Silver Anniversary
Franklin Heritage, Inc. will be celebrating their 25th anniversary this year!
25 Years in the Making...
November 1984
FHI planted a linden tree in December of 1983 outside the Johnson County Museum, formerly located at the corner of Jackson and Madison Streets, in honor of John Cutsinger, former president of the Johnson County Historical Society. Judge Schafstall donated an additional tree as a thanks to FHI for honoring his former law partner.
1984
Daily Journal Publishes this cartoon by Van Nuys. This cartoon protested cities paving over historical brick streets.
1985
Franklin Heritage, along with the Johnson County Historical Society, presented community preservation awards honoring members of the community that did outstanding work in restoring thier properties. In addition, the results of the architectural and historical survey of Johnson County were presented. The inventory was a joint effort between FHI and the Historic Landmarks Organization.
1986
A group of homes north of downtown Franklin were listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a Historic District. the district includes an L-shaped area of homes on Martin Place, North Main Street, and Banta Street. This neighborhood is one of Franklin's best examples of historical preservation.
1987
After several months of campaigning against the Franklin Plan commission, FHI and the rest of the Franklin community won the zoning battle, which allowed several neighborhoods, including areas of North Main Street, to remain as residential areas. the Commission had originally proposed a zoning switch of the areas to allow light business operation.
1989
An emblem depicting Old Main on the Franklin College campus and the words "Historic Franklin" was designed to promote the historic qualities of Franklin and was originally created for use in fundraising for FHI. The emblem came in the forms of a plaque and a pin, which were used throughout the city of Franklin, including in City Hall. In addition there was a movement to have the symbols placed on the back of Franklin Fire trucks.
1991
Nick Banos, a Greek immigrant, opened Nick's Candy Kitchen in 1921. By this time it was chronicled in the "A Small Town's Saturday Night" article in the December 1940 edition of Life Magazine(along with the Artcraft), Nick's had become a fixture of downtown Franklin. Nick's was a popular sopt for Franklin college and high school students, where they would enjoy cokes and malts and "shag to jukebox music," as shown in the photo to the right.
The traditional hangout, originally called the Greek Candy Store and Ice Cream Parlor, located where Key Bank now stands on Jefferson Street, closed in September 1983. Farmer's Trust Bank bought the lot, and the entire block was torn down. Although FHI members protested, there was nothing that could be done to save the landmark.
1992
FHI and the Hopewell Presbyterian Church held an ice cream social in October. The event included a speech by Civil War expert Richard Skidmore, author or The Civil War Journal of Billy Davis: From Hopewell, Indiana to Port Republic, Virginia. Skidmore displayed Billy Davis' original diary discussed the young man's life in Hopewell and his Civil War career. Ritter's Frozen Custard was also featured, with proceeds going to Hopewell Presbyterian. The image to the right is a graphic of the church from the event flyer.
1993
The first "Cabin Fever Frolic' was held in the winter of 1993. FHI organized an antiquing trip by bus to Louisville. While the trip was not profitable, it was successful, with eight members and 17 non-profic members participating. Tickets cost $12 for members and $15 for non-members. Participants received a 10 percent discount from the Louisville Antique Mall. During the bus trip, participants played a matching game of house styles. Interim reports and free memberships were given away as prizes.
1994
The downtown walking tour began at the Hendrick's cabin at the Johnson County Museum of History with a presentation of the Hendrick's andirons and firebasket from FHI to the Museum. Hillcrest Country Club provided FHI with the firebasket and andirons, or the pair or metal supports used to hold up logs in a fireplace. The tour ended at the home of Sheila Hutcheons Barr, where refreshments were provided.