Franklin County

	More About Franklin County
County Statistics
Interesting Facts
What To See And Do
Famous Franklin County Natives and Residents

Franklin County was established on January 30, 1913, with its county seat at Preston. It was the 30th county created in the state of Idaho. It was named for the first settlement in Idaho, Franklin, which was named for Franklin Richards, an apostle in the LDS Church. The settlement began in Franklin County in 1860 with thirteen families.

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County statistics:

County Seat: Preston
Population: 12,676 (2009 estimate)

Franklin County website

Borders:  Bannock, Bear Lake, Caribou and Oneida counties; Utah

Interesting Facts:

Franklin, located just over the border with Utah, is the oldest settlement in the state.  It was founded in 1860 by Mormon settlers, and is named after Franklin D. Richards, who was a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the time.

The county seat of Franklin County, Preston, was originally named Worm Creak because the waterways in the area resembled worms as they wound their way through the countryside.

The Oneida Stake Academy building in Preston is the oldest of the Mormon academy buildings still standing. In 2003, it was moved on one piece to a new location, making it the largest, highest and heaviest building to be moved intact in U.S. history.

What To See And Do:

The Franklin County Historic Area includes the Hatch House, which is a good example of stone Greek revival style that was popular in the area in the 1870s. The Hatch House was built in 1872 and stands on one of the largest lots on Main Street in Preston.  The building is not open to the public, but the exterior can be viewed.

Preston achieved cult fame when it was the site for the 2004 film, "Napoleon Dynamite,"written and directed by Preston native Jared Hess.  The city hosted an annual Napoleon Dynamite festival for a couple of years, bringing thousands of people to the small town.  The Chamber of Commerce provides Napoleon Dynamite tour maps, noting the locations that the film used for shooting.

The Oneida Stake Academy Building was constructed in 1890, and moved in one piece to a new home in Benson Park in Preston's city center.  Restoration efforts are currently underway.

Pioneer Historic Byway retraces the steps of Idaho's early pioneers, starting at Franklin, heading up through Soda Springs and to the Wyoming border.  It's also the shortest distance and time between Salt Lake City and Yellowstone National Park.  Sites along the Byway in Franklin County include the Franklin Historic District, the Oneida Stake Academy and the Bear River Massacre Site.

The Relic Hall is open to the public from Memorial Day through Labor Day and at other times by appointment.  This building was constructed from timber provided by the US Forest Service and labor by the Civilian Conservation Corps crews. It is currently operated by the Idaho State Historical Society, which hosts several historical displays about the area.

That Famous Preston Night Rodeo is held each summer and include a parade and carnival along with the rodeo. The Rodeo, which began in 1936, is the second oldest night-time rodeo in the country.

The Worm Creek Opera House, which features the name that Preston was orginally bestowed, features summmer performances of melodramas, plays and movies.  In the winter, it is used for community and school activities.

Famous Franklin County Natives and Residents:

Ezra Taft Benson (1899-1994) served in both public office and national religious positions. He was born in Whitney, Idaho, just over the border from Utah. He was a farm economist and Boise church leader. He served as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture from 1953 to 1961. He was named President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1985, and served in that position until his death in 1994.