'Less traffic, more nature, more house' in Franklin
Franklin glows, and not only because history emanates from this exurb less than 90 minutes outside New York City. Here in the “Florescent Mineral Capital of the World,” glowing rocks are a point of civic pride, whether they show up at the Franklin Mineral Museum or The Sterling Hill Mining Museum, a former zinc mine. Still, in this Sussex County town originally named after Founding Father Benjamin Franklin, semi-rural lifestyles prevail. “Franklin is a quieter place,” says George Perrone, a Realtor with Century 21 Realty. “It’s not filled with hectic activity.”
Most of the community's population boom occurred at the turn of the 20th century, when Franklin went from 500 to 3,000 residents. There hasn’t been as much of a dramatic growth spurt since then, and over a century later, there are about 5,000 people who live here. The median age is 50. "Out here it’s more relaxed,” says Juliet Lopez, a real estate agent with Keller Williams Integrity. “Less traffic, more nature, more house for your money. Plus, Route 23 makes for an easy commute to New York.”
Welcome to Franklin Borough, NJ, the fluorescent mineral capital of the world.
Franklin is a historic exurb with a tight-knit community about 45 miles from New York City.
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Historic ranch-style homes, plus split levels and colonials from the 1980s
Houses in Franklin have a contemporary look, even though they aren’t so recently built as the 2020s or even the 2000s. Some of them are midcentury vintage, while others are from the 80s. And yet others have more historic importance. “You’re going to see older homes from the early 20th century,” says Perrone. “Miners used to live in them. They’re fixed up ranches today.” These ranch-style homes can be anywhere from one- to three-bedroom properties, and they sell between $250,000 to $390,000. Split levels and colonials sell between $400,000 to $625,000. Ranging from three to four bedrooms, these properties are typically set on expansive lots that can reach up to an acre or more. Regardless of the type of house chosen here, homebuyers can expect to have a lawn with trees. The median home price is around $335,000.
Traditionally a farming community, Franklin boomed during the early 20th century.
Home prices in the Franklin, NJ area can range from $250,000 to $625,000.
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Extracurriculars at Walkill Valley Regional High
Students can begin at Franklin Elementary School, which earns an overall B-minus from Niche as well as an A in the teachers category. Nearly 500 students attend this school for kindergarten through eighth grade, and there’s a 9-to-1 student-teacher ratio. Wallkill Valley Regional High also earns a B-minus. Extracurriculars include everything from Math Club to Future Business Leaders of America.
Franklin's Wallkill Valley Regional High received an overall Niche grade of B-minus.
Franklin Elementary School in Franklin, NJ has a student-teacher ratio of 10 to 1.
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Route 23 is for commuting and running errands
State Route 23 is the community’s most important corridor. It runs along the east end, leading further north into Sussex County and due east toward New York City. It takes a little over an hour to reach Manhattan. As Route 23 veers east away from the town near Franklin Pond, it intersects with county Route 517 – another egress road. This is a rural exurb, so owning a car is essential. Franklin is a somewhat rectangular borough, so even the residential streets tend to be elongated corridors running north to south. Streets have nature-themed names like Woodland Road, Wildcat Road and Buckwheat Road.
For a small town, Franklin has a very wide selection of stand out restaurants and retailers.
The Skylands Connect local bus service links Franklin with the towns of Newton and Wantage.
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The Quarry Grill serves traditional American food in a modern farmhouse setting
Franklin’s dining and retail scene is located on Route 23. Strip malls bring these amenities together, such as the one near Mitchell Avenue and Route 23: It has a ShopRite grocery store plus Chinese food, Italian food and a pizzeria. Next door is a Walmart and a Walgreens. Weis Markets is also nearby.
While Italian cuisine is pervasive in Franklin, there’s also a Mexican and Latin American element to the dining scene. Traditional American food also shows up, especially at The Quarry Grill, where burgers, fries and hot dogs are on the menu. The décor inside is neo-rustic and modern farmhouse in style. Fast food eateries and other conveniences like Dollar Tree, banks, furniture stores and auto shops fill in the gaps along Route 23.
The Quarry Grill in Franklin, NJ serves list-topping, artery choking burgers and milkshakes.
Angelo's Franklin Diner is an exceptional local food spot that every NJ town wishes it had.
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Fishing and boating at Franklin Boro Park
Franklin Boro Park offers fun on land and water. Visitors can wander the open green space or enjoy the playground equipment. Fishing, boating and kayaking is permitted on Franklin Pond. Black Bear Golf Club is part of Crystal Springs Resort, and offers driving ranges in addition to an 18-hole course that overlooks a mountain range. For a shorter game, players can go to the nine-hole course at Wallkill Country Club.
The Franklin Mineral Museum sits at the site of a formerly active mine. Fossils, florescent minerals and a reproduction mine are part of the experience. The Sterling Hill Mining Museum was the last working underground mine in the state when it closed in 1986. It too has florescent minerals as well as zinc ore from the original mine.
Franklin Boro Park is a popular spot for dog walking and birdwatching in Franklin, NJ.
Woodbourne Park's excellent pickleball courts are a big attraction for Franklin residents.
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