Franklin in Franklin County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Franklin Academy
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., February 19, 2012
1. Franklin Academy Marker
The Franklin Academy occupied this site from 1881 until 1922. It was one of six Congregational Church-affiliated academies in Nebraska. Others were located at Crete, York, Neligh, Weeping Water, and Chadron.
Over 2,500 students in college preparatory studies attended the Franklin Academy. Distinguished alumni include author Adah Patterson, Federal Judge Robert Van Pelt, and Dr. Frank Cyr of Columbia University, under whose leadership the standard yellow school bus was developed.
There were originally four buildings on the campus, now the Franklin city park: the main academy building; Stewart Hall, a boys' dormitory; Harrison Hall, a girls' dormitory named in honor of academy founder Reverend C. S. Harrison; and Dupee Music Hall, constructed in 1901. Dupee Music Hall still stands at its original site, immediately west of here, and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Financial problems and declining enrollment due to the increasing number of public high schools caused the academy's closing.
Erected by Franklin County Historical Society, Franklin Congregational United Church of Christ, and Nebraska
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Religion & Religious Structures • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Nebraska State Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1881.
Location. 40° 6.057′ N, 98° 57.164′ W. Marker is in Franklin, Nebraska, in Franklin County. It is on 16th Avenue (U.S. 136) near Q Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is in Franklin City Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Franklin NE 68939, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Nebraska’s Smoky Hills, in Eastern Nebraska and in the Republican River Valley. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, and on the prairies. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Franklin County Veterans Memorial
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., February 19, 2012
2. Franklin Academy Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 635 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 1, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
