Franklin (Venango County)

Franklin was founded in 1741 by the French during the French and Indian War, where French Creek meets the Allegheny River. When the British saw the French had built a fort, they sent George Washington, who would later become the nation's first president, to tell the French that the territory had already been claimed by the British. The French refused, and proceeded to amass an army (including local Indians) to attack Fort Pitt and Fort Dusquesne in modern Pittsburgh. When the British began to attack Fort Niagara, the French were forced to send their troops north and the territory was claimed by the British. After American independence from Great Britain, the layout of the city was redesigned by Andrew Ellicott, who also helped design the layout of Washington, D.C. With the discovery of oil in nearby Titusville in 1859, wealthy oil tycoons moved to Franklin, quickly changing Franklin from an unknown to a wealthy, bustling town. With large fires consuming the oil fields in 1892 and 1894, the wealthy dispersed as quickly as they had come.

Much of the downtown area was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984 for its architecture and history. Many of the shops, public buildings, and residences date back to the days when Franklin gained an immense amount of oil wealth. Notable historic buildings include the Courthouse, Public Library, churches, the Liberty Street shop buildings, and the Galena-Signal Oil Company building, which was once an oil refinery. The houses along Elk Street are exquisite examples of the Greek Revival architecture. Many other architectural wonders can be found scattered throughout the city.

• 🌍 Saint John's Episcopal Church, 1145 Buffalo Street (Across the street from the Public Library on the righthand side), ☏ +1 814 432-5161. Self guided tours: M-F 8AM - 2PM (last: 1:30PM); Su Eucharist: 8 & 10AM; Th Mass: 12:05PM. The Episcopal Church also shows off the city's former wealth, with its complete collection of Tiffany Windows and mahogany pews. From the outside the church is a stunning example of Victorian architecture. However, from the inside the church is even more breathtaking. St. John's Church includes one of three complete collections of Tiffany windows in the world. All of the windows in the church were commissioned by St. John's and created by the Louis Comfort Tiffany Studios. The "rose" window above the North entrance is the second largest Tiffany window in the world, also said to be one of Tiffany's personal favorites. The pews of the church are also quite beautiful, as the wood used to make them is all from the Amazon Rainforest in South America. Guided tours are available and may be scheduled by calling the church and making a reservation with a church docent; $4.00/person, $3.00/person in groups of 30 or more. 
• 🌍 DeBence Antique Music World, 1261 Liberty Street, ☏ +1 814 432-8350. The museum is open from April 1 to October 31 (groups over 20 may arrange visits during other times). Open from 11AM to 4PM. A museum dedicated to antiques related to music, such as phonographs, organs, and player pianos. Not only do visitors get to learn about the music-makers, you also get to hear all of them played. It may seem like an odd museum at first, but the tour is quite entertaining. Downstairs is an antique shop open year-round. You can visit the shop without taking the tour if you wish. Admission is $8. 
• 🌍 Venango County Courthouse, 1168 Liberty St, ☏ +1 814 432-9610. The construction of the courthouse was completed in 1868. It was designed by Philadelphian architects and built by a local builder. It was made in the Italianate architectural style, most visible in its uneven towers. Inside the courthouse there are displays of Native American artifacts, such as arrowheads and pottery, from Venango County and nearby areas. 
• 🌍 Fountain Park & Bandstand Park. These parks flank the courthouse on both sides, with Fountain Park to the right and Bandstand Park to the left. The parks are over 200 years old, as they were incorporated into the original city layout in 1795. The Civil War Monument was built just a year after the war ended in 1866. It contains the names of over 400 men from Venango County killed in the war. It is one of the oldest Civil War monuments in the state. The Egbert Memorial Fountain in Fountain Park was built in 1886 in memory of Dr. A.G. Egbert who gave a lot of his oil wealth back to the town. Bandstand Park contains a Vietnam Memorial, Revolutionary War Memorial and, of course, a bandstand where the Franklin Silver Cornet Band, one of America's oldest traditional town bands, plays regular concerts every summer. Applefest takes place in these parks every October. 
• 🌍 Franklin Antique Mall & Wild West Museum, 1280 Franklin Avenue, ☏ +1 814 432-8577. Although most of the items are for sale, this antique mall is also set up as a museum. There are a wide variety of antiques and knick-knacks to look at, from armor to posters to toys. As antiques are sold and new antiques are brought in, you are likely to notice something new every time you visit. Entrance is free. 
• 🌍 Venango County Historical Society, 301 South Park St (Corner of South Park and Elk Streets), ☏ +1 814-437-2275, vchistory@csonline.net. May – Dec: House Museum – Tu-Th Sa 10AM – 2PM; Research Library – W Th 10AM – 2PM, call first to make sure volunteer is on duty. Jan – Apr: House Museum and Research Library – Sa only 10AM – 2PM. The Hoge-Osmer House is headquarters for Venango County Historical Society, and is also a house museum. The house was built by Thomas Hoge in 1866 at the close of the Civil War. The Newton Osmer family moved into the house in the early 1890s and made many renovations and additions. Donation. 
  • Much of the furniture on display belonged to the Osmer family and is original to the house, along with the light fixtures and Italian marble fireplaces. The house museum has many changing displays that include clothing, household items, tools and archival artifacts from the Society’s collections that help to tell the story of the history of Venango County.
  • Venango County Historical Society also houses a Genealogical Research Library and Archival Resource Center, and is the designated repository for Venango County artifacts.
• 🌍 Sibley Mansion, 870 River Ridge Rd, ☏ +1 814 676-2007. You must call to inquire about tour dates and make a reservation. Also referred to as Sibley Castle and River Ridge, it is the former residence of Joseph Sibley, the founder of an oil refining company called Galena-Signal Oil (the company building still sits in downtown Franklin today). Sibley gained a lot of wealth from his business and was a known friend of Rockefeller and President McKinley. In fact, President McKinley was traveling with Sibley when he was assassinated in 1901. The Sibley Mansion was built in 1913 and Sibley lived there until his death. Today the mansion is owned by Life Ministries and used for their retreats however, they do offer tours sporadically throughout the year. 
• 🌍 Space Capsule, 1578 Pittsburgh Rd (From Franklin, it's just past the airport on Route 8), ☏ +1 814-432-2335. Mar-Oct: 11AM to 10PM, closed Nov-Feb. A very odd site indeed is the real space capsule from an Apollo CM located in front of the Dairy Queen. Only four of these capsules have not been converted into scrap metal; one is located in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C. and another is on display in Cape Canaveral. The one you see in Franklin is privately owned, along with the other which is not on display. If you're interested in learning more about it, enter the Dairy Queen. There is a tv inside displaying information about the capsule (along with ads for various Dairy Queen foods). 

