Based on its population growth during the 1920s, Franklinton experienced a period of relative prosperity. The number of citizens grew from 1,058 in 1920 to 1,320 in 1930—an increase of nearly twenty-five percent. Buoyed by agriculture, several key industries, and a railroad, the town supported a number of businesses, educational institutions, and churches.

Franklinton owed its existence to the Raleigh and Gaston Railroad, which was completed in 1840. Franklin Depot, which enabled area farmers to transport cotton, tobacco, and other crops to markets more easily than ever before, was incorporated as Franklinton in 1842. By the 1920s, however, the railroad was part of the Seaboard Air Line Railroad system. This company operated both passenger and freight stations, which provided employment to a number of the town’s citizens. At the time of the 1930 census, these included freight agent Joseph T. Moss; Tom Thomas, a watchman; and several telegraph operators.

The railroad served Franklinton’s largest employer, the Sterling Cotton Mills, which produced cotton yarn. Founded in 1895, the company in 1930 was overseen by Aldridge H. Vann, a son of the founder. Approximately 225 of Franklinton’s citizens worked in the mill. These included doffers, finishers, foremen, spinners, spoolers, and other workers. Many of them lived in company housing—small frame structures located on Old Hill, New Hill, and Clegg Street. The workers, and other citizens, bought food, clothing, and other necessities from the Sterling Store Company, one of the town’s principal mercantile firms. Established in 1913, the store featured dry goods, clothing, shoe, millinery, ready-to-wear, hardware, grocery, and meat departments.

Sterling was not the town’s only industry, however. In 1930 a towel mill, a lumber mill, and a cotton gin provided employment.

Main Street no doubt bustled with traffic, especially on pay days. In addition to large mercantile firms, it boasted several offices and restaurants, an automobile dealership, a filling station, A. B. Allen’s dry-cleaning plant, a Rexall pharmacy managed by Robert J. Rose, the Community Theatre, the fire department, and the post office. Citizens Bank, a two-story brick structure on the northwest corner of Main and Mason Streets, offered crucial financial services.

The town supported a number of other businesses. In 1930 Marvin W. Hardee served as editor of The Franklinton News. Robert E. Jackson was the town’s studio photographer. Ulysses Allen and Albert B. Cook worked as undertakers. Stella Britt and Juanita Perry made hats at a millinery store.

Franklinton had long been a center of education for black and white residents of the region. Albion Academy, which was located south of the Sterling Cotton Mills facilities, uplifted the black community. In the late 1920s its plant included two dormitories, a recitation building, a chapel, an infirmary, a dining hall, and other structures. The black graded school was located near the corner of College and Main Streets. The expansive public school for white students, located on Main Street between Mason and Vine Streets, had been built through the generosity of Samuel Cannady Vann, founder of the cotton mill.

Citizens of the thriving community supported a number of churches. The Methodist Episcopal Church graced Main Street, while two Baptist churches—First Baptist and Franklinton Baptist, occupied locations on South Main and Mason Streets, respectively. Other churches included Allen’s Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion, a Christian church, and Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian.

The Great Depression dealt a severe blow to Franklinton. Sterling Cotton Mills closed in 1932 (it was later reorganized) and other businesses failed. Gone were the boom times of the 1920s.

Published in The Franklin Times on Nov 21, 2018.

Maury York is director of Louisburg College’s Tar River Center for History and Culture.