Franklin Times Building (1 Roulston Street)

The first newspaper in Franklin dates to 1912, started by Richard Earnes and William Cargill. Printing was done manually and the available equipment could not satisfy the high demand. The Pukekohe and Waiuku Times ran from 1912 to 1919, changing its name to Franklin and Pukekohe Times, and then finally the Franklin Times. This name was kept until the end of publication in 1971, when it came under the South Auckland Courier.

The Franklin Printing Company was founded in 1914. Next year, it purchased a site on Hall (now Roulston) Street and hired L.C.A. Potter to design the current structure. Potter had previously designed the nearby Franklin County Council building. The publishing house has a classical frontage and very elongated shape, most of it built in brick. The front part of the building with the protruding chimney is original, while the long extension behind was added later.

In 1981, the building became the Pukekohe Youth Centre and continues to serve in that capacity. The building was damaged by a fire in the 1990s, but has since been restored to its original state.

Return to King Street and turn right.