Cheshire County Communities

Alstead is an attractive rural, primarily residential community located fifteen minutes from Interstate 91, and less than thirty minutes from four employment centers: Keene & Claremont, NH and Springfield and Bellows Falls, VT. Alstead has especially active community organizations, neighborhood schools through 8th grade, a full-time Police Department, and Volunteer Ambulance and Fire Departments. Since 1763 the three Village Centers have offered a great New England Community experience.

Chesterfield is a rural community located on the Connecticut River close to Interstate Route 91 with State Highways 9 and 63 providing easy access to neighboring towns and cities. Residents enjoy numerous outdoor activities including boating, fishing or swimming on Spofford Lake or the Connecticut River, hiking through Pisgah State Park or the Friedsam Town Forest, exploring Chesterfield Gorge, a noted geological site and climbing Wantastiquet Mountain. Chesterfield is between Brattleboro, VT and Keene with both communities offering easy access to shopping areas, fine restaurants, medical facilities and many cultural activities. Residents actively participate as volunteers in a variety of community activities such as: the new library, historical society, school and government, fire departments as well as various other civic and religious endeavors.

Dublin, one of highest towns in the state (elevation 1,493 feet), is on the dividing line between the Connecticut and Merrimack river watersheds. It was granted in 1749, settled in 1752 by Scotch-Irish families, and chartered in 1771. The town's scenic beauty is dominated by Mount Monadnock and Dublin Lake. Summer tourists started arriving in the 1840s; many members of New England's literary, intellectual and artistic society came to Dublin, including Mark Twain. In the late 19th century, an outstanding art colony gathered around Abbott H. Thayer, George de Forest Brush, Joseph Lindon Smith and others. Dublin was once a farming community and today is site of some of the most beautiful and elaborate estates in the region, and home of Yankee Magazine and the Old Farmer's Almanac.

Fitzwilliam is the "quintessential New England village" with the town common and surrounding 12 homes on the National Register for Historic Places. The 200-year-old Fitzwilliam Inn is a town landmark. Fitzwilliam is a country community within an easy 20-minute driving distance to Keene, the business center of southwestern NH. There are a wide variety of stores in our direct vicinity. While having some mid-sized manufacturing, most businesses are small and Fitzwilliam is well known for its large number of antique shops. Outdoor opportunities abound including mountain climbing, blueberry picking (both wild and cultivated), cross country skiing and snowmobiling, and year 'round country roads and trails for short walks and long hikes through the woods.

Gilsum was originally granted in 1752 under the name of Boyle. Its present name is said to have been created by uniting the surnames of two prominent proprietor families, Gilbert and Sumner, and came into use after the town was incorporated in 1763. Mining of feldspar and mica was a major industry here for many years. The annual Rock Swap draws large numbers of mineral collectors to visit mine sites and geologic locations such as Vessel Rock - a huge boulder and the largest glacial erratic in the region. A gem of a small town, Gilsum is nestled in the hills just north of Keene. The town embodies the look and feel of a classic NH village and holds some delightful wonders for those who choose to make it their home. Gilsumites are proud of their town's strong sense of community and welcome visitors at the world-renowned Rock Swap and annual Old Home Days.

Harrisville is Cheshire County's youngest town, incorporated in 1870 from parts of Dublin and Nelson. Settlement began as early as 1786, and woolen mills were established by members of the Twitchell family in about 1813. The growth of the Harris family's industry and the coming of the railroad influenced the creation of this town. It was named in honor of Milan Harris, whose several stone and brick mills made use of the abundant water power of three nearby lakes until 1970. Harrisville, a prototype of a rural New England factory village, is now a historic district. Many of its buildings are protected by Historic Harrisville Inc., and the picturesque village is a great favorite with artists.

Hinsdale, on the Connecticut River, contains excellent farmland but has also been a significant center of industry. It was here that thefirst settlement was made in Cheshire County before the end of the 17th century. The town's earliest history echoes with accounts of Indian assaults, raids and captivities. Hinsdale received its charter in 1753. It was named for Col. Ebenezer Hinsdale, a respected early resident who built a fort and gristmill here in 1742. Manufacturing has long been carried on here, and paper is one of this town's important products. In a machine shop here, George A. Long built a self-propelled steam vehicle in 1875, for which he received one of the nation's earliest automobile patents. Hinsdale Raceway greyhound racetrack is the only one of its kind in the region.

