Orford, New Hampshire
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Orford, New Hampshire |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | New Hampshire |
| County | Grafton County |
| Incorporated | 1761 |
| Board of Selectmen | Paul Goundrey
Ann Green |
| Area | |
| - City | 124.4 km² (48.0 sq mi) |
| - Land | 120.9 km² (46.7 sq mi) |
| - Water | 3.5 km² (1.4 sq mi) 2.81% |
| Elevation | 124 m (407 ft) |
| Population | |
| - City (2000) | 1,091 |
| - Density | 9.0/km² (23.4/sq mi) |
| Time zone | Eastern (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | Eastern (UTC-4) |
| Website: www.orfordnh.us | |
Orford is a town in Grafton County, New Hampshire, USA. The population was 1,091 at the 2000 census. The Appalachian Trail crosses in the east.
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[edit] History
First called "Number Seven" in a line of Connecticut River fort towns, this town was incorporated in 1761 by Colonial Governor Benning Wentworth and named for Robert Walpole, Earl of Orford, who was England's first prime minister. An original grantee was General Israel Morey, whose son Samuel discovered a way to separate hydrogen from oxygen in water, using the knowledge to develop the first marine steam engine. The first "steam boat" was demonstrated on the river at Orford.
Washington Irving visited Orford in 1832 and is quoted as saying, "In all my travels in this country and in Europe, I have seen no village more beautiful than this. It is a charming place -- nature has done her utmost here." Of the famous sequence of seven early homes built on "The Ridge," Dartmouth Professor of Architecture Hugh Morrison said, "As a row and counting the setting, this is the finest group of Federal-style houses in the United States." Built between 1773 and 1839, the dwellings show the influence of architect Asher Benjamin.
[edit] Notable Inhabitants
- Arnie Arnesen, political activist & radio host
- Charles R. Jackson, writer
- Samuel Morey, inventor
- Jameson Parker, actor
- Henry Cheever Pratt, artist
- Meldrim Thomson, Jr., governor
[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 124.4 km² (48.0 mi²). 120.9 km² (46.7 mi²) of it is land and 3.5 km² (1.4 mi²) of it is water, comprising 2.81% of the town. The Connecticut River, which serves as the boundary between New Hampshire and Vermont, forms the western edge of the town. Most of Orford is drained by Jacob's Brook and other small tributaries of the Connecticut. The northeastern corner of the town, around Upper and Lower Baker Ponds, drains via the Baker River and Pemigewasset River into the Merrimack River.
The town has two population centers. The main village of Orford, with the town's schools and post office, is located on the banks of the Connecticut River. The town hall, however, is located in the smaller village of Orfordville, on New Hampshire Route 25A several miles east of the river.
The highest point in Orford is Mount Cube (2,909 feet / 887 meters above sea level), in the eastern part of town. The northern slopes of Smarts Mountain, whose 3,240-foot (988 meter) summit lies in the neighboring town of Lyme, occupy the southeast corner of town.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 1,091 people, 470 households, and 308 families residing in the town. The population density was 9.0/km² (23.4/mi²). There were 561 housing units at an average density of 4.6/km² (12.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.98% White, 0.09% African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.64% Asian, 1.10% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.92% of the population.
There were 470 households out of which 26.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.5% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.3% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.84.
In the town the population was spread out with 21.9% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 29.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $46,250, and the median income for a family was $50,577. Males had a median income of $27,500 versus $25,833 for females. The per capita income for the town was $24,196. About 3.1% of families and 5.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.4% of those under age 18 and 4.1% of those age 65 or over.
