The story of Franklin County is one of remarkable change and growth over the past 250 years. From its Native American roots, this corner of the eastern Piedmont has become a center for tobacco plantations, textile mills and cotton cultivation. It has seen seminal moments in the history of public education, Methodism and even capital punishment. One governor called Louisburg home, while several more have visited and even presidents have made brief stops. Local historian Eric Medlin narrates...

During the twentieth century, three industries—tobacco, textiles, and furniture—dominated the economy of North Carolina. The first two are well known and documented, being the subject of numerous books, movies, and articles. In contrast, the furniture industry has been mostly ignored by historians, although, at its height, it was nearly as large and influential as these other two concerns. Furniture companies employed thousands of workers and shaped towns, culture, and local life from Hick...