Jaffrey is located in the very heart of the Monadnock Region. Mt. Monadnock, one of the most climbed mountains in the world, is the Town's most popular attraction. With its three sparkling lakes, rolling countryside, and beautiful village greens, the Town is widely known as an outstanding vacation destination. Quality of life is a major reason why families and businesses call Jaffrey home. The Town is small enough to provide numerous outdoor recreational opportunities and a rural lifestyle, yet large enough to provide goods and services associated with bigger towns. Jaffrey was named Outstanding NH Main Street Community for 2001 by the NH Main Street Center.

Keene is a very hospitable and bustling city of 22,500 residents. A family-friendly place, there are many activities throughout the year to enjoy. Each year the Pumpkin Festival brings thousands to Keene's downtown. Other events that take place on an annual basis are the Tree Lighting Ceremony on Central Square, the New Year's Eve Celebration, the Ice and Snow Fest and many others. Keene has a thriving retail and industrial base, and many fine restaurants and eateries to enjoy. With an expansive public library, well-maintained parks, many wonderful hiking trails and bicycle paths, a good school system and a community minded local government, Keene is truly an excellent place to call home. The official Keene labor market area, covering southwestern NH, has a civilian labor force of about 44,000. At the start of the century, Keene produced automobiles. Its factories have also made chairs, hats, shoes, woolen blankets and countless other products. Today, there's no single dominant employer. The area hosts a wide variety of high-tech manufacturing, ball bearings, machine tools and printing technology, among other industries.

There are many places in Keene to soak up some culture. The KSC Redfern Arts Center on Brickyard Pond is one of several centers for the performing arts. A film society also screens movies in an unusually sophisticated theater that can show 70mm films. The nonprofit Colonial Theatre on Main Street offers movies, concerts and shows. Singers and musicians perform at a number of other places in and around Keene. If your interest is sports Keene offers a wide variety of spectator sports, and participatory activities covering nearly every level of physical challenge from a walk in a park to a white water kayak run.

For more information on the City of Keene, visit the City's web site at www.ci.keene.nh.us.

Marlborough, first called Monadnock No. 5, was granted in 1752 but was not settled until the Revolutionary War period. It was incorporated in 1776, taking its name from the Massachusetts community that was the home of its early settlers. There once was an important granite industry here. Stone from here was used in fine Boston buildings, at Holy Cross College in Worcester, MA., and locally. Blankets and woodenware, including toys, have been manufactured here. Today, Marlborough is a residential suburban community, a town of hills and beautiful vistas of Mount Monadnock. It attracts the attention of summer tourists and vacationers.

Marlow, named Addison in 1753, was renamed upon its incorporation in 1761. The Ashuelot River begins its southerly flow through Marlow and once produced power for small, family-owned industries in Marlow's early days. The beautifully restored Christmas Trees Inn greets those travelling north on Route 10, and the Tin Shop Pond and village center are among the most photographed scenes in New England. Wildlife abounds in the town's wooded setting. The residents of Marlow support their local societies and organizations, and the spirit of volunteerism ensures that by working together its citizens make things happen in this pastoral NH Town.

Nelson is a small village nestled in the western portion of the Monadnock Region. Its lakes and ponds provide a respite from the hustle and bustle of city life, with swimming, boating and fishing. Fewer than 700 people call Nelson home, so it has managed to retain the wonderful sense of a small town; yet the cultural and economic benefits of Keene and Peterborough are less than 20 minutes away.

Richmond was granted in 1735 as Sylvester-Canada, named for an Indian fighter, Capt. Joseph Sylvester of Scituate, Mass., who was killed in 1690 during an attempt to capture Quebec. At first it was part of MA. The boundary was changed by the king of England, placing the area in NH, and the area was regranted in 1752. It was renamed Richmond in honor of Charles Lennox, Duke of Richmond, a friend of then Gov. Benning Wentworth. Hosea Ballou lived in Richmond; he was a leader of 19th-century religious liberalism and is considered the father of Universalism in the United States. Eliza Ballou Garfield, mother of the 20th president of the United States, James A. Garfield, was born here. At the center of town, called Richmond Four Corners, is a brick Greek revival-style church built in 1837. The town has retained its quiet rural character while growing in popularity as a residential community. Since 1921, it has been home of the Cheshire County YMCA's Camp Takodah.

