Henniker, New Hampshire

History

It was first known as Number Six in a line of settlements running between the Merrimack and Connecticut rivers. In 1752, the Masonian Proprietors granted the land to Andrew Todd, who called it Todd's Town. Settled in 1761 by James Peter, it was dubbed New Marlborough by others from Marlboro, Massachusetts. Incorporated in 1768 by Governor John Wentworth, the town was named for Sir John Henniker, a London merchant of leather and fur, with shipping interests in Boston and Portsmouth.

In the 19th century Henniker had a high rate of congenital deafness, and its own sign language, which may have played a significant role in the emergence of American Sign Language.

Farmers found the town's surface relatively even, with fertile soil. Various mills operated by water power on the Contoocook River, including a woolen factory. By 1859, the population was 1,688. But mills in Henniker were closed in 1959 by the Hopkinton-Everett Lakes Flood Control Project.

The Edna Dean Proctor Bridge, a stone double-arch bridge spanning the Contoocook, was built in 1835. Beginning in the late 1800s, the river's scenic beauty attracted tourism. Today, Henniker is a college town and resort area, featuring both skiing and white-water kayaking. The game of paintball originated in Henniker in 1981.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 116.1 square kilometres (44.8 sq mi), of which 114.3 square kilometres (44.1 sq mi) is land and 1.8 square kilometres (0.69 sq mi) is water, comprising 1.52% of the town. The village of Henniker, or census-designated place (CDP), has a total area of 3.6 square kilometres (1.4 sq mi), all land.

Craney Hill, elevation 1,402 feet (427 m) above sea level and home of Pat's Peak ski area, is in the south. The highest point in Henniker is an unnamed summit near the town's northwest corner, with an elevation of 1,552 ft (473 m). Henniker is drained by the Contoocook River and Amey Brook; the town lies fully within the Merrimack River watershed.

Henniker is crossed by U.S. Route 202, and state routes 9 and 114.

Demographics

At the census of 2000 there were 4,433 people, 1,585 households, and 1,019 families residing in the town. The population density was 38.8/square kilometer (100.5/square mile). There were 1,679 housing units at an average density of 14.7 persons/square kilometer (38.0 persons/square mile). The racial makeup of the town was 96.64% White, 0.45% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.99% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.38% from other races, and 1.33% from two or more races. 0.83% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,585 households, of which 37.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 35.7% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.09.

24.9% of the population were under the age of 18, 16.8% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 7.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 103.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $50,288, and the median income for a family was $59,527. Males had a median income of $39,583 versus $27,243 for females. The per capita income for the town was $24,530. 7.0% of the population and 2.0% of families were below the poverty line. Of the people living in poverty, 2.1% were under the age of 18 and 10.3% were 65 or older.

Town center

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,627 people, 541 households, and 292 families residing in the central village of Henniker, or census-designated place (CDP). The population density was 1,164.1 people per square mile (448.7/km²). There were 558 housing units at an average density of 153.9 persons/km² (399.3 persons/sq mi). The racial makeup of the town was 95.02% White, 0.98% African American, 0.18% Native American, 1.78% Asian, 0.55% from other races, and 1.48% from two or more races. 1.35% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 541 households out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.1% were married couples living together, 10.4% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 46.0% were non-families. 34.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the CDP, the age distribution of the population shows 18.0% under the age of 18, 32.9% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 17.2% from 45 to 64, and 8.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females there were 97.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.9 males.

The median income for a household is $40,000, and the median income for a family was $48,563. Males had a median income of $31,771 versus $26,667 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,808. 10.4% of the population and 2.2% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 3.2% are under the age of 18 and 4.3% are 65 or older.

Government

In the New Hampshire Senate, Henniker is in the 15th District, represented by Democrat Dan Feltes. On the New Hampshire Executive Council, Henniker is in the 2nd District, represented by Democrat Andru Volinsky. In the United States House of Representatives, Henniker is in New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district, represented by Democrat Ann McLane Kuster.

Education

Henniker is part of New Hampshire School Administrative Unit #24, which also includes Weare and Stoddard, New Hampshire. Kindergarten and primary school students attend Henniker Community School, while secondary level students attend John Stark Regional High School in Weare. Henniker is also home to New England College, a four-year private liberal arts college. Henniker has a free library for residents, two community centers, and a Parent-Teacher Association.

Religion

Henniker has a Congregational church, a Roman Catholic church, a Quaker meeting house, and Community Christian Fellowship.

Notable people