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Franklin Street (Chapel Hill)
Encyclopedia
Franklin Street is a prominent thoroughfare in Chapel Hill
, North Carolina
. Historic Franklin Street is considered the center of social life for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
, as well as the town of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and it is home to numerous coffee shops, restaurants, museums, bookshops, music stores and bars. The street in downtown Chapel Hill is notable for its festivities, nightlife, and culture. The stretch of college-oriented businesses continues west into neighboring Carrboro
. Both streets are home to small music venues, like the Cat's Cradle and the Carrboro Arts Center, which were influential in the birth of Chapel Hill rock, and Chapel Hill's Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, as well as the Ackland Art Museum.
East Main Street ends. West Franklin moves east-northeast through the town's historic business district to Columbia Street, where it becomes East Franklin. East Franklin continues the straight path through the business district, passing campus and then curving north "down the hill" through some of Chapel Hill's historic neighborhoods. East Franklin Street ends just beyond Ephesus Church Road, where it morphs into U.S. Highway 15-501 towards Durham
. Over time, Chapel Hill, as well as Carrboro, North Carolina and Hillsborough, North Carolina, have meshed together to form historically charming communities that offer a wide range of activities and cultural experiences to enjoy. Although Chapel Hill is a part of "the triangle" of North Carolina (Raleigh and Durham included), it is situated further to the west, and nowadays the towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough within North Carolina are their own smaller triangle of which local residents can be proud.
by the commissioners of the University (Franklin was a proponent of practical education for youth), the street has been in use under its current name since the 1790s, when construction of the University began. The stretch of Franklin from Columbia to Raleigh streets borders the campus, allowing views of wooded McCorkle Place (the North Quadrangle, named after Reverend Samuel E. McCorkle, who authored the original bill requesting a charter from the North Carolina General Assembly
for the University in 1784). McCorkle Place is home to some of the school's oldest structures: Old East
and Old West Dormitories, Person Hall (originally the University chapel), the South Building (main administration building), and the Old Well
(site of the original well for the University).
Just east of campus along Franklin Street are several of Chapel Hill's historic homes, including the President's House, the Samuel Phillips House, Spencer House, Widow Puckett House, Hooper-Kyser
House, the Presbyterian Manse, Kennette House, Archibald-Henderson House, and the town's first law office (known as "Mr. Sam's Law Office" - now a private residence). Many of the homes are featured on an annual holiday tour that benefits the Chapel Hill Preservation Society. After playwright Paul Green won the Pulitzer Prize
in 1927, he used his newfound wealth to buy a house on East Franklin Street. Green's career is documented in the exhibition "The Paul Green Legacy" at the Chapel Hill Museum
, at 523 E. Franklin Street.
The original Chapel Hill High School was located on Franklin Street until, due to desegregation
efforts of the mid-1960s, it was demolished in favor of the construction of a new high school across town. The site of the high school became what is currently the University Square shopping center. White Chapel Hill High School merged with the black Lincoln High School to form the new Chapel Hill High School.
Franklin Street has long been a favorite destination for entertainment and nightlife for Carolina students, Chapel Hill locals and visitors from Carrboro, Hillsborough
, Durham
and Raleigh
.
In the 1970s, "hippies" with street carts on Franklin Street were outselling businesses with storefronts, which led to business complaints and the Chapel Hill Town Council banning street vendors. The council first tried to block sidewalk sales of everything but flowers, but when the street vendors found ways around the rule, the council blocked all street vendors from Franklin Street. As of 2009, the town council is considering allowing street vendors again, although some business owners do not want street vending to be legalized due to the competition.
Franklin Street had problems in 2007 with an increased amount of loitering
and panhandling, which was attributed to an increasing homeless population in Chapel Hill and the nearby location of a homeless shelter
. The town has vowed to move the homeless shelter to another location, but has not yet done so. At least two property owners have said that they will move the locations of their businesses.
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Chapel Hill is a town in Orange County, North Carolina, United States and the home of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and UNC Health Care...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. Historic Franklin Street is considered the center of social life for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
, as well as the town of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and it is home to numerous coffee shops, restaurants, museums, bookshops, music stores and bars. The street in downtown Chapel Hill is notable for its festivities, nightlife, and culture. The stretch of college-oriented businesses continues west into neighboring Carrboro
Carrboro, North Carolina
Carrboro is a town in Orange County in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The population was 19,582 at the 2010 census. The town, which is part of the Durham-Chapel Hill metropolitan statistical area, was named after North Carolina industrialist Julian Shakespeare Carr.Located near Chapel Hill and...