Rindge was granted in 1736 as Rowley-Canada, and in 1749 as Monadnock No. 1. Rindge was chartered in 1768 and renamed in honor of Daniel Rindge, a member of the NH Provincial Council. The 1796 Congregational church and meeting house in the village is one of the largest in northern New England. It became an educational center after Franklin Pierce College was established in 1962, and is renowned as home of the outdoor Cathedral of the Pines. Rindge is a fast-growing rural/residential community with limited commercial operations. There is a small-town atmosphere with the convenience of some major retailers. For the most part, Rindge is a bedroom cummunity with residents commuting to work at many locations throughout the region.

Roxbury was incorporated in 1812 from parts of Nelson, Keene and Marlborough, and is the smallest township in the County. Excellent-quality granite quarried in Roxbury was used widely locally and throughout the Northeast, including New York's state capitol in Albany. Roxbury quarries were once among the most extensive in the state. Joseph Ames, a celebrated artist and portrait painter, was born and raised here. So, too, was Isaac Woodward, a pioneer Boston piano manufacturer. Otter Brook Dam and reservoir were constructed in 1956-58 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as part of the Connecticut River Basin flood control projects on the Keene-Roxbury border.

Sullivan was chartered in 1787 from parts of Stoddard, Nelson, Keene and Gilsum. It was named in honor of a Revolutionary War general and state magistrate, John Sullivan of Durham. Near the village center is an 1848 church in Greek and Gothic revival style. The first Civil War monument in the state was built there in 1867. Although Sullivan has been principally an agricultural community through the years, a busy woodworking industry, tannery and grist mill once flourished in East Sullivan. That hamlet was once home of a celebrated brass band; the Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music has its headquarters in this section of the town today.

Surry, an agricultural town with good farmlands, was first settled in 1764 and incorporated in 1769 from parts of Gilsum and Westmoreland. It is named in honor of Sir Charles Howard, Earl of Surry. To the east of the village rises Surry Mountain, where for some years small amounts of mica, copper, lead, silver and gold could be found. Atop the mountain itself is Lily Pond, more than 700 feet above the village and in some places 80 feet deep. The extensive Surry Mountain Dam and reservoir are part of the Connecticut River flood control system.

Swanzey, opened for settlement in 1733, was originally called Lower Ashuelot. It was the site of many battles during the French and Indian wars. It received its charter and present name in 1753. Swanzey boasts four picturesque covered bridges and was the home of theatrical trouper Denman Thompson (1833-1911), who gained a national reputation by his portrayal of Yankee farmer Joshua Whitcomb, star of his stage play, "The Old Homestead." Swanzey residents reproduce Thompson's melodrama every summer at a natural outdoor amphitheater.

Covered bridges, beautiful rivers and lakes, open spaces and bicycle and hiking trails are only a few of Swanzey's jewels. Located south of Keene, Swanzey's residents find the best of both worlds- easy access to the retail and cultural amenities provided in Keene, coupled with country living. Swanzey provides opportunities for living on less-traveled country roads with views of Mount Monadnock to smaller lots located in historic villages, complete with services typically found in urban areas. Swanzey is looking toward the future with new infrastructure to support economic development in its industrial park properties and along Route 32. Zoning for commercial, industrial and business uses along its major thoroughfares allows business to locate in town, profiting from easy accessibility and good visibility.

Troy was first settled in 1762; by 1815 the community had grown so much that it sought its own incorporation. Troy is a small township made up of parts of Marlborough, Fitzwilliam, Swanzey and Richmond. Troy is in the center of the Monadnock Region, just far enough away from the hustle and bustle to retain that small New England Town character, and still have diverse natural resources. Yet, in a single day, one can easily travel to the ocean to a major metropolitan area - and return to what a small town is supposed to be like. The town hall, built in 1813-14 near the rail-fenced common, was originally the village meeting house. Troy enjoys superb vistas of Mount Monadnock.

