Come for a visit!
New Franklin is home to many wonderful historical sites and landmarks. This quaint town offers much to see and do and fun for the whole family! Stop by the South Howard County Historical Museum and learn about the rich history of the town. Take a walk down the Katy Trail. Stop for a "Snoddy Burger" for lunch and spend the night at the Katy Roundhouse Campground. Join us at one of our many annual festivals and community events!
Parks and Recreation
The Katy Trail
The Katy Trail is a 237 mile trail stretching across most of the state of Missouri. Formerly the MKT rail line, it is flat and scenic and ideal for hiking, running, or cycling. The Katy Trail runs through New Franklin.
Katy Roundhouse
Campground
This 45-acre park at Katy Trail Marker #189, features full hookup RV spots and primitive campsites.
The City Park is located on Union Street and open from 9:00am – 10:00pm daily.The nine acre city party has two shelter houses, fishing pond with handicap access, softball/little league ballfield with bleachers, two outdoor restroom facililties, Kiddie playground, vintage playground with merry-go-round, teeter-totters, tractor tire, sand box, rope climb and swings. There are also regulation horseshoe pits, two tennis courts and basketball goals.
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Community Building Rental:
A large rental hall (the Community Building) which holds 200 people has a full kitchen, restrooms, a/c, 20 tables seating 6 to 10 each, and chairs. The Community Building rents for $100.00 with a $100.00 refundable deposit if no damages. Please contact Shelly Shackelford, Utility Office Clerk, by email nfcitycollector@gmail.com, phone (660) 848-2288, or visit City Hall, 130 E Broadway from 8:00am – 4:00pm, for reservations.
City Park
Historical Sites
South Howard County
Historical Society
The museum will be open each Saturday, April through October, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Open by appointment all other times. For more information please call: 573-673-3157 or 660-848-2880.
"The Rock"
In the center of Broadway are area information kiosk's that surround "The Rock" placed there by the DAR in 1909 marking the beginning of the Santa Fe Trail.
Thomas Hickman House
Where the Katy Trail State Park crosses Route 5, you will find the Franklin, Mother of the Santa Fe Trail monument. These five granite stones depict William Becknell (father of the Santa Fe Trail), Josiah Gregg, Kit Carson, Ezekiel Williams, Millie Cooper and George Caleb Bingham, who all lived in the historic town of nearby Franklin.
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Santa Fe Trail Monument
Missouri Intelligencer
Monument
West on Highway 87 you will see markers honoring the former town of Franklin. It was the location of the Missouri Intelligencer the first newspaper west of the Mississippi River, and home of many other "firsts" in the Boonslick Region.
The Thomas Hickman House is a one-and-one half story brick house located on the University of Missouri Horticulture and Agroforestry Center in New Franklin, Missouri. This Georgian-style cottage was constructed for the every Howard County merchant Thomas Hickman and is one of the oldest houses in Howard County.