• Walking Tours, ☏ +1 814 437-1619. With so many historic Victorian buildings, representing a wide array of architectural styles, visitors often come just to walk around the town to view the buildings. There are a few ways in which you can do this. If you just want to see the architecture, you can do the self-guided walking tour. These Walking Tour Guides are available at Franklin City Hall or Franklin Chamber of Commerce. The Franklin Rotary Club offers guided walking tours during Applefest. Those interested should call in advance (+1 814 437-2072) to find out more information about specific tour dates. Other groups, such as the local Garden Club, offer House and Garden Tours during 4th of July Festivities Week. 
• Two Mile Run County Park, 471 Beach Rd., ☏ +1 814 676-6116. Two Mile Run is a tucked away just off Route 417 around a man-made lake. You can fish in the lake, boat, and swim at Crosby Beach. Around the beach there are also paddle boat rentals and volleyball nets. Two Mile Run has many different hiking and mountain bike trails for those who are more interested in exploring nature and the surrounding forests. In the wintertime, visitors can enjoy ice fishing and sled-riding or snowboarding on the hill near the entrance of the park. There are pavilions that can be used by the public when they have not been rented. For accommodations, visitors can camp or make reservations to stay at either the cottage or farmhouse (see "Sleep"). 
• Allegheny River and Samuel Justus Bike Trail, ☏ +1 814 432-4476. Extending through Franklin midway, the 15 mile bike trail spans from Oil City to Emlenton. In Franklin it is borders the Allegheny River. While much of the trail is lined by trees, the trail passes through two old railroad tunnels, abandoned sites from the days of the oil industry, and other natural sites, such as the waterfall near the entrance of the Rockland Tunnel and the Indian God Rock, containing Native American pictographs carved over 1000 years ago (along with name carvings and graffiti). The trail is especially beautiful amidst the autumn foliage. Along with biking, many people also come to walk and roller blade. There are also spots along the trail for picnicking and/or resting. In Franklin, the trail can be accessed along Route 322 just after crossing the 8th Street Bridge. You can bring your own bikes or rent them at the Country Pedaler. 
• Barrow-Civic Theater, 1223 Liberty Street, ☏ +1 814 437-3440. Featuring a variety of theater performances from local actors, as well as comedy acts, instrumental performances, and other special productions. See the website to find out about what will be showing during your visit. Prices vary depending on the production. Children's theater shows are typically $7, while other productions typically range from $17-20. 
• 🌍 Tri-City Speedway, 3430 Route 417, ☏ +1 814 676-0477. Races are held on Sundays. Gates open at 4PM, laps start at 5:15PM, and races begin at 6PM. A race track hosting a variety of events, from the typical racecars to motorcycles and bus races. Prices vary by event, ranging from $11-40. 
• Outdoor Alleghent River Services, 250 Elk Street, ☏ +1 814 388-9122. OARS provides an exciting way to experience the Allegheny River and French Creek with their kayak and canoe rentals. 
• Masterson's Family Lanes, 1244 Buffalo Street, ☏ +1 814 432-4310. M-Th 5PM-midnight, F 5PM-2AM, Sa 10AM-2AM, Su 2-9PM. With only 8 lanes, it's rather small however, this is only a problem during peak hours when it is usually necessary to make reservations in order to ensure you will have a lane. Like most bowling alleys, Masterson's offers cosmic bowling and a concession stand. 
• Seneca Skating Rink, Brandon Rd, Seneca, ☏ +1 814 677-5700. A roller skating rink with great music from today, and dance hits from the 1990s. There is a snack bar inside, as well as a small room for kids to dance in. Races are held periodically, which are just for fun, so anyone can participate. It's most popular among youth, but many adults come to skate, as well. 

