KBIA’s Darren Hellwege was surprised by New Franklin. He went out expecting to meet older folks and talk about the town’s interesting history, and the story of how it went from being “Franklin” on the river to “New Franklin” up the hill following a devastating flood.But today, New Franklin, more than anything, is about families and kids. Darren visits a city park where his new friends in New Franklin are more interested in swings and slides than flooding and history. Then, we visit a neat little shop in downtown full of sweet smells and yet another story of how New Franklin is about families—a shopkeeper who moved back from Nashville to raise her family in her hometown of New Franklin, but not before helping her sister get her career started. That career? The country music superstar story of Sara Evans.
While holding onto it’s small town charm, the 21st century has found New Franklin, which maintains an excellent town website.
Ashley and Iris can be your “friend” on Facebook with “My Favorite Things.”
There’s another member of Ashley’s family you should know about…the 2006 Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year, and proud native of New Franklin, singer (and now author!) Sara Evans. Sara’s married to former Alabama football superstar Jay Barker but still we find the whole “Roll Tide” thing on her website a little objectionable.
This postcard from New Franklin is part of the 40/40 Project: KBIA is celebrating its 40th anniversary by visiting 40 different towns in Mid-Missouri. Find them all at The 40/40 Project.
