Winchester, New Hampshire

Winchester is a town in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 4,341 at the 2010 census.[1] The primary settlement in the town, where 1,733 people resided at the 2010 census,[1] is defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as the Winchester census-designated place (CDP). The town also includes the village of Ashuelot and part of Pisgah State Park.

Winchester, New Hampshire
Town
Seal
Coordinates: 42°46′24″N 72°22′59″W
CountryUnited States
StateNew Hampshire
CountyCheshire
Incorporated1753
VillagesWinchester
Ashuelot
Scotland
Government
  Board of SelectmenBen Kilanski, Chair
Jack Marsh
Gloria Leustek
Herbert C. Stephens
James Rokes, Sr.
  Town AdministratorKarey Miner
Area
  Total55.5 sq mi (143.8 km2)
  Land54.9 sq mi (142.3 km2)
  Water0.6 sq mi (1.5 km2)  1.06%
Elevation
433 ft (132 m)
Population
 (2010)
  Total4,341
  Density78/sq mi (30/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern)
  Summer (DST)UTC-4 (Eastern)
ZIP codes
03470 (Winchester)
03441 (Ashuelot)
Area code(s)603
FIPS code33-85540
GNIS feature ID0873757
Websitewww.winchester-nh.gov

History

Postcard of town, 1909

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 Bay Colony border at the Connecticut River. This was in the area encompassed in the relatively newly acquired Equivalent Lands.[2] After being designated a part of New Hampshire Province in 1741, the town was granted to Colonel Josiah Willard, commander of the Fort Dummer outpost. 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.[3]

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.[3] 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.[4]

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.[5]

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.

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

Adjacent municipalities

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.
17901,209
18001,41316.9%
18101,4784.6%
18201,84925.1%
18302,05110.9%
18402,0650.7%
18503,29659.6%
18602,225−32.5%
18702,097−5.8%
18802,44416.5%
18902,5845.7%
19002,274−12.0%
19102,2820.4%
19202,267−0.7%
19302,183−3.7%
19402,2754.2%
19502,3885.0%
19602,4111.0%
19702,86919.0%
19803,46520.8%
19904,03816.5%
20004,1442.6%
20104,3414.8%
2017 (est.)4,182[6]−3.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]

As of the census of 2010, there were 4,341 people, 1,689 households, and 1,129 families residing in the town. There were 1,932 housing units, of which 243, or 12.6%, were vacant. 124 of the vacant units were for seasonal or recreational use. The racial makeup of the town was 96.1% white, 0.5% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 0.5% some other race, and 1.8% from two or more races. 1.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[8]

Of the 1,689 households, 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.5% were headed by married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.2% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.6% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54, and the average family size was 2.97.[8]

In the town, 22.9% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.4% were from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 29.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.9 males.[8]

For the period 2011–2015, the estimated median annual income for a household was $44,760, and the median income for a family was $53,864. Male full-time workers had a median income of $37,213 versus $37,056 for females. The per capita income for the town was $23,404. 13.9% of the population and 12.8% of families were below the poverty line. 20.8% of the population under the age of 18 and 9.9% of those 65 or older were living in poverty.[9]

Culture

Since 1998, Winchester has held its annual Pickle Festival each September on its Main Street.[10]

Sites of interest

Notable people

References

  1. United States Census Bureau, U.S. Census website, 2010 Census figures. Retrieved March 23, 2011.
  2. Equivalent Lands; webpage; Vermont History on-line; accessed April 26, 2020
  3. Coolidge, Austin J.; John B. Mansfield (1859). A History and Description of New England. Boston, Massachusetts: A.J. Coolidge. pp. 699–700. coolidge mansfield history description new england 1859.
  4. "Winchester Profession". Unitarian Universalist History and Heritage Society. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  5. History of Winchester, Cheshire County, New Hampshire
  6. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2017 (PEPANNRES): Minor Civil Divisions – New Hampshire". Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
  7. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  8. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (DP-1): Winchester town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
  9. "Selected Economic Characteristics: 2011-2015 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (DP03): Winchester town, Cheshire County, New Hampshire". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
  10. "Winchester Proud to present town's pickle festival". New Hampshire Union Leader. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
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