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Article: The State That Never Was; North Carolina, South Carolina, Franklin . . . Franklin? In Tennessee, a Peek Into America's Colonial Past
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- September 19, 1993
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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In the thin gray light before dawn, the passenger cars stretched
endlessly behind steam engine Southern Mikado 4501, which panted like
an overheated dragon. I waited eagerly for the conductor's "All
aboard!" and at 7:30 sharp we pulled out of the station.
It seemed only appropriate to begin exploring the historical
oddity called the Lost State of Franklin via another bit of history -
in this case, a daylong steam train excursion sponsored last spring
by a friendly group of train buffs. From Johnson City, Tenn., to
Asheville, N.C., and back again - a 280-mile round trip - I got to
see much of what nearly became America's 14th state, the State of
Franklin.
This territory in the mountainous ...