The Borough of Franklin is located in the eastern part of Sussex County, New Jersey. Sussex County is the most extreme north west county in New Jersey. In fact, the highest elevation point above sea level, High Point State Park, is located in Sussex County.
Franklin is a four square mile former Mining community. The zinc mines located in Franklin as well as nearby Ogdensburg, closed in 1954. The 1990 census shows a population of 4, 977. Franklin is world famous for the Franklin Mineral Museum, which exhibits 1,213 different varieties of minerals found in the area. The mineral know as “Franklinite” is found only in the Borough of Franklin, New Jersey, which is know as “the fluorescent capital of the world”.
Schools located within the borough include the Franklin Elementary School as well as Immaculate Conception.
Grades 9-12 attend either Walkill Valley Regional High School, located in nearby Hardyston, New Jersey or Sussex Technical School in Sparta.
The recent addition of Weis Markets and Wal-Mart offers additional shopping opportunities, which also includes Shop-Rite, and Mandee’s. Fast food stores include McDonalds, Burger King, Arbys, as well as many other local restaurants. The Rockaway Mall, which is located in nearby Rockaway township, hosts many of the major stores, and is the closest shopping mall. It is a short twenty minute ride away.
The Borough of Franklin has been represented for over 100 years by the award winning Franklin Band, which presents concerts, participates in parades locally and throughout NJ, NY, PA, as well as special community affairs presentations. Area musicians are invited to join the Franklin Band.