A small city with a bright, big future
Franklin is one of the smallest cities in New Hampshire, and its history as a mill town is evident along Winnipesaukee's growing riverfront. The city’s iconic “upside-down” Sulphite Railroad Bridge stretches across the river and was used to carry the Boston and Maine Railroad tracks in the late 1890s. The city is also home to Daniel Webster’s birthplace, which is now a historic state site.
“Franklin's been up and coming over the last couple of years,” says Dakota Coburn, a Realtor with Realty One Group Next Level in Concord. “They’re building the first whitewater rafting park in New England, so that’s been drawing in a lot of big investors who have been arriving in order to rebuild the riverfront.” The New Hampshire National Guard military base is located here, so some parks and trails sit on Army Corps land. Yet, with the addition of new riverfront shops and restaurants, as well as emerging housing developments, Franklin is turning into a growing city just 20 miles north of Concord.
Mill City Park improvements and local hiking and biking trails
Mill City Park is a nonprofit working to create a whitewater rafting park on the Winnipesaukee River. The Franklin Falls historic district has shopping, dining and outdoor recreation, such as biking, whitewater rafting and fishing. Mill City Park’s aim is to continue to turn this space into an outdoor attraction, with tide pools, a climbing wall, pedestrian and bicycle bridges and tent sites for overnight stays.
Beyond the river are plenty of other spaces to explore, such as the Franklin Opera House for theatrical productions or the Franklin Falls Disc Golf Course. Odell Park sits on a small peninsula on the riverfront, with a playground, ballfields and tennis courts that overlook the water.
Franklin Falls Recreational Trails, which is on U.S. Army Corps land, include walking and mountain biking trails as well as a disc golf course and picnic areas. In the winter, bikers take to the trails on their snow tires. The nearby Franklin Falls Dam sits right on the Pemigewasset River and is a popular spot to walk, bike and take photos.
Griffin Beach on Webster Lake belongs to the city of Franklin, so locals can swim or relax on the sand. Though the beach is small, many people come here to enjoy hot summer days at the lake.
New England homes, waterfront cottages and multi-family investment properties
Franklin’s New England housing styles give it a classic feel, whether living in a cottage in the woods or a Victorian home near the river. Most single-family homes in Franklin cost between $150,000 and $350,000 for early 1900s workers' cottages and colonial-style farmhouses. There are also modest Cape Cods and a few ranch-style homes on wide lots with 1,000-square-foot floorplans at this price.
Houses in the $350,000 to $600,000 range include brick cottages, Victorian residences with wraparound porches, newly built traditional styles and a few raised ranch homes. These houses often have larger floorplans, updated interiors and outdoor decks and patios.
“Franklin has Webster Lake, which is really gorgeous with incredible waterfront properties,” Coburn says. Lakefront properties can range between $750,000 and over $1.5 million, with wide bay windows, large decks overlooking the lake and private docks on the water. “There are also a lot of older homes that are being updated by a few development companies,” Coburn says. Duplexes and other owner-occupied rental properties are common east of the river and are often bought by investors looking to capitalize on Franklin’s expansion and growth. These can cost between $200,000 and $450,000.
Possible flooding on local riverbanks
Because of its location on the Winnipesaukee and Pemigewasset Rivers, which eventually turn into the Merrimack farther south, the potential for flooding or rainwater overflow can be a concern for some residents. Lenders may require the purchase of flood insurance depending on property location.
Central Street restaurants and pubs near Winnipesaukee River
“They’re redoing the riverfront to be much nicer. Lots of new bars and restaurants have gone in over the past couple of years, like brewpubs and pizza places. It’s drawn a lot of people in,” Coburn says. Kettlehead Brewing at Stevens Mill serves craft cider and beer, and The Franklin Cafe is a popular breakfast spot. Right on Marceau Park is Vulgar Brewing Company, which also serves pizza. On North Main Street, Shorey’s Grilled Cheese and Ice Cream is a popular sandwich shop with both sweet and salty items on the menu. Smitty's Cinema, just on the edge of town, is a movie theater and restaurant with movie-themed menu items and cocktails. Off Central Street are a few places to buy groceries, such as Hannaford, Dollar General and Family Dollar.
Franklin School District public schools
Students study within the Franklin School District, which is graded an overall D on Niche. Paul A. Smith School is the area’s elementary school, which teaches kindergarten through third grade. Franklin Middle School teaches fourth through eighth grade, and both schools are graded a D-plus on Niche. Franklin High School, located just off of Central Street, has a campus right on the Pemigewasset River waterfront, with sports fields and multiple after-school activities. It receives a C-minus grade on Niche.
Commutes south to Concord and Manchester
“Franklin is in a great location. It's not far off the highway, so it's an easy commute to Concord or the Lakes Region which is really desirable for a lot of people,” Coburn says. Drivers can take either Route 3 or Interstate 93 to reach Concord, which is about 23 miles south. If they continue along I-93, drivers can reach Manchester and its regional airport, which are about 38 miles south. There is a small Concord Hospital branch in Franklin off of Edwards Street, but the major branch is south in Concord and takes about 35 minutes to reach via I-93.
Photography Contributed By
Anhella Sanchez
