This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/pBC.2ACE/3672.2 Message Board Post: Hi Sarah- The town of Franklin is gone now. All that is left is the old cemetery and a few foundations. The town made its living through coal mining 100+ years ago. I'm not sure, but I seem to remember that a strike had something to do with the downfall of the town -- there were colorful stories about that strike, even a rumor that someone was actually tarred & feathered and run out of town. Any maintenence of the cemetery is probably done by our local volunteers. Over the years many of the headstones were broken off and, in some cases, stolen. The last time I hiked up into the woods to see the cemetery there were just a handful of markers left and it was sad to see. The best place to get information on Franklin would be the Black Diamond Historical Society. They sell a Black Diamond History book written by Cory & Diane Olsen and Carl Steiert back in the early 1980's, when many of the pioneer families still had representation here. There are photographs & many stories about Franklin in this book. It also includes fascinating interviews with a quite a few of the old timers. If you are local to the area, then you'll know where to go. If you live in another state, please let me know if I can help you any further. Sheila