• Cranberry Mall, 6945 US Route 322, ☏ +1 814 676-3406. M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su noon-5PM. A typical small town mall, with clothing, electronics, jewelry, nail salon, and a few specialty shops. Food options are limited to the Asian Express, Two Cousins Pizza, and Pretzel Plus. The local movie theater is in the mall. 

• Deets Sugar House, 182 Tarr Rd (across from the entrance to Tri-City Speedway), ☏ +1 814 676-1097. The best place in Franklin for ice cream, Deets is known for giving generous portions! Although most people come for the ice cream, the hot foods, like subs and pizza, are also quite tasty. 
• Leonardo's Restaurant and Pizzeria, 1267 Liberty Street, ☏ +1 814 432-8421. One of the most popular restaurants in Franklin, serving excellent pizza and hot subs, as well as other Italian dishes. 
• Cozumel Mexican Restaurant, ☏ +1 814 676-2640. The most authentic Mexican food in the area, Cozumel's serves both delicious and affordable food. The menu contains a wide variety of food options, as well as alcohol. Complementary chips and salsa. The restaurant was once the entrance to a small amusement park. As a result, you can enjoy a game of miniature golf outside for $5. Food approximately $6-10. 
• Bella Cucina, 1234 Liberty Street, ☏ +1 814 432-4955. Lunch from 11AM to 2PM, dinner 5PM to 9:30PM, closed Sun. An up-scale restaurant that features dishes inspired predominantly by Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. Seafood and vegetarian dishes are particularly popular. Lunch specials range from $8-12. Expect to spend $15-30 for the dinner menu. 
• Kings Family Restaurant, RR 2, ☏ +1 814 437-6997. Su-Th 6AM to 10PM, F Sa 6AM-midnight. For those tired of fast food and pizza and hungry for homestyle cooking, Kings is a popular option. Kings is a Pennsylvanian chain restaurant, but its one of Franklin's most popular restaurants, and it also stays open later than most others. 
• French Creek Cafe, 1242 Liberty St, ☏ +1 814 437-6860. M 11AM-3PM, Tu-Sa 7:30AM-3PM. A popular restaurant for breakfast dining. For lunch, they offer fantastic paninis, wraps, and other healthy foods. Be aware that this is a lunch and breakfast restaurant only, as it closes at 3PM. Paninis cost about $6. 
• AmaZing Foods Cafe, 1327 Elk St, ☏ +1 814 437-3663. M-F 8AM-2PM. This breakfast and lunch cafe changes its menu daily, as dishes are adapted to incorporate in-season ingredients. In general, you'll find various quiches, scones, and pancakes for breakfast and pastas, wraps, and a variety of sandwiches for lunch. Cooking classes are offered. Those interested must call in advance, as a limited number of students are accepted. 
• Rochelle's Family Restaurant, 1233 Liberty St, ☏ +1 814 432-2625. More popularly known as Fox's Pizza Den, Rochelle's is a pizzeria serving the typical varieties. 
• The Uptown Bistro, 1235 Liberty Street, ☏ +1 814 432-8900. A grill serving burgers, sandwiches, and salads. There is a nice selection of desserts for those with room, with a various pies and cheesecakes to choose from. 
• The Commons at Franklin, 1340 Liberty St, ☏ +1 814 437-7771. Seven days a week, 10:30AM on Sundays for their famous Sunday Brunch and at 11:30AM for lunch in the pub downstairs. Enjoy eating on the porch in seasonable weather where local singers and musicians perform on Wednesdays and Saturdays during the summer and a DJ plays your favorite songs on Sunday evenings. The Terrace offers elegant fine dining on Friday and Saturday evenings with special menus from Chef Asa in the Heritage Room. McGinnis' Irish Pub and Grill is downstairs and offers a touch of the Emerald Isle with its authentic pub and food. $8 but can be much more depending on your taste. 
• Uncle Louie G's Gourmet Cream Ices, 1241 Liberty Street, ☏ +1 814-518-7502. The Best of Brooklyn is now in Franklin. 38 flavors of Italian cream ices and 26 flavors of gourmet ice cream. 
• The Scoop, 414 12th St (Across the street from the Public Library). A local ice cream parlor, serving a variety of ice cream, hot dogs, and other foods. 
• Primo Barone's Restaurant and Lounge, 1564 Airport Road Franklin Pa, 16323 (connected to the Venango Airport), ☏ +1 814-432-2588. Daily 11AM-9PM. Connected to the Venango Regional Airport. Beautiful view, great Italian dishes, excellent service! 
• Bistro by Pizza Joe's, 1145 Liberty Street, ☏ +1 814-432-8000. Pizza and sandwiches. 
• Summer House Coffee, 1236 Liberty Street, ☏ +1 814-432-5959. Quaint, locally owned cafe. Along with a selection of coffees, teas, and speciality drinks, Summer House also has breakfast pastries and gelato. Free wi-fi available. 

