The Factory at Franklin Celebrates 95 Years

Construction began ninety-five years ago at 230 Franklin Road, kick-starting an industrial journey that shaped the economic and cultural landscape of our town. When its industrial era quietly drew to a close in the early 1990s, this twenty-acre plant found new life thanks to the creativity and determination of a local visionary, evolving into a community hub that has given Franklin families and visitors a unique space to enjoy our small-town charm.

First constructed in 1929 by Allen Manufacturing Company, a Nashville-based stove works, it wasn’t just the allure of Franklin’s sprawling countryside, convenient railroad access, and untapped workforce that brought Allen south –it was the citizens of Franklin who sealed the deal. Together, they raised enough money to help finance the construction of the new plant, establishing a unique relationship between our small town and its industrial powerhouse.

Over the next six decades, stove makers Allen Manufacturing Company, Dortch Stove Works and Magic Chef Inc., along with The Factory’s final manufacturer, Jamison Bedding Company, consistently employed the highest number of people in Franklin and Williamson County, including during the Great Depression.

Near the end of The Factory’s industrial era, when Jamison Bedding Company decided to move out, Franklin citizens rose to the occasion once more, saving the campus from ruin. Calvin and Marilyn LeHew, well known for their efforts to preserve and champion Franklin’s historic character, recognized the potential in this run-down former plant. Putting everything on the line, they revived The Factory and transformed it into a vibrant living room for neighbors and visitors alike, showcasing Franklin’s character through local shops and restaurants, artistic experiences and community events.

Now under new ownership once again, Holladay purchased the property in October 2021 for $56M and began a comprehensive construction project in June 2022, for what the current owners believe will be a national model for adaptive re-use of early 20th Century industrial structures.

Today, beloved long-term tenants welcome eager new faces to the family, and welcome guests to a new era, celebrating all that The Factory at Franklin is and has to offer.