Spanish-American War Memorial
Among the memorials on the Franklin town common, ist his mounted naval style gun and plaque commemorating Franklin residents who served in the Spanish-American War of 1898. The gun is a direct physical reminder of how warfare was changing at the turn of the twentieth century, when modern naval power began reshaping America’s role in the world.
The plague honors “the men of Franklin who volunteered to serve in the war against Spain and Cuba.” It references key elements of the conflict, including the sinking of the USS Maine and the Battle of San Juan Heights and then lists the names of the local men who served during this brief war.
The Spanish-American War marked an important turning point in American history. The United States emerged as an international power with military involvement extending beyond the mainland into Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines. Even in a small town like Franklin, local men answered the call to serve in a conflict taking place far from home.
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Benjamin Franklin Statue
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St. Mary’s Catholic Church
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