City of Franklin

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, © Max Nootbaar

Situated on the scenic Blackwater River, the City of Franklin – like other cities in Virginia’s Southside – has long been important as a transportation hub. It was established in 1835 as the Blackwater Depot, though quickly renamed Franklin Depot, and from the outset was an important way station in the movement of goods and people from Norfolk to points east or west, and into Virginia from the Albemarle Sound region of North Carolina. The depot was first incorporated as a town in 1876, though it did not become an independent city until 1961. Today, the city is among the smaller ones in Virginia, with a land area of approximately 8.75 sq. miles and a population of around 8500.

The Portsmouth & Roanoke Railroad (later known as the Seaboard Line) passed through the town, and starting by 1836, the depot was also an important stop for steamboats navigating the Blackwater. By the time of the Civil War, Franklin Depot was a thriving hub with warehouses, a sawmill, a general store, and even a hotel. Its status as an important place in the movement of goods meant that Franklin played a big role in keeping General Lee’s army supplied during the war, but it also made the town a target for Union forces. A raid by Union gunboats in 1862 led most of the civilians to abandon the town, and by the end of the war the railroads, bridges, and other infrastructure which had solidified Franklin’s status as a transportation center were destroyed. Recovery was swift, however, and advanced primarily by the Camp Manufacturing Company, which was the largest employer in Franklin for much of the 20th century. Established by brothers Paul and James Camp in 1887, the company was a major player in the lumber industry, and in 1937 opened a paper mill that to this day is a commanding presence in the city. In 1999, the company – by then known as Union Camp Corporation – was purchased by International Paper, and since that time some of the operations at the paper mill have been scaled back, a development which has left Franklin with the ongoing challenge of reinventing itself and attracting new businesses to the city.

Although Franklin is somewhat of an out-of-the-way destination for many Virginia birders, it offers some surprises to those who do make it down. Over 130 species have been reported to eBird from the city. Perhaps the most well-known birding spot in the area is the Pretlow Industrial Park fields. This area is slated to become an industrial park, though thus far has remained largely undeveloped. The extensive fields, which are maintained in their current state but not planted, are great for birds that are otherwise challenging in the city, including Eastern Meadowlark, American Kestrel, and Horned Lark. Pretlow is also of note as a place that frequently attracts regionally notable species and numbers of migrating shorebirds, and including Black-bellied Plover, and Stilt Sandpiper. These fields can also be a good place to spot soaring Mississippi Kites. Poplar Spring Cemetery on High Street is one of the better places to find woodland birds, as well as more local species including Red-headed Woodpecker and Brown-headed Nuthatch. Along the Blackwater River, there is a public boat ramp which also backs up to some edge habitat with plenty of vegetation and tangles. In winter, sparrows, kinglets, and Hermit Thrushes can be found here, while Prothonotary Warblers are present as breeders. The best spot for waterfowl is the large lake on Beechwood Drive, but even here diversity of waterfowl species is typically low.

The fields at Pretlow Industrial Park have furnished an impressive diversity of shorebirds, though by far the most notable is Upland Sandpiper, which has been recorded there twice. There is also a record of Anhinga, a species which might be expected to occur in the city again.

—Matt Anthony

Hotspots

Accessibility & Surroundings

The City of Franklin is located on Virginia's Southside, bordering Isle of Wight and Southampton counties, and very near the western edge of the City of Suffolk. US 58, which traverses the entire bottom edge of Virginia from Virginia Beach to Cumberland Gap, passes through Franklin and is the most direct route to points east or west. Emporia is the nearest city to the west, about 40 minutes away, while downtown Suffolk is a little over 30 minutes to the east. US 258 is the main north-south thoroughfare passing through Franklin, and provides the quickest access to the North Carolina border, which can be reached in about 15 minutes. This road also runs northeast into Smithfield, and from there connects with US 17 to lead travelers across the James River and into Newport News.

Amenities

The pickings in Franklin are somewhat slim as far as amenities, but visiting birders may still find some things of interest. The city has a Visitors' Center located in the old train station on Main Street. There are also limited shopping options available on Main Street. A relatively new addition to the dining scene, Serve Restaurant & Taphouse offers salads, sandwiches, and flatbreads alongside a robust craft beer selection. Visitors looking for eating options will have their best luck on Route 671 on the west side of town, which has a variety of chain options from fast food to sit down. El Ranchero Mexican Bar & Grill, adjacent to the Walmart, is an excellent place for a quick, cheap, and filling lunch while birding.

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