Franktown, Colorado

A Brief History of Franktown

Franktown’s roots lie in the stagecoach settlements associated with James Frank Gardner. Frankstown became Douglas County’s first county seat when the territorial legislature created the county in 1861. In 1864 Gardner bought California Ranch, south of the original settlement, and developed a hotel, post office, general store and stage-line office there. The ranch became an important stop on the Santa Fe–Denver stage route. This history of travel, lodging and county government helped shape the community now known as Franktown, which remains an unincorporated community in Douglas County.