. Both streets are home to small music venues, like the Cat's Cradle and the Carrboro Arts Center, which were influential in the birth of Chapel Hill rock, and Chapel Hill's Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, as well as the Ackland Art Museum.
Geography
The three-mile (5 km) length is divided into West and East Franklin Streets. West Franklin begins at the intersection of South Merrit Mill Road where Carrboro'sCarrboro, North Carolina
Carrboro is a town in Orange County in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The population was 19,582 at the 2010 census. The town, which is part of the Durham-Chapel Hill metropolitan statistical area, was named after North Carolina industrialist Julian Shakespeare Carr.Located near Chapel Hill and...
East Main Street ends. West Franklin moves east-northeast through the town's historic business district to Columbia Street, where it becomes East Franklin. East Franklin continues the straight path through the business district, passing campus and then curving north "down the hill" through some of Chapel Hill's historic neighborhoods. East Franklin Street ends just beyond Ephesus Church Road, where it morphs into U.S. Highway 15-501 towards Durham
Durham, North Carolina
Durham is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the county seat of Durham County and also extends into Wake County. It is the fifth-largest city in the state, and the 85th-largest in the United States by population, with 228,330 residents as of the 2010 United States census...
. Over time, Chapel Hill, as well as Carrboro, North Carolina and Hillsborough, North Carolina, have meshed together to form historically charming communities that offer a wide range of activities and cultural experiences to enjoy. Although Chapel Hill is a part of "the triangle" of North Carolina (Raleigh and Durham included), it is situated further to the west, and nowadays the towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough within North Carolina are their own smaller triangle of which local residents can be proud.
Heritage
Named after Benjamin FranklinBenjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
by the commissioners of the University (Franklin was a proponent of practical education for youth), the street has been in use under its current name since the 1790s, when construction of the University began. The stretch of Franklin from Columbia to Raleigh streets borders the campus, allowing views of wooded McCorkle Place (the North Quadrangle, named after Reverend Samuel E. McCorkle, who authored the original bill requesting a charter from the North Carolina General Assembly
North Carolina General Assembly
The North Carolina General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of North Carolina. The General Assembly drafts and legislates the state laws of North Carolina, also known as the General Statutes...
for the University in 1784). McCorkle Place is home to some of the school's oldest structures: Old East
Old East
Old East is a dormitory building located at the north part of campus in University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. When it was built in 1793, it became the first state university building in the United States...
and Old West Dormitories, Person Hall (originally the University chapel), the South Building (main administration building), and the Old Well
Old Well
The Old Well is a small, neoclassical rotunda located on the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill campus at the southern end of McCorkle Place. The current decorative form of the Old Well was modeled after the Temple of Love in the Gardens of Versailles and was completed in 1897...
(site of the original well for the University).
Just east of campus along Franklin Street are several of Chapel Hill's historic homes, including the President's House, the Samuel Phillips House, Spencer House, Widow Puckett House, Hooper-Kyser
Kay Kyser
James Kern Kyser was a popular bandleader and radio personality of the 1930s and 1940s.-Early years:He was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, the son of pharmacists Paul Bynum Kyser and Emily Royster Kyser. Editor Vermont C. Royster was his cousin...
House, the Presbyterian Manse, Kennette House, Archibald-Henderson House, and the town's first law office (known as "Mr. Sam's Law Office" - now a private residence). Many of the homes are featured on an annual holiday tour that benefits the Chapel Hill Preservation Society. After playwright Paul Green won the Pulitzer Prize
Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
in 1927, he used his newfound wealth to buy a house on East Franklin Street. Green's career is documented in the exhibition "The Paul Green Legacy" at the Chapel Hill Museum
Chapel Hill Museum
Chapel Hill Museum was a local cultural and historical museum in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The museum was founded in 1996 by leaders of the Town of Chapel Hill's Bicentennial Committee and celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2006. In the decade since its founding, Chapel Hill Museum averaged over...
, at 523 E. Franklin Street.
The original Chapel Hill High School was located on Franklin Street until, due to desegregation
Desegregation
Desegregation is the process of ending the separation of two groups usually referring to races. This is most commonly used in reference to the United States. Desegregation was long a focus of the American Civil Rights Movement, both before and after the United States Supreme Court's decision in...
efforts of the mid-1960s, it was demolished in favor of the construction of a new high school across town. The site of the high school became what is currently the University Square shopping center. White Chapel Hill High School merged with the black Lincoln High School to form the new Chapel Hill High School.
