In this February 1987 photo, Doris Cook of rural Franklin leaves Newkirk’s Fashion Shoppe on West Jefferson Street in Franklin.
Daily Journal Archive Photo
News from around Johnson County as reported on Feb. 23 in the pages of the Daily Journal and the Franklin Evening Star from the last 111 years.
On this day in 1987, the main story on the front page of the Daily Journal asked a question: “Has the sun set on downtown Franklin?”
Following active growth of business along north U.S. 31 in the city, combined with the impact of Greenwood’s retail businesses, Franklin’s downtown had become a concern to city officials, merchants and preservationists. The three groups began pushing for a revitalization effort, and even formed a committee to steer it.
The group was not anything new though, as officials had discussed the idea for years. It was a continuation of what was already going on, city planning director Richard Pool said.
Eric Utz, the director of the Indianapolis office of the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana, said the city was at a crossroads.
“Because of its historic character, the town has an opportunity to be a vanguard,” Utz said. “We have to take the chance now and develop something for the future. If we don’t do something now we may not have anything left downtown that’s going to attract people.”
There were some people who questioned the revitalization effort, saying the downtown area had already taken off.
“Some individuals have made some great efforts down here already and I think it’s spreading,” optometrist Linda Frechette said in an accompanying story.
Using a 1984 study that analyzed the downtown area’s needs, some people said the city had already met some of the goals for the study, including unified themes for architectural improvements and the promotion of outdoor events around the courthouse.
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Other memorable Johnson County stories from this day
1987
A Whiteland volunteer firefighter was being praised after saving the life of a choking 3-month-old puppy by performing CPR.
1970
Three 17-year-olds were taken into custody in Edinburg after police said they were seen sniffing glue in plastic bags.
1960
Burglars escaped with only $19 in a break-in at Nineveh School that caused an estimated $750 in damage.
