Franktown
Franktown is located in Douglas County. The town started out as a trail. A minor dirt trail, made by animals, Trappers and American Indians looking for water and shelter in this beautiful valley area. Lovingly called the Trappers Trail it was later replaced by the railroad and named Cherokee Trail. Late in the 1850s gold was discovered near the Cherry Creek by some adventurous men named Oliver and Levi Russell and Cherokee Indians. The area of the find was named Russellville and became part of the Franktown community. Cherry Creek which connects farther down to the Platte River, provides most of the water source for the town.
Franktown is located in Douglas County. The town started out as a trail. A minor dirt trail, made by animals, Trappers and American Indians looking for water and shelter in this beautiful valley area. Lovingly called the Trappers Trail it was later replaced by the railroad and named Cherokee Trail. Late in the 1850s gold was discovered near the Cherry Creek by some adventurous men named Oliver and Levi Russell and Cherokee Indians. The area of the find was named Russellville and became part of the Franktown community. Cherry Creek which connects farther down to the Platte River, provides most of the water source for the town.
You can check out the Census Bureau and find that todays population may be around 100 people. But that would only be “Franktown Village“. The Franktown Village consists mainly of commercial establishments and is the “hub” of the town. It is at the center of highways 83 and 86. The Village is 950 acres and is home to many local business owners. Part of Franktown is agricultural land, working ranches and recreation acreage. They have also reserved part of the surrounding land to include a wildlife habitat and holds an importance to the natural ecoglogical functions. Homes have lots from one to ten acres and includes the rural communities of Bannockburn, Russellville, and Whispering Pines. This brings the total of Franktown to over 3,800 residents. There are over 1,400 residential primary homes in the area on over 23,000 acres. Of those 1,400 residence homes 94% are owner occupied. The average home sells for close to $500,000, however you can call our office for local listings.
Franktown has an elementary school holding over 288 children grades K-6. You can checkout the website for the district DCSD to find out which middle school and high school your student would attend. The site also has information about employment and events throughout the district.
An interesting and informative website is FranktownColorado.com it features government, community, business, school, events, information, groups, associations, and sporting events in and around Franktown Colorado. And also features Franktown real estate and homes for sale, land for sale and other real estate for sale in Franktown Colorado and neighboring communities. Look in their Favorite Links for our website as well!
James Frank Gardner squatted on land near the California Ranch owned by Charles Parkhurst. James had become bored with gold seeking and started working at the local sawmill nearby. Early in 1860 James began hauling lumber on his own and people flocked to the area not only for the prospect of gold by also the abundance of lumber. The squatters claim James called Frankstown and it was later shortened to Franktown by the U.S. Congress. James being originally from New York and also familiar with legislation found himself a seat on the Colorado Territorial Legislation committee and made Franktown the county seat. James later moved the county records to the California Ranch and the ranch was to burn to the ground in December of 1863. With the Civil War ended, James bought the California Ranch and rebuilt. Government business was again held at the California Ranch but was moved to Castle Rock in 1873, which was a really good thing as the California Ranch once again burned to the ground in 1874. The county seat was moved to Castle Rock for convenience sake. Always wanting to stay involved with the small town, James became the postmaster and today Franktown has the oldest post office in Colorado. Colorado became a state in 1876 and Franktown was home to a school, general store and naturally a tavern along with many other businesses and homes
If your curiosity has gotten the better of you and you would like to know more about the town of Franktown, please us for all the latest information on housing in Franktown Real Estate.
