Winchester, New Hampshire
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Winchester, New Hampshire |
|
 |
|
| Coordinates: | |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | New Hampshire |
| County | Cheshire County |
| Incorporated | 1733 |
| Board of Selectmen | |
| Area | |
| - Town | 143.8 km² (55.5 sq mi) |
| - Land | 142.3 km² (54.9 sq mi) |
| - Water | 1.5 km² (0.6 sq mi) 1.06% |
| Elevation | 132 m (433 ft) |
| Population | |
| - Town (2000) | 4,144 |
| - Density | 29.1/km² (75.4/sq mi) |
| Time zone | Eastern (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | Eastern (UTC-4) |
| Website: www.winchesternh.us | |
Winchester is a town in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USA. The population was 4,144 at the 2000 census. It includes the village of Ashuelot. Winchester is home to part of Pisgah State Park.
Contents |
[edit] History
Originally named "Arlington" in honor of Charles Fitzroy, Earl of Arlington, this town was one of those established in 1733 by Colonial Governor Jonathan Belcher as protection for the Massachusetts border at the Connecticut River. After becoming a part of New Hampshire province in 1741, the town was granted to Colonel Josiah Willard, commander of Fort Dummer. In 1753, it was incorporated by Governor Benning Wentworth as "Winchester," for Charles Paulet, 3rd Duke of Bolton, 8th Marquess of Winchester, and constable of the Tower of London.
Pioneers who came to the town as early as 1732 were attacked many times by Indians. Several settlers were taken captive, and the town was burned in 1747. Its church, founded in 1736, is the oldest religious body in Cheshire County. The town has two covered bridges.
Although it has been an agricultural town, many small industries have been established in Winchester. In the 1830s, Graves & Company was among the nation's first manufacturers of musical instruments. The coming of the Ashuelot Railroad in 1850 fostered the growth of textile mills and wooden-ware factories, especially box manufacture and leather tanning.
[edit] Notable inhabitants
- Henry Ashley, born in Winchester, member of the United States Congress from New York[1]
- Marshall Jewell (1825 – 1883), governor of Connecticut (1869 - 1870 and 1871 - 1873.
[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 143.8 km² (55.5 mi²). 142.3 km² (54.9 mi²) of it is land and 1.5 km² (0.6 mi²) of it is water, comprising 1.06% of the town. Winchester is drained by the Ashuelot River and Roaring Brook. Pisgah Reservoir and Kilburn Pond are in the northwest. The highest point in Winchester is Franklin Mountain (1,424 feet / 434 meters above sea level), near the town's northeast corner.
[edit] Demographics
This article describes the town of Winchester as a whole. Additional demographic detail is available that describes only the central settlement or village within the town, although that detail is included in the aggregate values reported here. See: Winchester (CDP), New Hampshire.
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,144 people, 1,557 households, and 1,094 families residing in the town. The population density was 29.1/km² (75.4/mi²). There were 1,741 housing units at an average density of 12.2 persons/km² (31.7 persons/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.37% White, 0.31% African American, 0.56% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from other races, and 1.23% from two or more races. 0.82% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 1,557 households out of which 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% were married couples living together, 11.9% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 29.7% were non-families. 23.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.5% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 96.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $37,364, and the median income for a family was $43,393. Males had a median income of $30,399 versus $20,682 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,012. 12.0% of the population and 10.0% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 17.6% are under the age of 18 and 5.8% are 65 or older.
[edit] Sites of interest
- Ashuelot Bridge (1864)
- Conant Library Museum
- Sheridan House (1870), the Winchester Historical Society Museum
[edit] References
-
- ^ (1963) Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who.
[edit] External links
- Winchester, NH Official Website
- Conant Public Library
- Pisgah State Park
- New Hampshire Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau Profile
- Winchester Informed Citizen
