The Bark & Bite
Franklin, MO was established in 1816 along the banks of the Missouri River. At the time, this was as far west as one could go in Missouri. Franklin later became known as the “Eastern Terminus of the Santa Fe Trail”: A trail that proceeded from Franklin, MO to Santa Fe, New Mexico. In 1816, this was rugged territory.
A history of new Franklin Schools: Seeing our future through the the lens of our past
On August 10, 1821, Missouri became our 24th State and by then, the very first school in Franklin may have been established. Known today as “Franklin Academy” (shown below), we know this was the last building standing after some widespread flooding washed away Franklin between 1826 and 1828.
In 1828, New Franklin was founded and from what we can determine, the New Franklin students would have been educated in area homes between 1828 and 1832. In 1832, The New Franklin School met in what we now call “The Old Seminary” (pictured below). This building still stands at 110 Market Street and served as our school for 50 years: 1832-1882.
In 1882 a second school was erected at 205 N. Howard Street and from what we can determine, it appears that this building site served as both the second and third New Franklin schools for the next 59 years. Through two building projects and several improvements from 1882 until 1941, New Franklin School was in the heart of town.
In 1938, land was acquired on West Broadway (Highway 5) for the construction of a new school. This would be the fourth school built in New Franklin in just over 100 years, due mostly to population growth. The new building was completed in 1941, except for the gymnasium. High school classes moved to the new building in September of that year. Elementary classes continued at the school on N. Howard through the early 1960’s until the elementary wings were added.
We should be proud to share in this larger narrative: The New Franklin School is connected to a long and unbroken line of educational excellence for 185 years and counting. With the addition of our new gymnasium, New Franklin School will be serving the students of this great city and the future of this great nation for many years to come.
Article Submitted by:
Greg Early, Co-Sponsor
October 2017
Many thanks to The Howard County Genealogical Society for sharing several documents and pictures. A special thanks to Jacque Schaller for taking the time to open the Historical Society to make this article possible.