Founded in 1796, Franklin is the oldest city in the Heritage Triangle. In 1805 President Thomas Jefferson commissioned the first post office in the region in Franklin, a log home now located along the banks of the Great Miami River. For years, Franklin was the largest town around, a thriving paper mill town with the first three-story department store west of the Alleghenies. Lovely tree-lined streets, thriving Main Street shops, and beautifully kept homes made Franklin "The Loveliest Village in Ohio" in 1913. In 1935, Franklin was the site of a famous bank robbery. You can visit the vault in the old Franklin National Bank building and view a fabulous collection of American fretted instruments.

Take walking tour of downtown and admire the spectacular murals by nationally-known muralist Eric Henn. Stroll along Franklin's historic Park Avenue and tour the Mackinaw Historic District, a collection of Victorian mansions on the National Historic Register built by the prosperity of this river city's industry. Call 937-746-8295 for a personal appointment to tour the Harding Museum, home of General Forrest Harding, which houses an extensive collection of military items, period clothing, and early business relics. Drop by Kinney's for dinner and view the mural of Franklin's history in the dining room.

Franklin offers recreation with a historical twist along the site of the Miami and Erie Canal along the Great Miami River, the future site of the Great Connection Bike Path, linking Dayton to Cincinnati.