Franklin, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin

On December 20, 1839, the south portion of the Town of Kinnikinick was split off to form the town of Franklin. The town consisted of a 36-square-mile area that was originally covered with heavy timber, which was mostly hardwoods such as hickory, walnut, and butternut. Most of the town's drainage was delivered by the Root River and there was an abundance of wildlife including bears, deer, and wolves.[4] As of the 1840 census, the population of the Town of Franklin was 248.[5] The name "Franklin" was given in homage to Benjamin Franklin.

By the 1950s, Franklin was known as a "City of Homes" for its growing residential areas, which served as a suburb of the city of Milwaukee. In 1956, town officials were concerned by the possibility that the city of Milwaukee might attempt to annex portions of Franklin. In response, the town was incorporated as a fourth-class city on August 15, 1956.

Franklin is located at 42°53′57″N 88°00′08″W (42.899166, −88.002204).[6] It is bounded by the city of Oak Creek to the east, the villages of Greendale and Hales Corners and the city of Greenfield to the north, the county of Racine to the south, and the county of Waukesha to the west.[7]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 34.69 square miles (89.85 km²), of which, 34.58 square miles (89.56 km²) is land and 0.11 square miles (0.28 km²) is water.[8]

The Root River runs south through Franklin, cutting the city in half.

Root River Valley

Franklin City Hall

Franklin government consists of a mayor (executive branch), a common council (legislative branch), and a municipal judge (judicial branch). The Common Council's primary purpose is the passage of laws, ordinances and policies, establishment of pay ranges for city employees and management of the city's financial affairs; its budget, its revenues, and the raising of funds for the operation of the city. The Common Council is composed of the mayor and six members representing the six aldermanic districts, serving three-year overlapping terms. One alderman is elected and serves as common council president.[12]

Franklin Police and Municipal Court

The mayor of the city, elected for a three-year term of office, is the chief executive officer of the city. The mayor is responsible for ensuring that city ordinances and state laws are observed and enforced, and that city officers, boards and commissions properly discharge their duties. The mayor oversees the police and fire departments; nominates the appointment of certain city employees, board and commission members to the council; and is chairman of the Plan Commission and the Community Development Authority. The mayor presides at meetings of the Common Council, voting only in cases if tie votes. City ordinances designate eight cabinet officers, as well as other unclassified positions within city government, that are appointed by the mayor subject to the confirmation by a majority of all members of the common council.[13] Mayor Steve Olson was re-elected in April, 2020 for a third three year term.[14]

Franklin is four miles (6 km) from Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport and close to Interstate 94. Running through the city are U.S. Highway 45, and WIS 36, WIS 100, and WIS 241.

Fadrowski Drum Disposal EPA Superfund Site with Dental Associates facility in background

Franklin is home to one of the Environmental Protection Agency's Superfund sites. Referred to as the "Fadrowski Drum Disposal Site",[17] or FDDS, the 40-acre (160,000 m²) site located at 42°55′14″N 87°57′10″W 6865 South 27th Street was found to be contaminated with high amounts of lead and chromium. Trace amounts of arsenic and DDT were also found.[18] The site also contains levels of mercury above Wisconsin enforcement standards.[19] The site once included a man-made pond with elevated cyanide levels. The site was placed on the National Priorities List in 1986, with remedial action (RA) completed in 1994. The site was deleted from the National Priorities List in 2003.[20] The site remedies included restricting access to the site, restricting use of land at the site, limited excavation of the waste (some drums), removal of hazardous soil, monitoring ground water, monitoring surface water, and installing a landfill cap.[21] The site has been largely remediated via landfill and limited excavation, however waste material above health-based levels was left on site.[22]

The site is currently under a monitoring status, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reviewing the site every five years.[23] The site is now encircled by development. It is bordered on the north by a Hobby Lobby, a tributary that flows into the Root River, and South 27th Street. The southern boundary of the site is lined with a Goodwill Industries retail store. Residential properties are just 1,000 feet (300 m) west of the site and 600 feet (180 m) to the south. A Walmart is just 600 feet (180 m) north of the site. The site itself is prohibited from ever being used for potable water, residential development, or any development that would disturb the landfill cap.

In July 2007, CNN/Money and Money magazine ranked Franklin the 90th best place to live in the United States.[24]

• Peter Doyle, Wisconsin Secretary of State
• Michael Egan, state senator and representative
• Sam Mayer, racing driver
• Scott Mayer, racing driver
• Ted Musgrave, NASCAR driver
• Bill Prietzel, racing driver nicknamed the "Franklin Flyer"
• Jessie Rodriguez, advocate and politician
• Ken Skowronski, Wisconsin State Representative

• City of Franklin