Franklin Relic Hall - 1937

Franklin Relic Hall, completed in 1937, is a fine example of Depression Era rustic architecture and an early successful effort to preserve and interpret community history. Designed in 1935 by architect Chris Gunderson to evoke the region’s pioneer past, it was built through a cooperative effort on land deeded to the State of Idaho by the pioneer association, using timber provided by the U.S. Forest Service and cut by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The Civilian Conservation Corps, a federal relief program of the 1930’s, provided work and vocational training for unemployed single young men while building roads, bridges, buildings, and completing forestry projects on public lands. The hall became a community landmark and a tribute to Franklin’s earliest settlers. Preservation of local relics was driven by Franklin resident Elliott Butterworth, who emigrated from England at age 16 and lived in Franklin from 1869 to 1912 while operating a general store. During those years he collected and assembled more than a thousand items of memorabilia related to Franklin’s pioneer past and donated them to the town of Franklin. His interest in history led to the founding of the Franklin Pioneer Association in 1910, and in 1923 the group purchased the FCMI store to display the artifacts. When the collection outgrew that building, the group led the effort to construct a new relic hall.

Franklin, Idaho · United States