Franklin is the 3rd of the 13 cities in New Hampshire I have toured. From everything I have read,what makes a place a city, as opposed to a town, has something to do with how it was originally chartered and its form of local government. Franklin is the 9th largest city in New Hampshire and has quite a bit to boast about when it comes to history and charm.
Franklin was the birth place of Daniel Webster. His homestead and the Sawyer House are open to the public weekends from late June through Labor Day. Unfortunately, I was there mid-week and did not have a chance to return on the weekend.
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Even with the title of city, there is still plenty of rural charm and I was able to get my barn and field fix in while I was there…
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As with nearly every place i visit, I found something which made me do a u-turn. I saw quite a unique mailbox and had to go back to check it out…
This year, the Special Olympics Torch run went through the center of Franklin and I was able to watch it from a local park…
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When the procession passed, I walked around the park a bit before heading to the Winnipesaukee River Trail…
At the beginning of the trail, there is a marker which explains why Franklin is known as the Paper City…
Not too far along the trail, I came to the maker I had set out to see…
The Sulphite or Upside Down Covered Bridge, appears to be the only deck-covered railroad bridge left in the United States. It was a bit strange to be walking on the top of a covered bridge…
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You can see the bridge roof below the railroad ties
The view of the river from the tracks was beautiful…
Notice, I didn’t get too close to the edge! I returned to the trail to find a spot go get an outside shot of the bridge…
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I returned to Trestle View Park to explore some of the downtown areas. Between the wonderful historic buildings and the interesting artwork, there is certainly something for everyone…
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A side street led me to another park, complete with a picnic worthy gazebo and ball fields…
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I left the downtown area and stopped at the Eastman Falls Dam. There is a nice picnic area and a place to put in a kayak or canoe…
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I found a much smaller dam on Chance Pond…
My final stop in Franklin was the shores of Webster Lake. The rail trail passes very near the lake and a few cyclists were taking a break…
There is a small covered bridge over the waterway from Chance Pond…
And across the road is a neat tunnel for the Chance Pond waters…
The City of Franklin left me feeling a lot less intimidated of touring cities. Between its walkable downtown areas and the beautiful scenery in the outlying areas there really is something for everyone.
Touring NH 
Great colorful coverage of Franklin! What is up with the kayaks on the fence by the river trail? The recycled art was very cool!!
I loved the recycled art, very inventive. As to the kayaks, I’m not sure. I don’t think you’d want to put in at that spot, but you could.
Around new years people kayak down the river there. Its an event. That’s the stopping point in that little park.
Crazy, right?!
I love the city that doesn’t look like a city! So many unique things from the tractor mailbox to those amazing sculptures. Love the recycling! My top photo pick is of the rail tracks. Such a fabulous perspective!
Thank you Sue. I, too, am a fan of rural cities. I was very surprised they haven’t barred access to the tracks, it is a long way down and nothing as far as safety rails.
Perhaps they are banking on people’s common sense? Glad you were able to get those amazing captures.
I’ve seen another one of those “upside down” covered bridges but of course I can’t remember where. I wonder about those squiggles in the tracks. I don’t think any train I’ve seen could have passed that spot.
I really thought it was neat. I’m not sure about the squiggles, it’s been out of use for a long time.
The bridge was involved in a fire that was centered under that section of rail. The fire heated and expanded the rail.
Interesting! Thank you.
Every one of these towns look so peaceful and bucolic. I love that mailbox by the way. I am also jealous of so much sunshine! Thanks for sharing.
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The mailbox really is quite a statement. If I went back through my archives, I bet I could do a post just about unique mailboxes. Sending you some sunshine to last until you are home.
I hope you don’t mind I am going to share your link on Franklin Talking group page. Thanks for the tour.
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Hi Betty, please feel free to share the link! Thank you.
I believe those kayaks are there because that is a popular place to take out. There’s also the annual Jan 1st Kayak run. 🙂 http://www.wmur.com/news/kayakers-brave-rapids-of-winnipesaukee-river-in-new-years-day-run/30489126 Great photo’s of our little town, after living here so long it’s like seeing many things again!
Thank you for the explanation. Franklin truly is a lovely city!
Nice work.
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Thank you! Franklin’s beauty made it easy for me.
Excellent work. I thought I would just take a peek at one or two pics. Couldn’t stop. Loved every scene start to finish. Great job and thanks for sharing it.
Thank you so much! Feedback like that is part of what keeps me going!!
Such beautiful shots of this wonderful city. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for your kinds words.
What a beautiful blog about the city I have learned to love since moving here with my family in 2003. Thank you for visiting us and being so positive. One correction if I may. Franklin is not the birthplace of Daniel Webster. He was born in Salisbury. Parts of Salisbury and other surrounding towns became Franklin when Franklin incorporated into a town in the 1800s. His birthplace is now located in Franklin, but it was originally in Salisbury where he was born. Some NH historians take offense when it’s stated Franklin is Daniel Webster’s birthplace.
Thank you for the correction. So many pieces of towns became parts of other towns. I did a post about Monson a while back and now it isn’t a town at all. I hope you will follow along as I tour other great places in NH.
Thank you for the great pictures. Have forwarded the link to a “pen pal” in New Zealand and family in Hungary. They will now know why we love NH!
Thank you for the forward. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words and Franklin was full of wonderful photo opportunities.
Thank you so much for showing Franklin in a positive light, I spent most of my childhood there, and I grew to love it, despite it’s flaws. It’s a slow town, but I love it there. So many people talk trash about it, and it’s just so nice to see someone find the beauty in it that I see.
Every town has its flaws. Perhaps because I am only visiting, I don’t see them. I truly enjoyed Franklin and hope others will visit and see its charm as I did.
Here a town has to have a certain number of inhabitants and gain a charter from government to become a city. Southampton’s was granted in the 1960’s. Most cities are pretty busy places with congested roads. Yours look much more peaceful. I love the car bumper art.
Thank you for sharing this. Moved to Franklin in 2003 and love it. One correction though. Franklin is not the birthplace of Daniel Webster. He was born in Salisbury. Property was reverted to Franklin when incorporated and became a town. The correct reference is ‘The birth place of Daniel Webster is located in Franklin’.