Franklin

Washington's ghost towns are mill towns and mining camps in country so green the forest is already taking them back.

Franklin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, its population was 96,749, and was estimated to be 102,612 in 2025. The county seat and largest city is Pasco. The county was formed out of Whitman County on November 28, 1883, and is named for Benjamin Franklin. Franklin County is included in the Tri-Cities metropolitan area. Together, Kennewick, Richland and Pasco comprise Washington's Tri-Cities.

The on-the-ground condition of Franklin is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.

Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.

Here's the honest truth: access to Franklin is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times.

Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.