Franklin Township

Red Men's Hall, Franklin Forks, PA ca. 1906

Church Street, Franklin Forks, PA ca. 1906

Churches:
Franklin Hill Presbyterian Church located on Rt. 4002
Franklin Forks Methodist Church located on Rt. 4008
Montrose Assembly of God Church located on Rt. 29

*STOCKER'S HISTORY (1887)

The Lawsville and New Milford Union Congregational Church was organized September 28, 1813. In 1836 the church became Presbyterian in form of government and the same year the Liberty Presbyterian Church was formed. It was known as the First Presbyterian Church and Congregation of Franklin Jan. 28, 1850. The church was erected on Cemetery Hill in 1824. In 1866 it was removed and the present edifice was built.

Free Will Baptists worshipped in homes and later the schoolhouse at Franklin Forks, built in 1840, until the house of worship was built in 1856. This passed under the control of the Free-Will Baptist Society of Franklin, incorporated Jan. 29, 1860. The Presbyterians began to hold meetings in the building after the Baptists removed and the First Presbyterian Church of Franklin Forks was incorporated, Aug. 25, 1875.

Methodist Episcopal Church of Franklin Forks. A class was held as early as 1804. The church was begun in 1867 and incorporated with the above title November 19, 1869.
Cemeteries:
Brookside Cemetery, Village of Franklin Forks
Franklin Hill Cemetery, Rt. 4002

Building and Geographic Information According to the 1872 Beers' Atlas of Susquehanna County. To obtain copies of maps e-mail us for details.
BLACK SMITH SHOPS- (2) Town of Franklin Forks; Town of Brookdale (Liberty Twp.); Dist. #4; Dist. #5; Dist. #7
CREEKS/BROOKS - Silver Creek - Town of Franklin Forks Dist. #4, Dist. #5
GRIST MILLS - Dist. #7 (G. & Saw Mill); Dist. #8
POST OFFICES - Dist. #1 (P.O. & Store - J. L. Merriman)
SAW MILLS (S.M. or S. MILL) - (2) Town of Franklin Forks, Town of Brookdale (Liberty Twp.). M. & L. Saw Mill; Dist. #3; (2) Dist. #4; Dist. #5; Dist. #7 (G. & S. Mill)
SCHOOLS - Town of Brookdale; (Liberty Twp.) Town of Franklin Forks; Dist. #1; Dist. #2; Dist. #3; Dist. #4; Dist. #5; Dist. #6; Dist. #7; Dist. #8
STORES - (2) Dist. #1 (includes Sotre & P.O. - J. L. Merriman), Dist. #8; (2) Town of Franklin Forks (J. Boyd and D. C. & F. H. Fordham)

Others:

Butts Corners, Town of Brookdale (Liberty Twp.)
Carpenter Shop, Dist. #7
Salt Works, Dist. #5
Shoe Sh., Dist. #4
Tanneries - Town of Brookdale (Liberty Twp.) & Dist.. #8 (Franklin Tannery)
Tenant Houses, Town of Brookdale (Liberty Twp.)

Place Names, Old and New
Franklin Township was formed during the May Session (of the Court of Quarter Sessions) in 1835. For further information, see also Township Incorporations.

Franklin Corners (also called Milk Can Corners because of the milk cans placed there)

Franklin Forks, hamlet where Silver Creek enters the Snake Creek. John Snow, in 1836, was the first to take advantage of the water power to power a lathe for furniture making. First merchandise was sold by Joseph Smith out of his home circa 1845. Post office from 1871 to 31 Oct 1917. Pop. 75 in 1900.

Salt Springs State Park. Located just west of Franklin Forks, on the former Wheaton homestead. The Wheaton family lived on the same farm for more than 130 years. In 1971, when it became time for the family to sell, The Nature Conservancy, a nonprofit, international conservation group, helped to transform it, in 1973, into Salt Springs State Park. In 1994, to preserve and develop the park, a group of concerned citizens incorporated themselves as the Friends of Salt Springs Park, Inc. Through subcontracts with the State of Pennsylvania and Susquehanna County, the Friends manage the property, run an Environmental Education Center, and are renovating (or have renovated) the existing structures.

Upsonville, former post office, closed 15 Apr 1907 (mail routed through Hallstead P.O.); pop. 154 in 1900.

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