The Old Franklin Congregational Academy stood on this site, where its pioneer founders and educators were E. B. James, A. E. Rice, W. S. Phipps, Rev. Amos Dresser, Rev. C. S. Harrison, Reve. W. S. Hampton, Prin. A. C. Hart, and Rev. G. W. Mitchell. The academy had a total enrollment of 2670 and total graduates of 477. Its corner stone of native rock was laid Aug. 9, 1881, a bell called all classes for 41 years, and a petrified log was a prominent object on campus for years. It was dedicated June 12, 1925.