Alton, New Hampshire
Encyclopedia
Alton is a town
in Belknap County
, New Hampshire
, United States. The population was 5,250 at the 2010 census. It is home to Alton Bay State Forest and Mount Major
State Forest. Alton includes the village of Alton Bay
, a long-time resort located beside Lake Winnipesaukee
.
The primary settlement in town, where 501 people resided at the 2010 census, is defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as the Alton census-designated place
(CDP) and is centered on the intersection of New Hampshire Route 11
and New Hampshire Route 140
.
. Merchants then filled the lowlands. Early Alton history recounts stories of the merchants trying to convince the farmers to incorporate. They would succeed in 1796, when the community was named after Alton
, a small market town in Hampshire
, England.
By 1840, the village of Alton existed at the town's center. In 1847, the Cochecho Railroad began bringing passengers and freight to Alton Village and Alton Bay. By 1859, the town had two gristmill
s, seven sawmill
s, and five shoe
factories. But the most famous business was the Rockwell Clough Company, established by William Rockwell Clough, inventor of the corkscrew. By 1903, his company was producing 30 million corkscrews worldwide.
Since the mid-19th century, however, tourism has been the principal business. In 1863, the Adventist
Campground held their first camp meeting at Alton Bay. In 1872, the Boston & Maine Railroad launched at Alton Bay the steamer Mount Washington, the first side-wheeler and largest vessel on Lake Winnipesaukee. When destroyed by fire in 1939, a replacement ship was found, also christened Mount Washington. Today, it continues to carry summer tourists between stops on the lake. The railway survived until 1935, and the old station at Alton Bay is now a community center.
, the town has a total area of 82.2 square miles (212.9 km²), of which 62.9 square miles (162.9 km²) is land and 19.3 square miles (50 km²) is water, comprising 23.18% of the town. Alton is drained by the Merrymeeting River
. Mount Major
, in Mount Major State Forest, has an elevation of 1780 feet (542.5 m) above sea level
. Popular with hikers, the summit offers unsurpassed views of Lake Winnipesaukee. The highest point in Alton is the north peak of Straightback Mountain, at 1910 ft (582.2 m), just west of Mount Major. Both mountains are part of the Belknap Mountains range. Alton lies almost fully within the Merrimack River
watershed
, though a tiny corner is in the Piscataqua River
(coastal) watershed.
The town is served by state routes 11
, 28
and 140
.
of 2000, there were 4,502 people, 1,825 households, and 1,295 families residing in the town. The population density
was 71.3 people per square mile (27.5/km²). There were 3,522 housing units at an average density of 55.8 per square mile (21.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.76% White, 0.07% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.07% from other races
, and 0.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.53% of the population.
There were 1,825 households out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.7% were married couples
living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the town the population was spread out with 23.8% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 28.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 98.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $43,451, and the median income for a family was $46,467. Males had a median income of $37,585 versus $29,375 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $25,940. About 5.4% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.4% of those under age 18 and 2.5% of those age 65 or over.
New England town
The New England town is the basic unit of local government in each of the six New England states. Without a direct counterpart in most other U.S. states, New England towns are conceptually similar to civil townships in other states, but are incorporated, possessing powers like cities in other...
in Belknap County
Belknap County, New Hampshire
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 56,325 people, 22,459 households, and 15,496 families residing in the county. The population density was 140 people per square mile . There were 32,121 housing units at an average density of 80 per square mile...
, New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
, United States. The population was 5,250 at the 2010 census. It is home to Alton Bay State Forest and Mount Major
Mount Major
Mount Major is a mountain located in Alton, New Hampshire, south of Lake Winnipesaukee and northeast of Straightback Mountain of the Belknap Range....
State Forest. Alton includes the village of Alton Bay
Alton Bay, New Hampshire
Alton Bay is an unincorporated village in the town of Alton, New Hampshire, located on Alton Bay, a cove of Lake Winnipesaukee which forms the southeasternmost point on the lake. The village is part of the Lakes Region, a popular resort area of New Hampshire....
, a long-time resort located beside Lake Winnipesaukee
Lake Winnipesaukee
Lake Winnipesaukee is the largest lake in the U.S. state of New Hampshire. It is approximately long and from wide , covering — when Paugus Bay is included—with a maximum depth of ....
