Franklin

Franklin is a long, thin town, running alongside the Huon River. Population about 300. (Compared to 3400 in 1891 census.)

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The tourist information board says:
Franklin became a busy river port and the cultural and commercial centre of the region. Franklin’s foreshore was reclaimed in 1922 to provide housing and recreation facilities in anticipation of greater population growth and ambitions that Franklin would become the third town of importance in Tasmania, after Hobart and Launceston. However, the replacement of river transport by roads led to Franklin’s relative decline especially in the second half of the 20th century. The River was no long the road.

Most of the buildings are on the inland (western) side of the highway.

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On the eastern side of the road is the river, sports grounds, jetties and the Wooden Boat Centre.

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