The four buildings located in Lion’s Legend Park that make up the Franklin Historical Society Complex are a permanent reminder of the pioneer heritage of this area. The complex consists of the Whelan School, the Town of Franklin Town Hall, St. Peter’s Chapel, and the Sheehan-Godsell Cabin.

The Whelan School: The original school, constructed in 1852 was 24 ft. long and 18 ft. wide. By 1877, a new building was authorized to be built. The school was purchased by the Franklin Historical Society in 1969 and moved from its original site on Hwy. 100 and Puetz Road to Lion’s Legend Park. It serves the community as a living museum of a one-room rural school in Franklin’s pioneer past.

The Franklin Town Hall is a symbol of the form of government which was common in the early days of this country. In 1884, following many years when homes and other buildings were used for meetings, a Town Hall was constructed. By 1856, when Franklin became a city, the building no longer was used for meetings but housed the Engineering Department, then the Police Department, and finally the Justice Court until 1970. The structure was moved in 1975 by the Bicentennial Commission to Lion’s Legend Park where it is now a museum.

St. Peter’s Chapel was built in 1869 on South 68th Street just north of Loomis Road. In its early years a Lutheran school held its classes in the chapel, while the pastor who served as the teacher lived on the second floor.

The Sheehan-Godsell Cabin was built in 1836 by Michael Sheehan and his brother Patrick who came to Franklin from County Cork, Ireland. By the 1850s, a two-story addition had been built. In 1851, when Michael was killed by a beam while helping build Holy Assumption Church, Patrick bought his brother’s share from his heirs. He in turn, sold the cabin to his sons William and Dennis in 1869.

Michael Godsell bought the farm in 1920 and lived there with his family until 1967. The farm was then sold and the land was subdivided. The cabin was moved by the Bicentennial Commission to its present site in 1975.