""Gem Capital of the World"" Franklin by etfromnc

Franklin Travel Guide: 14 reviews and 29 photos

Where they got this name is a mystery to me but you see it all over town, including on some government facilities, so there must be some basis for it. Franklin is the seat of Macon County government. Its permanent population is relatively small but doubles from late spring through the fall foliage season. It is easily accessible from Asheville, Georgia, and South Carolina via US Hwys 441 and 64. These highways which pass through Franklin connect to Interstate highways 40, 26, and 85, as well as highway 74 which is in the process of being upgraded to Interstate status.

Nearly half of the land in the county is under the protection of the US Forest Service which helps to account for the vast woodlands and other botanical and animal wonders of the area.

The town itself has an eclectic array of shops, restaurants, and sites to see and explore. As seems to be true throughout western North Carolina, antiques abound (and that is not just the people) but other shops offer a variety of clothing from outdoors to fine fashion and locally mined jewels to fine art.

Last visit to Franklin: Jun 2006
Intro Updated Jun 24, 2006
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Reviews (9)

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Nightlife (1)
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afrette Jun 26, 2009 at 6:26 AM

Sounds a lovely place Et - but what about the animal life to which you tantalisingly allude in your opening? Ette