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See more photos from Franklin Park
Originally named Franklin Township in honor of colonial statesman Benjamin Franklin, Franklin Park was settled around 1800 by Revolutionary War veterans and others whose descendents still live in our community. In 1823, what is now Franklin Park, Marshall and Bradford Woods was named Franklin Township and seceded from Ohio Township. Forty years later, Marshall seceded from Franklin and in 1915, Bradford Woods left Marshall. It was not until 1961 that Franklin Township became the Borough of Franklin Park.
Throughout most of its history, Franklin was a rural community without a village, town or business district. Scattered among family farms were one-room schools, churches and a sprinkling of country stores and blacksmith shops. There was a short lived oil and gas boom in the early 20th century.
Post-World War II population growth brought the creation of sub-divisions and the North Allegheny School District. Recently built I-79 and I-279 through the borough continue to contribute to the community’s growth. Located about twelve miles northwest of Pittsburgh, Franklin Park is today a thriving suburban community with over 13,000 residents. Predominantly residential, it is home to fourteen churches, a municipal golf course, four parks, two schools and is a charter sponsor of Northland Public Library.
Franklin Park Stories
Field Club Estates - "How a Texan's Love of Golf Helped Create Franklin Park"
Robert G. Woodside and the Stone Mansion
Links to historical newspaper articles about Franklin Park:
January 21, 1961 “Boro Status is requested by Franklin Township”
June 14, 1937 ”Ingomar Church Acquires Organ Once Heard by Guests of Mellons”
Franklin Park Oral Histories:
Northland has a collection of oral history binders available for reference use at the library. From 2001-2002 interviews were conducted with some of the long-time residents of Franklin Park. Most of the binders contain the taped interviews, transcripts of the interviews and some accompanying materials.
Oral Histories are available for:
- Glen Ford, Bellwood Dairy Farm
- Chester Frazier, World War II Veteran
- Paul Hague, World War II Veteran
- Henning Family, World War II Veterans
- Betha Skiles Fiscus
- Letha Skiles Makray
- Louis Wolf, World War II Veteran
Updated May 15, 2012