Walpole is a village of particular beauty and charm. It was granted in 1736 as No. 3, chartered in 1752 and was named in honor of Sir Robert Walpole, Earl of Orford. It contains many architecturally significant historic buildings, some on the National Register of Historic Places. The first bridge across the Connecticut River was built here in 1785 and is one of the most famous early spans in the country. The town includes the villages of Walpole, North Walpole and Drewsville, each with a distinctive character and history. Walpole Village, with defining characteristics of its wide Main Street and Town Common, together with four churches, imposing Town Hall, Bridge Library, and the Walpole Academy building housing the Walpole Historical Society, was by-passed by Route 12. Walpole is a rural agricultural town with numerous working farms, accredited primary schools, and a small but active business district. There are several restaurants, and recreational facilities are available. Band concerts on the common have become a cultural summer tradition.

Westmoreland is an historically agricultural community overlooking the Connecticut River. This part of the river was a favorite Indian campsite documented in records dating back to 1724. A living example of Westmoreland's rich and varied history is the first meetinghouse begun in 1762. It still stands as one of the most beautiful churches in New England, open to the public. Westmoreland retains the hometown rural character of bygone days with basic shopping and conveniences; metropolitan areas are a convenient drive away. The atmosphere is friendly and community pride is evident in the numerous beautifully maintained homesteads, many dating back to the 18th century. Sharing is an everyday event and many public activities are organized in and around the South Village, often with the accompaniment of the Westmoreland Town Band. The town is governed by a board of Selectmen and the future growth of the town is guided by the Westmoreland Master Plan that reflects sensible growth for ideal living for many years to come.

Winchester, located in the southwest corner of NH, has the natural resources of the Ashuelot River, Forest Lake and Pisgah Park (the largest State Park; 13,300 acres), offering a rural setting so many families are seeking for raising their children within a small town environment. Although the town has been agricultural in nature, it offers many services and business opportunities. New homes are being built and land has been set aside to retain open space. Several industries have located in the area and, in development, are additional resources for business ventures as well as additional recreational sites and opportunities. As a community, citizens participate in the decision making process for the development and improvement. Winchester looks towards the future by offering better education and facilities: elderly housing and the Elm Center to provide programs for young and old.

Community background information provided in part by The Keene Sentinel.

Town	Zip	Pop.	Sq. Mi.	Phone (603)...	Email	School Admin. Unit	Tax Rate	Assment Ratio
Alstead	03602	1,944	39.7	835-2986	email	60	$35.06	50.0%
Chesterfield	03443	3,555	48.1	363-8071		29	$18.48	87.2%
Dublin	03444	1,525	29.0	563-8544	email	1	$15.64	104.0%
Fitzwilliam	03447	2,141	36.5	585-7723	email	38	$24.48	87.5%
Gilsum	03448	881	17.1	357-0320		38	$20.14	100.0%
Harrisville	03450	1,075	20.2	827-3431		29	$21.25	95.0%
Hinsdale	03451	4,242	23.0	336-5719		38	$29.24	79.3%
Jaffrey	03452	5,600	40.7	532-7445	email	47	$38.86	48.2%
Keene	03431	22,563	37.3	352-0133	email	29	$28.34	100.0%
Marlborough	03455	2,059	20.7	876-4529		29	$22.50	100.0%
Marlow	03456	661	26.5	446-2245	email	29	$37.18	50.0%
Nelson	03457	634	23.7	847-9043	email	29	$22.00	63.6%
Richmond	03470	1,200	38.4	239-6202		38	$19.10	100.0%
Rindge	03461	5,451	40.0	899-3354	email	47	$35.09	52.5%
Roxbury	03431	234	12.3	352-4903		29	$29.57	74.6%
Stoddard	03464	928	53.9	446-3326		24	$12.80	75.7%
Sullivan	03445	792	19.1	847-3316		38	$20.48	100.0%
Surry	03431	694	16.0	352-3075		38	$23.28	100.0%
Swanzey	03431	7,009	37.0	352-7411	email	38	$22.96	94.0%
Troy	03465	1,976	19.2	242-7722		38	$24.34	100.0%
Walpole	03608	3,689	37.3	756-3672		60	$18.51	84.19%
Westmoreland	03467	1,747	36.8	399-4471	email	29	$17.94	84.0%
Winchester	03470	4,223	55.8	239-4951		38	$23.94	100.0%