The historic district is a residential neighborhood where most of the homes were built between the 1890s and 1930s. The neighborhood was built on farmland outside of the original borders of the town of Franklin. The earlier buildings in the district are mostly single-story frame construction in the Folk Victorian style, including some Queen Anne and Italianate details. Some homes from the 1920s and 1930s are built in the bungalow style. The 14-acre (5.7 ha) district listed on the National Register includes 37 contributing buildings and 16 non-contributing buildings.
The Adams Street historic district is one of five National Register historic districts in the city of Franklin. Four of these, including Adams Street, are also designated as local historic districts by city ordinance, making them subject to design review. Franklin has seven local historic districts.