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The first settlers arrived in Franklin County in 1804. This
group included six brothers named Jordan. They settled
near the southeastern corner of the County, near
modern Thompsonville. The first year they built a pole
shed, covered with brush, chinked with mud, thatched
with grass, and open to the south. They kept a fire
burning outside the south face. This was called the
Jordan Settlement.
(NOTE: The 1804 has not been proven as stated in some
Historical writtings. There are documents showing this
date should be more in the range of 1808-1809.)
In the winter of 1809, during Tecumseh's War, there
was fear of attacks by Indians. Governor Edwards
issued a call for the building of forts. Frank Jordan
built two forts. The one at the settlement was called
"Jordan's Fort". The second was several miles west.
It was called "Frank's Fort", which eventually
became West Frankfort.
Franklin County was formed in 1818 out of Gallatin,
White and part of Jackson Counties. It is 36 miles
long and 24 miles wide; making 864 square miles. It's
bounded north by Jefferson County; east,by Hamilton
and Gallatin County; south by Johnson and Union County;
west by Jackson and Perry Counties.
Franklin County is watered by Rend Lake and the Big
Muddy River and branches, and the south fork of saline
creek. The prairies are generally small and fertile, but
rather to level; the timber good and in ambundance; the
soil rather sandy. Its products are similar to those of
the counties adjoining and it is capable of being made a
rich agricultural county.
It was named for Benjamin
Franklin.
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