Franklin, ID

Franklin, known as Idaho’s first town, is a charming city nestled in Cache Valley. Established in the spring of 1860, the town of Franklin was the result of a northward movement of Mormon pioneers through the Cache Valley of Utah. They built modest cabins along the Cub River, originally known as the Muddy River, and embarked on agricultural activities. As more settlers arrived, communities began to form in the northern Cache Valley, all under the presumption they were in Utah territory. However, a formal boundary survey in 1872 revealed that Franklin was actually situated in Idaho, just a mile north of the Utah-Idaho border.

The urban planning of Franklin mirrored typical Utah settlements, featuring broad streets and a draw system to distribute town and farmland. The town lots were large enough for each house to have a garden, barn, and auxiliary buildings, with a central square reserved for what is now Franklin City Park. A notable landmark, the Relic Hall, showcases local and Mormon history and is open to the public seasonally. An elegant stone house, known as the Hatch House, built by Lorenzo Hill Hatch—a leading figure in the town’s early history—stands as an example of the Greek Revival architectural style. Although it has undergone significant alterations over time, it remains a symbol of the city’s past, illustrating the potential for future restoration to its original 19th-century state.

Franklin is located in Franklin County, Idaho, USA.

Franklin, Idaho Overview

Basic Information

• Country: United States
• State: Idaho
• County: Franklin
• Population (2021): 1,062
• Population (2010): 641
• Part of: Logan, Utah-Idaho Metropolitan Statistical Area
• Area code: 208
• Founded: 1860

Geographical Features of Franklin, ID

• Total Area: 1.328 sq mi
• Elevation: 4,501 ft (1,372 m)

Local Franklin, ID Weather

• Typical Weather: 75°F (24°C)
• Wind: South at 8 mph (13 km/h)
• Humidity: 38%