FRANKLIN — In the 1800s, West Franklin was just “Franklin”, and east of the Pemigewasset River was “Franklin Falls” (named for the multiple “falls” created by the mills along the Winnipesaukee River).

Main Street was a flourishing business district, made even more so with the advent of the automobile, as Route 3 was the main road for tourists to access the White Mountains and Franklin retailers took full advantage. Gas stations, motels, the Daniel Webster Inn, souvenir shops, restaurants, all thrived.

Interstate 93 changed all that, channeling most tourist dollars to municipalities along the new highway, and signaling the beginning of an economic downturn to Franklin. In the 19th century horse-drawn carriages, (if one could afford such extravagance), horseback riding, or walking, were the modes of getting around locally. Everything residents needed was offered generally either along Main or Central Streets and were within reasonable walking distance. Either the mills, or businesses ancillary to the mills, were the economic engines for the city and its inhabitants.

Much has changed, as evidenced by the current photo from a few years ago. Even the building on the far left, standing from the 1850s, is now gone. West Franklin business presence is today dominated by Benson Auto, the oldest Chevy dealership in the United States (114 years!). This is made even more remarkable by being generationally passed down in the same family. The impact of the automobile, and its effect on the global landscape, could never be overstated.