The Mysterious Lost State of Franklin
Project Director: Buck Kahler
Producer: Chris Albrecht
Graphics and Animation: Dan Williams
Website: www.loststatefilm.com
At the end of the American Revolution, frontier settlers beyond the Appalachian Mountains founded their own government. They named their new territory: The State of Franklin. This controversial government lasted for four years between 1784 and 1788. But this was no Camelot, no Shangri-La; Franklin's Constitution was written in blood. Its citizens, once united against the British Crown, now found themselves divided against one another.
Two men would decide the fate of the State of Franklin. John Sevier, the Governor of Franklin, was a charismatic hero of the Revolution. He was also a ruthless land-speculator, obsessed with Westward expansion, who would see his dream realized at any cost. John Tipton, a wealthy land-owner himself, originally supported Franklin's independence, but as the new government led to chaos, he vowed to bring an end to the fledgling state and rejoin North Carolina. Opposing Sevier at every turn, Tipton began a feud that would tear the region apart. The Mysterious Lost State of Franklin will reveal the truth behind this legendary rebellion. We'll discover the reasons Franklin came into being and uncover the mystery of how we lost our 14th state!