Hillsborough, North Carolina
Hillsborough is a town in Orange County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 5,653 at the 2008 census. It is the county seat of Orange County....
, Durham
Durham, North Carolina
Durham is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the county seat of Durham County and also extends into Wake County. It is the fifth-largest city in the state, and the 85th-largest in the United States by population, with 228,330 residents as of the 2010 United States census...
and Raleigh
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
.
Historical businesses
Five businesses currently located on Franklin Street have been open for more than 50 years: Chapel Hill Tire Company, University Florist, Carolina Coffee Shop, Sutton's Drug Store, and Julian's clothing store.- Colonial Drugstore: Originally located on West Franklin Street (closed 1996; now the site of the Mediterranean Deli), Colonial Drugstore was the site of sit-inSit-inA sit-in or sit-down is a form of protest that involves occupying seats or sitting down on the floor of an establishment.-Process:In a sit-in, protesters remain until they are evicted, usually by force, or arrested, or until their requests have been met...
s in the spring of 1960 when students from Lincoln High School made a stand at the establishment's soda fountainSoda fountainA soda fountain is a device that dispenses carbonated drinks. They can be found in restaurants, concession stands and other locations such as convenience stores...
. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Martin Luther King visited and spoke on the UNC campus, thrusting Chapel Hill into the national debate on civil rights. Colonial Drug was also the longtime home of the "Big O", a beverage made from fresh-squeezed oranges similar to orangeade. - Ramshead RathskellerRathskellerRatskeller is a name in German-speaking countries for a bar or restaurant located in the basement of a city hall or nearby...
: This establishment served famous UNC alumni its signature lasagnaLasagnaLasagna is a wide and flat type of pasta and possibly one of the oldest shapes. As with most other pasta shapes, the word is generally used in its plural form lasagne in Italy and the U.K. Traditionally, the dough was prepared in Southern Italy with semolina and water and in the northern regions,...
from 1948, when it was opened by an AustriaAustriaAustria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
n Jew by the last name of Danziger, who came to Chapel Hill as a refugee from the Holocaust. "The Rat" was the first restaurant in the area to employ an entirely African-American staff. Long a popular spot with students and alumni, the restaurant, which extends over a catacomb-like basement with many different rooms, was filled with UNC memorabilia and history. "The Rat" was one of the oldest continuously operating businesses in Chapel Hill, but was closed down in 2008 due to non-payment of taxes. Its decor and memorabilia were auctioned off, leaving just the bones of the structure. The future of its unique location is unknown. Customers included Michael JordanMichael JordanMichael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
, Jerry StackhouseJerry StackhouseJerry Darnell Stackhouse is an American professional basketball player who plays both shooting guard and small forward. He most recently played for the Miami Heat. He is now an NBA TV analyst but remains as an eligible free agent....
and Roy WilliamsRoy Williams (coach)Roy Williams is head coach of the men's basketball team at the University of North Carolina. After averaging nearly an 80% win percentage in 15 seasons at the University of Kansas, he became the eighteenth head coach at North Carolina when he replaced Matt Doherty in 2003...
. - Sutton's Drugstore: Largely unchanged since it opened in 1923, Sutton's operates one of the last remaining traditional soda fountains in North Carolina. Photos on the walls showcase past patrons for more than 30 years. The manager, Don Pinney, has worked there for 30 years, during which time some of the same customers have traditionally come in for breakfast every morning.
Celebrations
Franklin Street is home to several yearly festivals/gatherings, some of which are nationally famous:- Victory celebrations: While students previously held "Beat DukeDuke UniversityDuke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
" parades on Franklin Street before sporting events, today students and sports fans have been known to spill out of bars and dormitories upon the victory of one of Carolina's sports teamsNorth Carolina Tar HeelsThe North Carolina Tar Heels are the athletic teams for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The name Tar Heel is a nickname used to refer to individuals from the state of North Carolina, the Tar Heel State...
. In most cases, a Franklin Street "bonfire" celebration is due to a victory by the men's basketball teamNorth Carolina Tar Heels men's basketballThe North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball program is the intercollegiate men's basketball of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and is considered one of the most successful programs in NCAA history...
, although other Franklin Street celebrations have stemmed from wins by the women's basketball teamNorth Carolina Tar Heels women's basketballThe North Carolina Tar Heels women's basketball team represent the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the Atlantic Coast Conference of NCAA Division I women's basketball.- Home Arenas :...
and women's soccer teamNorth Carolina Tar HeelsThe North Carolina Tar Heels are the athletic teams for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The name Tar Heel is a nickname used to refer to individuals from the state of North Carolina, the Tar Heel State...
