📍 Location & Geography
Warner is a charming town located in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States. The town is situated in the western part of the county, nestled in the beautiful and scenic landscape of the state. It is bounded by the towns of Sutton to the north, Webster to the east, Hopkinton and Henniker to the south, and Bradford to the west. It covers a total area of 55.9 square miles, of which 55.0 square miles is land and 0.9 square miles is water, according to the United States Census Bureau.
🌎 Coordinates
The geographic coordinates of Warner, New Hampshire are approximately 43°16′26″N latitude and 71°49′58″W longitude.
🗺️ Region & Area
Warner is part of the New England region in the northeastern United States. It falls under the Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee region of New Hampshire, known for its picturesque landscapes and outdoor recreational opportunities.
👥 Population & Demographics
As of the 2010 census, Warner had a population of 2,833 residents. The town is characterized by a diverse age group, with a median age of 45.5 years. The population is predominantly white, with small percentages of African American, Asian, Hispanic, and other races.
🏛️ History
Warner was incorporated in 1774, named after Jonathan Warner, a leading citizen in Portsmouth, who was a member of the King’s Council and a wealthy merchant. The town was originally granted in 1735 as “Number One” by Massachusetts Governor Jonathan Belcher to petitioners from Amesbury, Massachusetts. Prior to incorporation, the town was known as “New Amesbury.” The town’s early economy was based on mills, with the Warner River providing water power for various types of mills throughout the town’s history.
🏞️ Nature & Environment
Warner is home to a portion of the Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway, a 75-mile loop trail that links four state parks, a wildlife management area, and the towns of Newport, New London, Wilmot, Andover, and Warner. The town also has several bodies of water, including the Warner River and its tributaries, and several ponds, which offer opportunities for fishing, boating, and other water activities.
🏫 Education
Education in Warner is managed by the Kearsarge Regional School District. The town has one elementary school, Simonds Elementary School. Middle and high school students attend Kearsarge Regional Middle School and Kearsarge Regional High School, both located in nearby towns.
🚧 Transportation
The primary mode of transportation in Warner is by car. Interstate 89 passes through the eastern part of the town, with access from Exit 9. State Route 103 also passes through the town, serving as the main thoroughfare. The nearest airport is Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, located about 45 miles to the southeast.
📜 Trivia & Events
Warner is home to the annual Warner Fall Foliage Festival, a tradition since 1947. The festival celebrates the changing colors of the leaves and includes a parade, live music, a road race, and various food and craft vendors. The town is also home to the Mount Kearsarge Indian Museum, which educates visitors about Native American culture and history, and the New Hampshire Telephone Museum, which showcases the evolution of telecommunications.