Category: C

🏛️ History

Center Harbor was incorporated in 1797. The town got its name from two sources: its location, centered between Meredith and Moultonborough Harbors, and also from the Senter family, who were owners of a considerable amount of property in the area. The town was a landing place for lake steamers and stagecoaches, making it a popular summer resort. Center Harbor was the winter home for the paddle steamer, Mount Washington, until the construction of a marine railway in 1859.

🏞️ Nature & Environment

Center Harbor is known for its stunning natural beauty. It is surrounded by water bodies, including Lake Winnipesaukee, Squam Lake, and Lake Kanasatka. The town offers a variety of outdoor recreational activities such as boating, fishing, and hiking. The area is rich in flora and fauna, with several parks and nature reserves.

🏫 Education

Education in Center Harbor is administered by the Inter-Lakes School District. The town is home to the Inter-Lakes Elementary School and Inter-Lakes Junior/Senior High School. For higher education, residents often go to nearby cities that host colleges and universities.

🚧 Transportation

Center Harbor is served by state routes 25 and 25B. The nearest commercial airport is Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, which is approximately 70 miles away. The town’s location between two major lakes makes it accessible by boat as well.

📜 Trivia & Events

Center Harbor is home to the annual Craft Fair at the Bay, which attracts artisans from all over New England. The town also hosts a variety of community events throughout the year, including a 4th of July parade and fireworks display. An interesting fact about Center Harbor is that it is the winter home for the MS Mount Washington, the largest boat on Lake Winnipesaukee.

🏛️ History

Center Barnstead’s history dates back to the 18th century when it was originally part of Barnstead. Over the years, it has maintained its rural charm while also developing into a vibrant community. The town is dotted with several historical structures, including old farmhouses and churches, that offer a glimpse into its past.

🏞️ Nature & Environment

Center Barnstead is rich in natural beauty, with its rolling hills, dense forests, and pristine lakes. The town is home to a variety of wildlife species and offers numerous opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and bird watching. The Suncook Lakes, Upper and Lower, are popular spots for boating, swimming, and fishing.

🏫 Education

Education in Center Barnstead is managed by the Barnstead School District. The town has one elementary school, the Barnstead Elementary School, which serves students from kindergarten through grade 8. For high school, students typically attend the Prospect Mountain High School located in the neighboring town of Alton.

🚧 Transportation

Center Barnstead is primarily a car-dependent town, with most residents relying on private vehicles for transportation. The town is served by a network of state and local roads, including New Hampshire Route 28. The nearest major airport is Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, located about 40 miles to the south.

📜 Trivia & Events

Center Barnstead hosts several community events throughout the year, including the annual Old Home Day, a tradition that celebrates the town’s history and community spirit. The town is also known for its maple syrup production, with several local farms offering tours during the sugaring season.

🏛️ History

Canterbury was first granted by Lieutenant Governor John Wentworth in 1727 to merchants from Portsmouth. It was originally named ‘Loudon’, but was incorporated as ‘Canterbury’ in 1741. The town has a rich history, with several historic buildings and sites, including the Canterbury Shaker Village, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

🏞️ Nature & Environment

Canterbury is known for its natural beauty, featuring a variety of landscapes from forests and fields to rivers and ponds. The town is home to several parks and nature reserves, providing ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and bird watching. The Ayers State Forest and the Merrimack River are among the notable natural attractions in the area.

🏫 Education

Education in Canterbury is managed by the Shaker Regional School District. The town has one elementary school, the Canterbury Elementary School. For middle and high school, students attend the Belmont Middle School and Belmont High School, located in the neighboring town of Belmont.

🚧 Transportation

Transportation in Canterbury primarily relies on road networks, with the town being served by Interstate 93 and New Hampshire Route 132. The nearest airport is the Concord Municipal Airport, located approximately 15 miles away in Concord, the state capital.

📜 Trivia & Events

Canterbury is home to the Canterbury Shaker Village, an internationally-known, non-profit museum and historic site with 25 original Shaker buildings, four reconstructed Shaker buildings, and 694 acres of forests, fields, gardens, nature trails, and mill ponds under permanent conservation easement.

The town also hosts several events throughout the year, including the annual Canterbury Fair, a traditional, old-time country fair that has been a local tradition since the early 1900s. The fair features traditional arts and crafts, a parade, music, and food.

🏛️ History

Campton was incorporated as a town in 1767. Its name was derived from the English parish of Campton in Bedfordshire. The town was primarily a farming community in its early years, with the Pemigewasset River providing a vital source of water for crops and livestock. Over time, the town evolved and diversified, with industries such as logging, milling, and tourism becoming significant contributors to the local economy.

🏞️ Nature & Environment

Campton is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty. The town is home to Blair State Forest and parts of the White Mountain National Forest, offering numerous opportunities for hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing. The Pemigewasset River, which flows through the town, is a popular spot for fishing and boating. The town is committed to preserving its natural resources and maintains a comprehensive environmental conservation program.

🏫 Education

Education in Campton is managed by the Campton School District. The town has one elementary school, Campton Elementary, which serves grades K-8. High school students attend Plymouth Regional High School in the neighboring town of Plymouth. For higher education, residents have access to several colleges and universities within driving distance, including Plymouth State University.

🚧 Transportation

Campton is served by Interstate 93, which provides easy access to other parts of New Hampshire and New England. The town also has a number of state routes that connect it to neighboring towns and cities. Public transportation is limited, so most residents rely on private vehicles for commuting. The nearest major airport is Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, located about 80 miles to the south.

📜 Trivia & Events

Campton is known for its annual events which include the Campton Fall Foliage Festival, a celebration of the town’s stunning autumn colors, and the Winter Carnival, a family-friendly event featuring winter sports and activities. An interesting trivia about Campton is that it was once the site of a “Bog Iron” industry during the 19th century, where iron ore was extracted from local swamps and marshes.

🏛️ History

Chester was originally settled in 1720 and was incorporated as a town in 1722. It was named after Chester, England, following the tradition of naming New Hampshire towns after English places. The town was primarily an agricultural community in its early years, but also had a vibrant milling industry due to the presence of the Exeter River.

🏞️ Nature & Environment

Chester is known for its beautiful natural landscapes, which include forests, hills, and water bodies. The town is home to several parks and nature reserves, including Wason Pond Conservation and Recreation Area and Chester Rod and Gun Club. The Exeter River, which flows through the town, provides opportunities for fishing and boating.

🏫 Education

Education in Chester is managed by the Chester School District, which operates Chester Academy, a public school serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade. High school students usually attend Pinkerton Academy in the nearby town of Derry.

🚧 Transportation

Chester is served by several state highways, including Route 102 and Route 121, which provide connections to the surrounding towns and cities. The closest major airport is Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, located approximately 20 miles northwest of Chester. Public transportation services are limited, with most residents relying on private vehicles for commuting.

📜 Trivia & Events

Chester is home to the annual Chester Fair, a traditional New England fair that features agricultural exhibits, craft displays, and live entertainment. The town is also known for its historic Chester Village Cemetery, which dates back to the 18th century and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.