Franklin House, commercial building
The Franklin House is a three-story brick building on East Broad Street in Athens built between 1845 and 1860, showing features of Federal and Greek Revival architecture. The ground floor was originally lined with shops for various trades like silversmithing and dentistry, while the upper floors housed the Franklin Hotel and later offices and apartments.
The building was constructed by William L. Mitchell, who also owned the nearby Mitchell Hotel, and initially served as a hotel with ground-floor shops. After a fire in 1871, it became the Athens Hardware Company, which operated for over 100 years until the building was rescued in 1973 by the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation with support from Jimmy Carter.
The building was originally a gathering point for commerce and travelers, and this mixed-use character still defines it today. The ground-floor shops and apartments above reflect how business and residential life were intertwined in the same structure.
The building is located in downtown Athens on East Broad Street and is easily walkable from restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues. The location receives steady foot traffic during the day, making it a lively place to explore.
The building was rescued in 1973 from near demolition through a fundraising campaign by the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation with support from Jimmy Carter. This rescue effort shows how the community chose to preserve its past rather than tear it down.
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