Franklinton, Louisiana

Franklinton was founded in 1819, originally under the name of Franklin. It was designated as the parish seat of government on February 10, 1821, two years after the parish was carved out from St. Tammany Parish. In 1826 the town's name was changed to Franklinton, as there was already another town named Franklin in St. Mary Parish. In 1826, representatives and citizens from both communities showed up in then-state-capital New Orleans to state their cases for keeping the name "Franklin." The legislature allowed Franklin in St. Mary Parish to retain its name, while changing the Washington Parish's newer seat to Franklinton. The parish was largely rural, based in extensive pine forests. 20th century to present 1935 lynching In the early hours of January 11, 1935, a small group of white men forced their way into the Washington Parish jail in Franklinton, fatally shooting and beating Jerome Wilson, 30, an African-American man convicted of murder. He had pleaded for mercy. Five days earlier the Louisiana Supreme Court had granted Wilson a new trial, on the grounds that he had not received a fair trial. The decision cited that he was tried, convicted, and sentenced within ten days of his arrest in August in the slaying of Deputy Sheriff Delos C. Wood in a gunfight on the Wilson place. In 2005, much of Franklinton, as well as most of Washington Parish, sustained damage from Hurricane Katrina. It caused extensive damage along the Gulf Coast. ==Geography==

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 4.2 square miles (10.9 km), of which 4.1 square miles (10.7 km) is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1 km) (0.95%) is water. The Bogue Chitto River flows through the western edge of the town. ==Demographics==

2020 census As of the 2020 census, Franklinton had a population of 3,662 and 930 families residing in the town. The median age was 39.6 years. 23.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 20.6% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 92.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 85.9 males age 18 and over. There were 1,377 households in Franklinton, of which 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 30.9% were married-couple households, 19.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 43.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. There were 1,599 housing units, of which 13.9% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.8%. ==Economy==

The town's economy is based heavily on the parish agriculture, forestry, and some commercial industry. Many residents commute south into St. Tammany Parish for employment. ==Arts and culture==

The Washington Parish Free Fair, the largest free fair in the US and the second-largest county fair in Louisiana, is held during the third week of October each year at the Washington Parish Fair Grounds in Franklinton. ==Media==

The Era-Leader, the oldest newspaper in Washington Parish, is based in Franklinton and covers mainly the western half of the parish. It is the Official Journal of Washington Parish. The Daily News is published once per week. It is based in Bogalusa but it covers all of the parish. ==In popular culture==

The book, Dead Man Walking (1993) by Sister Helen Prejean, and the 1995 film of the same name adapted from the book, referred to the murder of Faith Hathaway by Robert Lee Willie and Joseph Vaccaro, and their convictions. The murder took place at Fricke's Cave (now part of Bogue Chitto State Park). ==Education==

• Washington Parish School System • Mount Hermon School (PreK–12) • Franklinton High School • Franklinton Junior High • Franklinton Elementary School • Franklinton Primary School • Bowling Green School ==National Guard==

Franklinton is the home of the 843rd Engineer Company. It is part of the 205th Engineer Battalion in Bogalusa, and the larger 225th Engineer Brigade of the Louisiana National Guard. ==Notable people==

• Lucius Barker, American political scientist • Twiley Barker, American political scientist • John L. Crain, president of Southeastern Louisiana University • Derrick Dillon, professional football player • Katherine Haik, Miss Teen USA 2015 • Adrian Magee, professional football player • Ruchell Magee, convicted in 1970 Marin County Civic Center attacks • Terrence Magee, professional football player • Beth Mizell, businesswoman and Louisiana state senator • Chanda Rigby, head coach of Troy Trojans women basketball team ==Climate==

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Franklinton has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. ==References==