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Franklintown Borough York County, PA
The History of Franklintown Borough
By Alan Rosenberger
Early in the nineteenth century, William Butts and Jacob Schultz owned a store and tavern on the site of the town. In 1813, a tract of land was surveyed and laid out in streets and 186 lots. In order to sell the lots rapidly, the founders of the town instituted a lottery and sold tickets for $30.00 a lot.
In the year 1826, Martin Carl succeeded Butts & Schultz in the mercantile business and secured the establishment of a post office.
In 1849, Captain John Klugh purchased a number of vacant lots. He built some homes, sold some lots and encouraged people to start building.
Franklintown was incorporated as a borough in 1869. Daniel Hershey was the first Chief Burgess. The Borough was resurveyed and the streets were graded and paved in the same year. The population in 1900 was approximately 250.00
The United Brethren Church was built in 1849 and the Evangelical Lutheran Church was built in 1884.
The Franklintown Guard was the name of a uniformed military company of approximately fifty volunteer members. It existed for fifteen years. During the Civil War, Captain John Klugh recruited a company from the Franklintown area that entered the Two Hundred and Ninth (209th) Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers in Company 1. They participated in battles in Hatcher’s Run, Fort Steadman, Nottoway and the Siege of Petersburg, all in Virginia.
Around the turn of the century, a grade school was adopted for Franklintown. An annual appropriation of sixty-five (65) dollars was received from the state. The Borough had to hire a teacher and maintain the building for that amount of money.
In the early 1920’s, Franklintown had many businesses. There were cigar, wagon wheel, coffin and hat factories; as well as many privately owner stores, garages and taverns. Around the 1950’s Franklintown started losing businesses. Only a few privately-owned stores and garages were still operating. Not much has changed since then. Franklintown has remained a small proud town, with only a few privately-owned businesses.
Franklintown History Continued
Franklintown or Buttstown?
Information presented by Marie Kuykendall for Franklintown's 150th Founders Day Celebration, then later donated to NYCHAPs.
Franklintown Square
The building on the left is 2 S. Baltimore which now houses the Post Office and rentals. The building on the right is 1 S. Baltimore which used to be a mercantile but is now rentals.
Photo from Old Dillsburg Calendar presented by Marie Kuykendall for Franklintown's 150th Founders Day Celebration, then later donated to NYCHAPS.
Racetrack & Cigar Factories to Townhouses
Top photo, from Old Dillsburg Calendar, shows the property that would have been 101 N. Baltimore St. at the intersection of Cabin Hollow Rd.
Bottom Photo shows the current townhouses 2,4,6,8 & 10 W. Cabin Hollow Rd.
Bottom Photo by Marie Kuykendall for Franklintown's 150th Founders Day Celebration, then later donated to NYCHAPS.
Picture of McCreary Home, 33 S. Baltimore St., donated by Donna Knisley. First three individuals are McCreary's, Last two individuals are Ethel Wonders and Ethel Henry
Borough Office Site History
116 S. Baltimore St. The Current Borough Office used to be a garage owned by 2 different individuals. The first from a founding family of our town. The 2nd for which our Park is named.
Information presented by Marie Kuykendall for Franklintown's 150th Founders Day Celebration, then later donated to NYCHAPS.
John Klugh
John Klugh
Information presented by Marie Kuykendall for Franklintown's 150th Founders Day Celebration, then later donated to NYCHAPS.
John Klugh & York County
Information presented by Marie Kuykendall for Franklintown's 150th Founders Day Celebration, then later donated to NYCHAPS.
John Klugh & York County Continued
Information presented by Marie Kuykendall for Franklintown's 150th Founders Day Celebration, then later donated to NYCHAPS.
Recruits
Information presented by Marie Kuykendall for Franklintown's 150th Founders Day Celebration, then later donated to NYCHAPS.
Regiments
Information presented by Marie Kuykendall for Franklintown's 150th Founders Day Celebration, then later donated to NYCHAPS.
Klugh's Gravestone
Information presented by Marie Kuykendall for Franklintown's 150th Founders Day Celebration, then later donated to NYCHAPS.
Franklintown Public School
Franklintown School
School House is 11 S. Baltimore St. and is now converted into aparments.
Photo from Old Dillsburg Calendar presented by Marie Kuykendall for Franklintown's 150th Founders Day Celebration, then later donated to NYCHAPS.
Franklintown School House Class Picture & Student name list. Both donated by Donna Knisely.
A picture of the Franklintown Public School Class of 1932. Only known student is the 2nd one in from the left top row is Emma Elizabeth King who was raised by Catherine (Kit) & Joseph Hershey.
Joseph & Catherine Hershey
Picture of 30 S. Baltimore St. Joseph & Catherine (Kit) Hershey's home just after the streets were paved. The brick sidewalk can be seen as well as 28 S. Baltimore St. On the porch are Joseph & Catherine (Kit) Hershey with their adopted daughter Emma Elizabeth King.
Picture of Joseph Hershey and adopted daughter Emma Elizabeth King outside of their barn which still stands today.
Picture of Joseph & Catherine (Kit) Hershey standing with their adopted daughter Emma Elizabeth King on the horse outside by the barn that still stands today.
Post Office
Franklintown Post Masters
Information presented by Marie Kuykendall for Franklintown's 150th Founders Day Celebration, then later donated to NYCHAPS.
Post Master Ruth Graham's Home
Information presented by Marie Kuykendall for Franklintown's 150th Founders Day Celebration, then later donated to NYCHAPS.
Music
Franklintown Band
1946 reprint of the Franklintown Band when they performed in the Harrisburg Parade in 1891 with individuals names.
Information presented by Marie Kuykendall for Franklintown's 150th Founders Day Celebration, then later donated to NYCHAPS.
This old drum and brass instrument shown with newspaper photo they are featured in. Newspaper photo above.
These items were donated to Franklintown Borough from a member of the Murray Family to Franklintown Borough who then donated them to NYCHAPs who had the instruments cleaned and semi restored. They are featured in a historical musical instrument display at NYCHAPs Museum.
Red Taylor & The Toppers
Performers at Franklintown Square Dances which were held monthly at the then Franklintown & Community Fire Dept.
Information presented by Marie Kuykendall for Franklintown's 150th Founders Day Celebration, then later donated to NYCHAPS.
Weekly Country & Bluegrass Jams
Franklintown Borough Resident Mr. Merle Henry began having jam nights in his garage or basement depending on the time of year. They grew so big and popular they were moved to the then Franklintown & Community Fire Hall.
Sadly they ceased in 2020 due to Covid-19.
Big Fire & Franklintown & Community Fire Company
Franklintown's Big Fire
Information presented by Marie Kuykendall for Franklintown's 150th Founders Day Celebration, then later donated to NYCHAPS.
This is a page from the 1954 Dedication Program which can be viewed at the bottom of this page.
Information presented by Marie Kuykendall for Franklintown's 150th Founders Day Celebration, then later donated to NYCHAPS.
Franklintown & Community Fire Department. This building was built by hand by many community members.
Due to the recent merger with Dillsburg Hose the new name is Northern York County Fire Rescue.
Churches
Emmanuel Lutheran Church
Picture of the Sanctuary decorated for Christmas is from an old Dillsburg Calendar. Picture of Church is from the Church's archives.
Historical Celebrations
This is a picture of the time Capsule that was burried during the 150th Founders Day Celebration in 2013. This time capsule is to be dug up in 25 years in 2038.
This is a Resolution from Dillsburg Borough presented to Franklintown Borough on the occassion of our 150th Anniversary of becoming a Borough.