.
The primary settlement in town, where 501 people resided at the 2010 census, is defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as the Alton census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) and is centered on the intersection of New Hampshire Route 11
New Hampshire Route 11
New Hampshire Route 11 is a long east–west state highway in New Hampshire, running westward along the southern shore of Lake Winnipesaukee. Its eastern terminus is at the Maine state line in the city of Rochester, where it continues north as Maine State Route 11. U.S. Route 202, which runs...
and New Hampshire Route 140
New Hampshire Route 140
New Hampshire Route 140 is a long east–west state highway in New Hampshire. It runs from Tilton to Alton.The western terminus of NH 140 is in Tilton at U.S. Route 3 and New Hampshire Route 11. The eastern terminus is in Alton at NH 11 and New Hampshire Route 28A . In Alton, the road is named the...
.
History
Originally called New Durham Gore because of rocky upland areas, or "gores," the town was settled in 1770, mainly by farmers because the highland areas provided less frostFrost
Frost is the solid deposition of water vapor from saturated air. It is formed when solid surfaces are cooled to below the dew point of the adjacent air as well as below the freezing point of water. Frost crystals' size differ depending on time and water vapour available. Frost is also usually...
. Merchants then filled the lowlands. Early Alton history recounts stories of the merchants trying to convince the farmers to incorporate. They would succeed in 1796, when the community was named after Alton
Alton, Hampshire
Alton is a historic market town and civil parish in the East Hampshire district of the English county of Hampshire. It had a population of 16,584 at the 1991 census and is administered by East Hampshire district council. It is located on the source of the River Wey and is the highest town in...
, a small market town in Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
, England.
By 1840, the village of Alton existed at the town's center. In 1847, the Cochecho Railroad began bringing passengers and freight to Alton Village and Alton Bay. By 1859, the town had two gristmill
Gristmill
The terms gristmill or grist mill can refer either to a building in which grain is ground into flour, or to the grinding mechanism itself.- Early history :...
s, seven sawmill
Sawmill
A sawmill is a facility where logs are cut into boards.-Sawmill process:A sawmill's basic operation is much like those of hundreds of years ago; a log enters on one end and dimensional lumber exits on the other end....
s, and five shoe
Shoemaking
Shoemaking is the process of making footwear. Originally, shoes were made one at a time by hand. Traditional handicraft shoemaking has now been largely superseded in volume of shoes produced by industrial mass production of footwear, but not necessarily in quality, attention to detail, or...
factories. But the most famous business was the Rockwell Clough Company, established by William Rockwell Clough, inventor of the corkscrew. By 1903, his company was producing 30 million corkscrews worldwide.
Since the mid-19th century, however, tourism has been the principal business. In 1863, the Adventist
Adventist
Adventism is a Christian movement which began in the 19th century, in the context of the Second Great Awakening revival in the United States. The name refers to belief in the imminent Second Coming of Jesus Christ. It was started by William Miller, whose followers became known as Millerites...
Campground held their first camp meeting at Alton Bay. In 1872, the Boston & Maine Railroad launched at Alton Bay the steamer Mount Washington, the first side-wheeler and largest vessel on Lake Winnipesaukee. When destroyed by fire in 1939, a replacement ship was found, also christened Mount Washington. Today, it continues to carry summer tourists between stops on the lake. The railway survived until 1935, and the old station at Alton Bay is now a community center.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 82.2 square miles (212.9 km²), of which 62.9 square miles (162.9 km²) is land and 19.3 square miles (50 km²) is water, comprising 23.18% of the town. Alton is drained by the Merrymeeting River
Merrymeeting River
The Merrymeeting River is a river located in the Lakes Region of central New Hampshire in the United States. It is a tributary of Lake Winnipesaukee, part of the Merrimack River watershed....
. Mount Major
Mount Major
Mount Major is a mountain located in Alton, New Hampshire, south of Lake Winnipesaukee and northeast of Straightback Mountain of the Belknap Range....
, in Mount Major State Forest, has an elevation of 1780 feet (542.5 m) above sea level
Sea level
Mean sea level is a measure of the average height of the ocean's surface ; used as a standard in reckoning land elevation...