• FoxTales Pub, 1117 Liberty Street, ☏ +1 814 437-6636. M-F from 11AM, Sa from 3PM, and Su from noon. Although it's rather small, it's quite popular with the locals. 
• Lona's Restaurant & Pub, 1213 Liberty St, ☏ +1 814 432-7010. Better known by its former name, The Celtic, it's one of the most popular eateries in town, it is a nice place to take your family in the daytime and your friends at night. During the warmer months, there is seating outside, as well as inside. Because it is within walking distance of Foxtales Pub, many people begin their nights here and then go to Foxtales later on in the night. Sandwiches and burgers $6-8, dinners $12-20. 
• McGinnis' Irish Pub & Grill, 1340 Liberty Street, ☏ +1 814-437-7771. Open daily from 11:30AM until closing. Kitchen is open M-Th until 10PM and F-Su until 11PM. Located downstairs at The Commons at Franklin. An authentic Irish restaurant and pub, complete with Irish music and decor. They're known for their home-made fish and chips and wide variety of dishes straight from the Emerald Isle. Offers 10 beers on tap and various other well-known beers and local microbrews. Patrons have their choice of eating in the pub or dining room. Enjoy drinks and the game with friends as you watch large screen television in the "Craic" as you relax in comfortable leather furniture. 

• Idelwood Motel, 1566 Mercer Road, ☏ +1 814 437-3003. Located between the airport and downtown. Offers typical accommodations with air conditioning and TV. Both smoking and non-smoking rooms are available. There is an outdoor pool open during the summertime. 
• Quality Inn and Conference Center, 1411 Liberty Street, ☏ +1 814 437-3031. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. Located right in downtown Franklin, it is the most popular hotel for visitors to Franklin. It offers a wide range of services, and contains a fitness center, bar, and restaurant all within the hotel. The bar and restaurant are open to the public. Most rooms cost $90-100 per night, some up to $160. 
• Super 8 Motel, 847 Allegheny Blvd (Located off Route 8), ☏ +1 814 432-2101. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. An affordable motel in Reno, between Franklin and Oil City. While most rooms permit smoking, non-smoking rooms are also available. Rooms hold 2 to 4 people. Prices range from $65-70, except for the King Bed Suite, which costs about $140. 
• Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 225 Singh Drive, Seneca, ☏ +1 814 677-2640. Quite clean and comfortable. Serves complementary breakfast to all guests. Has an indoor swimming pool. All rooms are non-smoking. Prices range from $130-200 per night. 
• Two Mile Run Farmhouse and Cottage, 471 Beach Rd, ☏ +1 814 676-6116. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: noon. For those looking to get out of the city and enjoy the areas natural surroundings, Two Mile Run offers the opportunity to rent either a cottage or farmouse. You must stay for a minimum of 2 nights. Amenities include a washer and dryer, clean linens, towels, a bathroom, a kitchen, a fireplace, and air conditioning. The cottage holds 5 people, and the farmhouse holds 10. The cottage costs $105 per day or $470 per week, the farmhouse costs $132 per day or $594 per week. 
• Two Mile Run Campgrounds, 471 Beach Rd., ☏ +1 814 676-6116. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: noon. Check in with Park Official to check out. Two Mile Run has 72 camping areas, 12 of which offer full hook-ups. Reservations must be made for a minimum of 2 nights and can stay no longer than 30 days. Prices range from $13-21 per night depending on whether your site has hook-ups or not and $79-125 per week. 

Internet access is available at the Franklin Public Library.

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