The idea of a memorial hall was first muted in 1919, following the First World War, in which five local men, Oscar Kerr, Frank Barker, William McMartin, Russell Robinson and Ernest Attwood, lost their lives. The Franklin Community Association Ltd. was incorporated in 1919, with the aim to build the hall.
On August 9, 1919, an agreement was drawn up between William Wylie of Minnedosa, Manitoba and the Franklin Community Hall Association to build the Franklin Memorial Hall. For $7,500, William built the hall using Number 1 Fir structure lumber, Canadian Maple for the dance floor, Portage La Prairie snider veneer bricks filled with best quality lime and sand mortar, and angle iron over the arches to prevent sagging.
The hall opened in the spring of 1920 with Mr. Aikens, The Lieutenant Governor General of Manitoba cut the ribbon at the official opening. It became the center of social life in Franklin and holds memories for those who trained for air combat in the Second World War. Airmen trained in the Towns of Neepawa and Rivers and came to the Franklin Memorial Hall to attend dances.
In 2012, it became a municipally-designated heritage building. The hall has had many renovations over the years and continues to be used by the community. The cenotaph is located in front of the building.
