Origins of the Franklin Community

The history of Franklin Cemetery is inseparable from the history of the Franklin community itself.

The Franklin area, located in Lane County, Oregon, was first settled in the early 1850s during the era of the Donation Land Claim Act, when families traveled west along the Oregon Trail to establish new homes in the Willamette Valley. These early settlers laid the foundation for a rural agricultural community built on family, land, and shared effort.

By the late 19th century, the area had grown into a more established settlement. The town of Franklin was formally laid out, marking a transition from scattered homesteads to an organized community.

Establishment of the Cemetery (1897)

Franklin Cemetery was created to serve the growing needs of the community as a permanent burial ground.

The land for the cemetery was donated by Thomas and Alice Mounts, one of the early families of the Franklin area. Their contribution made it possible to establish a dedicated place of rest for local residents—a common and meaningful act in rural Oregon communities at the time.

From its beginning, the cemetery was intended to serve not just one family, but the broader community. It became a place where generations of local families would be laid to rest, creating a lasting record of the people who lived and worked in the area.

Community, Church, and the Grange

Franklin Cemetery is also historically associated with the Franklin Grange, reflecting its role within the agricultural and social life of the community.

The Grange movement, which spread throughout rural America in the late 19th century, played an important role in supporting farming communities, encouraging cooperation, and fostering social connections. Cemeteries like Franklin’s were often closely tied to these local institutions, as well as to nearby churches.

As a result, the cemetery functioned not only as a burial ground, but as a shared space of remembrance tied to the civic and spiritual life of the community.

Families of Franklin

Franklin Cemetery became the final resting place for many of the families who shaped the local community. Over time, it has grown to include hundreds of burials, representing multiple generations.

Recurring family names found within the cemetery reflect the close-knit nature of the area, including:

Mounts
Hise
Jones
Brown
Bryant
Cooley
Richardson
Smith
Powell
Inman

These families were often interconnected through marriage, land, and shared community life. Their presence within the cemetery tells the story of Franklin not as a single moment in time, but as a continuous, evolving community.

Modern Stewardship & Continued Care

Today, Franklin Cemetery remains an active and meaningful part of the community.

Efforts to maintain and preserve the cemetery focus on:

Keeping the grounds clean and respectful
Protecting historic markers
Documenting burial records
Encouraging community involvement

Volunteers and local support play an important role in ensuring that the cemetery continues to reflect the dignity and history it represents.

Aging, Weathering, and Preservation Challenges

As with many historic cemeteries, time has left its mark on Franklin Cemetery.

Older headstones—particularly those made from softer materials—have experienced:

Weathering from rain and exposure
Biological growth such as moss and lichen
Fading or loss of inscriptions
Occasional structural damage

In some cases, markers have become difficult to read, and portions of the historical record may be incomplete.

These challenges are not unique to Franklin Cemetery, but they highlight the importance of ongoing care, documentation, and preservation.

A Living Record of Franklin’s History

Franklin Cemetery stands as more than a burial ground.

It is a living historical record—one that preserves:

The names of those who came before
The story of a rural Oregon community
The connection between past and present

From its establishment in 1897 to today, the cemetery continues to serve as a place of remembrance, reflection, and continuity.

Through ongoing care and respect, Franklin Cemetery remains a lasting tribute to the families who built this community—and a place where their legacy endures.

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