The Franklinville Inn

History of the Franklinville Inn

In the late 1700's the nearest ocean resort to the first capital of our nation, Philadelphia, was Cape May, New Jersey. Cape May was an extremely popular resort, drawing aristocrats from many of the original colonies. Cape May was an 85 mile stagecoach ride from Philadelphia on what today is known as Delsea Drive, which stretches from the Delaware to the sea. When a coach reached Franklinville from Philadelphia, one-third of the trip was completed. On the return trip from Cape May, Franklinville was an exhaustive 56 mile journey. This Stagecoach Stop was there to offer warm hospitality to those early travelers.

So began the life of this little village situated on Reed's Branch, a part of the headwaters of the Maurice River. It consisted of the hotel at the Stagecoach Stop, a sawmill, three general stores, two churches and several dwellings. It was originally named "Little Ease" after an injured worker was brought into the hotel from the sawmill and asked how he could be comforted; He replied "a little ease".