New home for Confederate marker planned
Proposed spot on private property in Franklin city limits.
FRANKLIN TWP. — It may be a few more months before a 90-year-old Confederate marker is back on public display.
Franklin Twp. trustees President Brian Morris told this news outlet that attorneys are working out the details between the United Daughters of the Confederacy Ohio Division and the Franklin Fraternal Order of Eagles to put the marker on the Eagles’ property on North Dixie Highway, which will be inside the Franklin city limits.
The five-ton stone marker honors Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee and the Dixie Highway. It is one of many the United Daughters of Confederacy erected around the nation.
While the township is not a party to the proposed agreement, Morris has facilitated relocating the controversial marker to the proposed new location.
“It will be done in the coming months,” Morris said. “We have a local contractor who has agreed to install the monument at no cost to the township.”
Morris announced in mid-October that an arrangement was being worked out with the Eagles lodge at 1075 N. Dixie Highway. He said the new location would be better because it would be on private property and have security lights and cameras. Morris said he hoped agreement would be for 100 years.
The marker has been a source of controversy since August when the city of Franklin removed it from the corner of South Dixie Highway and Hamilton-Middletown Road. City officials said the monument was removed because it was within the right of way of Dixie Highway.
After it was determined that Franklin Twp. owned the marker, the city of Franklin returned it to the township after it was repaired due to damage to the marker’s plaque by the city crew during the move.
The removal prompted public outcry and residents were insisting that it be placed back to its original location or at least allow residents to vote on the matter.