For the homeowners who live on Martin Place in Franklin, a little hocus pocus is surely up their sleeves as Halloween approaches and the annual trick-or-treating takes place in town. Each year the residents of this neighborhood plot and plan out their ghoulish decorations and eerie costumes to delight those brave enough to tread the famed street on the city’s designated night of trick-or-treating in town.
For 39 years, Martin Place has continued to be the go-to street if you desire a spooky experience. Listed as a National Historic District, the area was developed between 1850 and 1935. The homes on the street include examples of Italianate, Queen Anne, American Four Square, and Bungalow/American Craftsman architecture. The area is rich in history. The first fair in Johnson County took place in a wooded area in 1838 that is now known as Martin Place.
You might say a festival-like atmosphere is present on this same historical piece of land on Halloween. Today, residents decorate their yards and porches as others do in October. On Martin Street though, they step it up a notch, not only trying to impress the visitors and neighbors, but also to challenge themselves to invent, create, build and design an even better display year after year.
The tradition began back in 1986 when the residents of 27 Martin Place, Duane and Rose Roberts, moved to Franklin. Duane came from a town where he remembered the holiday as an experience for young and old alike. He checked with his new neighbors and learned they just handed out treats and did not decorate or dress up. He decided that year he would dress up as a magician in a cape and hat, and perform tricks for those seeking treats. That first year, Rose estimated they had 50 trick-or-treaters. Their neighbors took notice. They saw the fun and delight of those watching the magic show.
The following year, six additional households participated by decorating their homes and yards. As people walked through the neighborhood, the word spread quickly that this was the place to be. That year was the beginning of a snowball effect that has grown over the years. Today nearly every house on Martin Place and several on North Main Street participate in the fun.
Back in 1987, Duane decided to move beyond a tame magician, so he built a huge metal cage complete with a screaming child and a man with a chainsaw. Unbeknownst to visitors, the cage front opened, and the man would step out onto the lawn for an even more terrifying experience. When asked if people ever complained to him about the fear factor, he laughed and said visitors want and expect to be frightened. Those who venture into Martin Place seek the thrills and chills.
Throughout the years, themes such as Beetlejuice, Frankenstein, giant spiders, graves uprooting, a realistic guillotine, witches and skeletons have lined the street. Fantastic special effects such as a fire-breathing dragon, giant gargoyles, a steaming cauldron surrounded by witches, and a ghost pacing an upstairs balcony please the thrill seekers.
In 2021 Christina Harney purchased the home at 161 North Main Street. Her house closing was held on Halloween day with advice from the previous owner to go buy at least 700 pieces of candy if she intended on handing treats out that evening. She purchased 1,000 pieces and ran out. Since then, she normally hands out one to two pieces of candy per person and finds herself today stashing away 1,500 pieces of candy to hand out to trick-or-treaters.
After that first year, she put her head together with two of her friends, Angela Morris and Bridget Weir. They decided to recreate the Sanderson sisters from Disney’s “Hocus Pocus” fame. They decided to order quality costumes and makeup. Not realizing that “Hocus Pocus 2” was to be released in late September of 2022, they found themselves the center of attention as the movie’s popular comeback hit a new generation of fans. Their depiction is so realistic that you may think you stepped onto a movie set. In 2023 they coaxed Weir’s husband, Nick, to portray Billy Butcherson, the zombie with his mouth sewn shut from the film. When asked if they plan on a “Hocus Pocus” comeback in 2024, Harney said they are definitely “upping their game” with secret additions for the Sanderson sisters display.
Duane Roberts said popularity and media attention backfired on the residents once. About 10 to 15 years ago, “The Bob and Tom Show” listed Martin Place as one of the top-three places to attend for a haunting good time. Roberts described it as a “sea of people” and an overwhelming experience. Yards and plants became trampled upon. Out-of-towners arrived by truckloads. Today those who live in this neighborhood enjoy a more toned-down local crowd to visit. Still, that toned down crowd amounts to over 1,000 princesses, pirates, superheroes and favorite characters who carry sacks and plastic buckets to reap their harvest of sweet treats. Rose Roberts said this will be year number 40 for them. She keeps track of the number of people who come to her door by knowing the number of pieces of candy she purchased, and gives one per person to calculate the number of children who pass through.
Well-known Franklin resident, the late Jack Wood, was instrumental in implementing safety measures for all children on this night. With the help of the Franklin Police Department, barricades are set up to block vehicle traffic during trick-or-treating hours.
Surprisingly, there is no organized neighborhood meeting beforehand. The Roberts say everyone just purchases their own sealed candy, and plans out their own themed display for their home and porch. The neighbors themselves are just as excited to see what the others produce each October.
What is in store for 2024? Assuredly, there will be jack-o’-lanterns, cobwebs, and a goblin or two. There will be candy treats and a trick or two as well. For those brave enough to venture into the Martin Place neighborhood this Halloween…have a spooktacular time!
Comments 3
I love Martin Place around Halloween. The house owners are so invested! They work so hard to make it fun for others.
Duane your started something incredible and always helped others. we sure enjoyed our 10 years of participating while we lived at 86 Martin Place.
This really sounds like an amazing event! Is it on the 31st for 2024?