Franklin Township is located in Houghton County in Michigan’s western Upper Peninsula.  The townships of Hancock and Quincy border Franklin Township on the west side. Calumet Township borders it to the north, while Osceola Township occupies the adjacent land to the north and east. The Southern border of Franklin Township is formed by Portage Lake. The total land area for the township is 20.7 square miles. Steep hillsides, water and abundant forestlands create dramatic scenery throughout the area. 

Like many other parts of Houghton and Keweenaw Counties, the late 1800’s brought abundant populations to the area for the mining of copper. Located over the central spine of the Keweenaw Peninsula’s copper seam, Franklin Township exhibits many of the scars and much of the resurrected evidence that helped make it home to one of the world’s greatest copper booms. 

Eventually, the depletion of copper led to the decline of area population. Today, tourism is a major contributor to the area’s economy. Traditionally a summer destination, the Copper Country and Keweenaw Peninsula are drawing more cross-country skiers and snowmobile enthusiasts each year because of the abundant snow fall, excellent trail systems and the character and flavor of the area. 

Franklin Township is showing signs of growth in recent years. New homes and businesses are being constructed throughout the rural areas of the township, particularly along the steep hillside overlooking the Keweenaw Waterway and Portage Lake. New infrastructure has been developed to support the growth in the area by adding water, sewer and natural gas lines. A new fire hall was built in 2013 for Quincy-Franklin which serves Precincts 1 & 4. The Ripley Fire Hall and Fire Station, constructed in 1996, serves the residents of Precinct 2. A new township office was built in 2015 to better serve the community.