A Visit to Franktown (Beckwith) – The Lilac Capital of Ontario
Little more then a stop off south of Carleton Place in Eastern Ontario, Franktown is but one of many decaying tiny hamlets littered with historical artifacts. I wont lie to you, there is not much to do here but it is a very enjoyable place to visit!
Table of Contents
Exploring Franktown
St. James Anglican Church and the History of Beckwith
The most impressive monument of the towns past is this spooky stone church. A historic marker in front of the church explains the early foundations of Beckwith Parish and Franktown itself. The township of Beckwith was surveyed in 1817 and quickly populated by British military veterans and emigrants. The church itself was constructed in 1828 and it one of the oldest remaining in Eastern Ontario. Franktown was the second city of the county and although it never grew to the size of Carleton Place, it retained a religious importance. This is due to the fact that Franktown held the Parish seat and presided over many of the surrounding centers including Carleton Place, Parkenham and Smith Falls.
Franktown Lilac Festival (Lilac Lane)
Every spring, in late may, the hamlet celebrates its Lolac festival. The focul point of these celebrations is a gravel lane suronded by Lilac bushes called Lilac Lane. Here, one can take a wagon ride amongst the flowers. For more information check out the Lanark County tourism website here.
Highway 15 and St. Paul’s Church
On highway 15, entering town, you will find a handful of interesting buildings including an old log cabin, a two story stone house and a converted church.
That church is that of St. Paul United Church and it is now a beautiful antique shop. The 1902 building is known for its striking tower. It was designed by Moses Chamberlain Edey, a famous Ottawa architect who designed the Aberdeen Pavilion in the same city’s Lansdowne Park.
