From a Dirt Road to a Destination: A History of Franklin Street

Posted Apr 24, 2026
In Chapel Hill, Franklin Street has been the main thoroughfare for decades and a must-see destination. When residents welcome guests to town, they take them to eat on Franklin Street. When people want to celebrate a major sports victory, they gather on Franklin Street. When locals talk about “Downtown Chapel Hill,” they are referring to Franklin Street. (Glen Lennox)

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