Franklin House - beginning in 1905 it was a small resort with accomodation for 40 guests . It was operated for 35 years by William and Elizabeth Franklin, a son and daughter of the pioneer John Franklin.In 1940 it was sold to George Robertshaw of Oshawa. It was bought in 1985 by Andy and Jutta Fisher and is known today as Silver Pines Resort with year round cottage accomodation.

John Franklin , was born in England on Dec 25th, 1828. He married Annie Kellam and came to Canada in 1863. They had eleven children, three born in Canada.

Living in Orillia , he worked at his trade of stone mason . In 1876 he purchased property on the north shore of Sparrow Lake and became a pioneer farmer raising sheep and keeping horses. In winter he would take his team into logging camps, likely W.P. Christie lumber company. John died in 1917, aged 89 years.