Project | techeproject.org