Hidden Treasures in Fabulous Franklin
Tucked away in a forgotten corner of Western North Carolina, not far from the Georgia line, lies an old town that’s rapidly developing a new spirit.
Although the area was home to the Cherokee people for centuries, the town itself was founded in 1820. Just two hours north of Atlanta and an hour west of Asheville, it’s always been smallish, quiet and, frankly, overlooked.
Only 3,800 residents call it home, but its location near both the Appalachian Trail and Great Smoky Mountains National Park gives it stunning and unique access to all the region has to offer.
But recently, Franklin’s quaint downtown district and greater environs have proven to be an attraction of their own. Bars, restaurants, performance venues, and even an eccentric architectural salvage shop give visitors plenty of reasons to explore both Franklin and its environs.
Start at Currahee Brewing, 100 Lakeside Drive, and enjoy one of their hand-crafted seasonal beers in a cavernous new 2,000 square-foot tasting room full of gorgeous hardwoods and a sprawling, rough-hewn bar. Currahee, which roughly translates to “stands alone” in Cherokee, also offers outdoor seating in a Bavarian-style beer garden adjacent to the lazily-flowing waters of the Little Tennessee River.
From there, head downtown. A visit to downtown Franklin’s Main Street would not be complete without a stop at Outdoor 76, located at 35 E. Main Street. Outdoor 76, as the name suggests, is an outfitter stocked full of outdoor clothing, fly fishing equipment, footwear, and canoe and kayak rental as well. But if the thought of hiking one of the area’s rugged mountain trails makes you tired, tucked away in the back of the store is a small bar full of both character, and characters.
Speaking of lazy hikers, the Lazy Hiker Brewing Company, 188 W. Main Street, is just a short walk from Outdoor 76. Featuring a broad array of craft beers—including tasting flights—the lazy hiker is known for serving some of beer-crazy Western North Carolina’s favorite brews. And don’t worry, if you get hungry, there’s a food truck parked alongside.
One thing many people don’t know is that Franklin also plays host to world class music, year-round. The Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, 1028 Georgia Road, is a state of the art 1,500-seat performance venue that presents dance, film, theater, and concerts in a gorgeous, family-friendly setting. Upcoming performances include country music superstars Sara Evans and Mickey Gilley, as well as the legendary Beach Boys.
A short jaunt south of Franklin to tiny Otto, North Carolina, you’ll find one of the most fascinating, visually interesting destinations you’ve ever seen.
But be warned—you may want to block off a whole afternoon and bring a moving truck.
David B. Culpepper’s Otto Salvage Depot specializes in lighting, but that’s not all the 13,000 square-foot, two-story building—designed by Culpepper to resemble an old train depot—contains.
“I travel all over the world, looking for the weird, the unusual,” Culpepper said.
Culpepper’s collection centers on fixtures and finishings sourced from some rather interesting places.
“I take apart barns, buildings, go to shipyards, train yards, industrial factories, those kinds of places,” he said, pointing to a stainless-steel ship’s porthole sitting on a shelf.
His heart’s really in the salvage business. He considers it a “slap in the face” to modern disposable culture. Perusing the building—or the two-acre lot it sits on—one can find anything from intricately carved wooden doors to flags and maps collected from old ships to antique railroad lanterns.
“I like one-offs, unique things,” he said.
Boxes and buckets of hinges and hangers and drawer pulls and doorknobs invite curious onlookers to dig and delve, as brass bells and all manner of clocks, barometers, gauges and gizmos loom nearby. Not surprisingly, Culpepper says the bulk of his business is wholesale, to designers looking for one-of-a-kind design accents and conversation pieces that bring intrigue and history to any home or office.
Much like the town of Franklin, Culpepper’s business is becoming more and more well-known, not just around the area, but around the country. Recently, a group of art students walked through the shop, taking in all the eye candy.
“There’s a lot of hidden treasures here, you know,” he said.
What’s not known, however, is if he was talking about his shop, or Franklin.
Museums
Franklin is home to some interesting, offbeat museums that you probably won’t find anywhere else in the world. As you explore fabulous Franklin’s hidden treasures, be sure not to miss any of these unique attractions.
Housing thousands of minerals and gems from around the world, including a ruby weighing more than two pounds, the Franklin Gem & Mineral Museum at 25 Phillips Street was founded in 1974 and is open May through October. fgmm.org or 828.371.2436.
The Ruby City Gem Museum at 130 E. Main Street is home to pre-Columbian artifacts, ivory carvings and a real shrunken head. If that’s not enough to entice you to this free museum, they also have a 385-pound sapphire. It is open April 1 through Dec. 26. rubycity.com or 828.524.3967.
It’s hard to believe that there is only one Scottish Tartans Museum in the entire United States, but it’s true. It’s located at 86 E. Main Street. Learn the history behind the culture as well as the role of these garments in the genealogy of the various clans who have peopled the Appalachians for centuries. It is open year-round. scottishtartans.org or 828.524.7472.
The Macon County Historical Museum, at 36 W. Main Street, showcases the inimitable mountain heritage one can only find in Southern Appalachia. Located in an early-20th century building listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the museum offers free admission and is open year-round. maconnchistorical.org or 828.524.9758.
Galleries
The visual arts have always been an important part of Southern Appalachian culture, and Franklin offers a variety of ways to experience that artistry in person.
At Tsartistry, 20 Cullasaja Vista Lane, browse through portraits and landscapes by some of Western North Carolina’s best known artists. tsartistry.com or 828.524.5359.
The Macon County Artists Association’s Uptown Gallery of Franklin, at 30 E. Main Street, also offers a stunning collection of local art produced by association members and partner artists. franklinuptowngallery.com or 828.349.4607.
Franklin native Michael M. Rogers is a naturalist, watercolorist, graphic designer and photographer with an eye for the distinctive beauty that makes the region so special. His gallery, Michael M. Rogers Fine Art, at 2724 Georgia Highway, is located in the Crystal Falls Specialty Shops development. michaelmrogersfineart.com or 828.524.6709.
- Town of Franklin franklinnc.com • 828.524.2516
- Franklin Chamber of Commerce franklin-chamber.com • 828.524.3161
- Macon County Government maconnc.org • 828.349.2000