Winchester, New Hampshire

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 1745. Its church, founded in 1736, is the oldest religious body in Cheshire County. The town has two covered bridges.

The Winchester Profession, an influential statement of the principles of Universalism, was adopted at a Universalist congress in Winchester in 1803.

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.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 55.5 square miles (144 km²), of which 54.9 square miles (142 km²) is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²) 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 1,424-foot (434 m) Franklin Mountain, near the town's northeast corner.

The town center, defined as a census-designated place (CDP), covers an area of 3.0 square miles (7.8 km²), about 5.4% of the area of the town.

Winchester is served by state routes 10, 78 and 119.

Demographics

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 75.4 people per square mile (29.1/km²). There were 1,741 housing units at an average density of 12.2 persons/km² (31.7 persons/sq mi). 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.

Town center

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,832 people, 690 households, and 467 families residing in the CDP (census-designated place) at the town center. The population density was 615.7 people per square mile (237.4/km²). There were 727 housing units at an average density of 94.2 persons/km² (244.3 persons/sq mi). The racial makeup of the town was 96.94% White, 0.49% African American, 0.66% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.22% from other races, and 1.31% from two or more races. 1.20% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 690 households out of which 36.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.4% were married couples living together, 15.1% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 32.3% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the CDP, the population was spread out with 28.8% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.3 males.

The median income for a household is $31,281, and the median income for a family was $39,828. Males had a median income of $29,909 versus $19,976 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,646. 17.8% of the population and 17.3% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 25.1% are under the age of 18 and 9.5% are 65 or older.

Culture

Since 1998, Winchester has held its annual Pickle Festival each September on its Main Street.

Sites of interest

Notable people