The Edward J. Franta Papers consists primarily of a scrapbook documenting his time at the University of North Dakota between 1923 and 1927.

The scrapbook begins with a few pages of entries made by friends. The information collected from each individual includes the following: the date, hometown, nickname, birthday, ambition, "happy thoughts" and photograph. The first entry in this section was made in 1923 and the last one was made in 1926.

A majority of the scrapbook contains photographs and newspaper articles about UND athletics, fraternities, sororities and Franta's involvement at UND. The articles are taken primarily from the Dakota Daily Student and Grand Forks Herald, although articles from other newspapers are included. Specific information included about UND's athletic and intramural sports teams are game summaries, player profiles and photographs of individuals or teams. Additional articles focus on the events and activities taking place at the fraternities and sororities on campus, such as their meetings, elections, socials and other general information. Other articles center on Franta's achievement and involvements at UND.

A portion of the scrapbook includes newspaper articles, photographs and a certificate of completion from the advanced infantry training that Franta completed at Camp Snelling in July of 1926.

Also included in the collection are copies of articles published in the Alumni Review, Cavalier County Republican and Who's Who about Franta.