Franklin Automobile Plant 1937 Syracuse, NY

[Walt G]

When the Franklin automobile company ceased operations in 1934 the huge masonry factory was left vacant. In 1937 a semi revitalization of Syracuse was taking place and a large paper photo booklet was issued to tout the efforts of what the city was doing. This photo of the Franklin plant noted that the main unit of the former Franklin plant was back in use for the Carrier Corporation.  What you see at the bottom of the photo is the face of the building with the main entrance at center. The smokestack at the top left was near the power plant which was fueled by coal and rail road tracks went into the property to allow coal cars to deposit their loads.

I was fortunate enough to be able to tour the vacant buildings in the early 1970s before a lot of it was demolished. The factory was built on a swampy area and as part of the foundation to act as pillars to support the main lower floor trees were used - their trunks that were at least 30 inches in diameter. They still were there and did that in the 1970s when we also explored the basement area. Quite a structure. It would make a good story . We spent hours in the place walking around every floor at the front half while the rear buildings that were next to a cemetery were in the process of being torn down.

Another story that needs to be told.

[1937hd45]

Air cooled Franklin to Carrier Air conditioning, interesting. 

Edited January 28, 2022 by 1937hd45 (see edit history)

[zepher]

Franklins are on my list of underappreciated cars from the pre-war era.

[ted sweet]

and now carier isnt in syracuse

[Walt G]

Carrier isn't in Syracuse nor are the factory buildings , replaced by a school I believe.