Cotton + Corn + Catfish + Computers
=Agriculture in Franklin Parish

Franklin Parish Beginnings

    Franklin Parish was established on March 1, 1843, and named after the great American, Benjamin Franklin. Franklin Parish was created from parts of three neighboring parishes, Catahoula, Ouachita, and Madison. John Winn, state senator, was instrumental in getting a bill passed that created the political subdivision. The first courthouse was built in 1847 and was located near the southeast corner of the present courthouse square. Winnsboro was and is the parish seat. Other communities at that time included: Wisner, Gilbert, Baskin, Crowville, Fort Necessity and Chase. Franklin Parish today, has a population of 22,387. Main crops include cotton, soybeans and livestock. Winnsboro is a Mainstreet City, one of only seven in the state, and many of the downtown historic buildings, including the library, have been revitalized. The local V.F. W. Post began a flag program in 1987 and now flies over 280 flags on special holidays and events. Governor Buddy Roemer declared Winnsboro "The Stars and Stripes Capital of Louisiana" in 1991. These and other efforts helped make Winnsboro a National Winner in "Take Pride in America" in 1989.
    Franklin Parish is home of the "Catfish Festival" held in Winnsboro in April of each year. The festival brings arts, crafts, entertainment and, of course, catfish to Franklin Parish.  Attendance at the festival has grown steadily over its 10 year history. Approximately 38,000 people attended in 1996.

  Geography and Statistics



Our population is 22387 people in 8719 households.
The land area is 623.4 square miles (398990 acres); the water area is 12.1square miles (7719 acres).
Franklin Parish is located at latitude 32.14 degrees North, longitude 91.67 degrees West.

This project was developed in the (TL)2 Institute held by the Louisiana State Department of Education in Baton Rouge.

July 27-August 1, 1998