The Franklin Tree, Franklinia Altamaha, was discovered by John Bartram, the first native American botanist, on October 1, 1765, in the swamp lands of the Altamaha River about 18 miles south of here. Named after Benjamin Franklin, this flowering tree was a member of the Camella family and became famous as the Lost Franklinia. It was last seen growing wild in 1790, but a specimen transplanted to Bartram's garden in Philadelphia, Pa. survived and became the ancestors of the present cultivated plants.