. Upon the event the men's basketball team reaches the national championship game, local stores are known to halt sales of Carolina-blue paint to avoid a repeat of the 1982 jamboree which resulted in Franklin Street being painted blue by celebrating fansTar HeelTar Heel is a nickname applied to the state and inhabitants of North Carolina as well as the nickname of the University of North Carolina athletic teams, students, alumni, and fans....
. On April 6, 2009 after winning the men's basketball national championship, over 45,000 UNC fans and students crowded Franklin Street. - Halloween: Franklin Street is most notable for its Halloween celebrationHalloween on Franklin StreetHalloween on Franklin Street is a yearly tradition in Chapel Hill, North Carolina that encompasses a massive gathering on Franklin Street, the cultural hub of the town. The Halloween celebration began in the early 1980’s as a considerably smaller event, involving Chapel Hill residents and college...
, which occurs annually on October 31. Tens of thousands of all age groups attend the event each year; nearly 80,000 attended in 2004 through 2007. The event is not town-sponsored and the town actually discourages out-of-towners from attending; yet, an influx of non-residents descend on the town each year despite the town's suggestion. In an attempt to promote order during the event, the Town of Chapel Hill now closes the street to traffic after 8:00 p.m. on Halloween and directs visitors to satellite parking decks around the town, from where buses used to shuttle tourists to the main event area. Attendees of the event typically dress in costume and stroll Franklin Street enjoying the wide array of festive atire and snapping photos. Due to the cost and security concerns of the event, Chapel Hill has attempted to discourage the event in recent years. In 2008, Chapel Hill promoted a "Homegrown Halloween" which would only include locals and not out-of-towners; those from outside Chapel Hill were discouraged from attending. The town requested that Chapel Hill Transit not run shuttle buses from park-and-ride lots as it had done in past years, and Duke UniversityDuke UniversityDuke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
students agreed not to send a bus as they had traditionally done. Bars charged cover fees and alcohol sales were restricted after 1 A.M. The strategy resulted in only about 35,000 revelers for the 2008 Halloween celebrations. - Festifall: Franklin Street has become well known for its many arts and crafts festivals. However, local gang involvement and violence has led to the canceling of some, including Applechill. But Festifall has stood the test of time.
Issues
"Flower ladies" sold their goods on Franklin Street for more than 50 years from the 1920s on.In the 1970s, "hippies" with street carts on Franklin Street were outselling businesses with storefronts, which led to business complaints and the Chapel Hill Town Council banning street vendors. The council first tried to block sidewalk sales of everything but flowers, but when the street vendors found ways around the rule, the council blocked all street vendors from Franklin Street. As of 2009, the town council is considering allowing street vendors again, although some business owners do not want street vending to be legalized due to the competition.
Franklin Street had problems in 2007 with an increased amount of loitering
Loitering
Loitering is the act of remaining in a particular public place for a protracted time. Under certain circumstances, it is illegal in various jurisdictions.-Prohibition and history:Loitering may be prohibited by local governments in several countries...
and panhandling, which was attributed to an increasing homeless population in Chapel Hill and the nearby location of a homeless shelter
Homeless shelter
Homeless shelters are temporary residences for homeless people which seek to protect vulnerable populations from the often devastating effects of homelessness while simultaneously reducing the environmental impact on the community...
. The town has vowed to move the homeless shelter to another location, but has not yet done so. At least two property owners have said that they will move the locations of their businesses.
See also
- University of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillThe University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
- Chapel Hill, North CarolinaChapel Hill, North CarolinaChapel Hill is a town in Orange County, North Carolina, United States and the home of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and UNC Health Care...
- U.S. Route 15-501 in North CarolinaU.S. Route 15-501 in North CarolinaU.S. Route 15-501 in North Carolina is a concurrency of U.S. Route 15 and U.S. Route 501; it traverses approximately across central North Carolina; from Laurinburg to Durham.-Route description:...
- List of places named after people
External links
- daytripp. Online guide to locally-owned downtown businesses featuring several short documentary films.
- The World Music Central guide to Chapel Hill. For cultural travelers shopsinterested in local roots music, venues, CD , instrument makers, etc.
- HTYP: Chapel Hill, NC (wiki-based directory)
- OrangePolitics Multi-author blog about progressive politics in the Chapel Hill area.
- Uniting Neighbors of Carrboro and Chapel Hill.