. Popular with hikers, the summit offers unsurpassed views of Lake Winnipesaukee. The highest point in Alton is the north peak of Straightback Mountain, at 1910 ft (582.2 m), just west of Mount Major. Both mountains are part of the Belknap Mountains range. Alton lies almost fully within the Merrimack River
Merrimack River
The Merrimack River is a river in the northeastern United States. It rises at the confluence of the Pemigewasset and Winnipesaukee rivers in Franklin, New Hampshire, flows southward into Massachusetts, and then flows northeast until it empties into the Atlantic Ocean at Newburyport...
watershed
Drainage basin
A drainage basin is an extent or an area of land where surface water from rain and melting snow or ice converges to a single point, usually the exit of the basin, where the waters join another waterbody, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean...
, though a tiny corner is in the Piscataqua River
Piscataqua River
The Piscataqua River, in the northeastern United States, is a long tidal estuary formed by the confluence of the Salmon Falls and Cocheco rivers...
(coastal) watershed.
The town is served by state routes 11
New Hampshire Route 11
New Hampshire Route 11 is a long east–west state highway in New Hampshire, running westward along the southern shore of Lake Winnipesaukee. Its eastern terminus is at the Maine state line in the city of Rochester, where it continues north as Maine State Route 11. U.S. Route 202, which runs...
, 28
New Hampshire Route 28
New Hampshire Route 28 is an north–south state highway in southeastern New Hampshire. It connects the town of Ossipee in east-central New Hampshire with Salem on the Massachusetts border....
and 140
New Hampshire Route 140
New Hampshire Route 140 is a long east–west state highway in New Hampshire. It runs from Tilton to Alton.The western terminus of NH 140 is in Tilton at U.S. Route 3 and New Hampshire Route 11. The eastern terminus is in Alton at NH 11 and New Hampshire Route 28A . In Alton, the road is named the...
.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 4,502 people, 1,825 households, and 1,295 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 71.3 people per square mile (27.5/km²). There were 3,522 housing units at an average density of 55.8 per square mile (21.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.76% White, 0.07% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.07% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.53% of the population.
There were 1,825 households out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.7% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the town the population was spread out with 23.8% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 28.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 98.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $43,451, and the median income for a family was $46,467. Males had a median income of $37,585 versus $29,375 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $25,940. About 5.4% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.4% of those under age 18 and 2.5% of those age 65 or over.
Sites of interest
- Alton Historical Society & Museum
- Harold S. Gilman Museum
- Alton BayAlton Bay, New HampshireAlton Bay is an unincorporated village in the town of Alton, New Hampshire, located on Alton Bay, a cove of Lake Winnipesaukee which forms the southeasternmost point on the lake. The village is part of the Lakes Region, a popular resort area of New Hampshire....
, with an arcade, mini-golf, ice cream shop, multiple areas to eat, a marina, and other attractions
Notable people
- Joel BeanJoel BeanJoel Bean was a Quaker minister whose name has been associated with a branch of Quakerism that some label “Beanite.”...
, founder of Beanite QuakerismBeanite QuakerismBeanite Quakerism refers to the independent tradition of Quakerism started by Quaker ministers Joel and Hannah Bean in the western United States in the late 19th century, and in a more specific sense refers to the three Western yearly meetings that spring from that tradition.The Beans were... - Bobby Carpenter, former ice hockey center with the NHLNational Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
- George Franklin DrewGeorge Franklin DrewGeorge Franklin Drew was the 12th Governor of the U.S. state of Florida.Born in Alton, New Hampshire, he moved to the south, opening a machine shop in Columbus, Georgia in 1847. In 1865, he opened the largest sawmill in Florida in Ellaville...
, 12th Governor of Florida - Florence HolwayFlorence HolwayFlorence Holway was a 75-year-old woman who was raped and sodomized on March 31, 1991, in her Alton, New Hampshire home. Her subsequent fight for justice ultimately resulted in changes to that state's rape laws and is the subject of a 2003 HBO documentary entitled Rape in a Small Town: The...
, rape victim, subject of a 2003 HBO documentary - Al JolsonAl JolsonAl Jolson was an American singer, comedian and actor. In his heyday, he was dubbed "The World's Greatest Entertainer"....
, early 20th century entertainer (summer resident) - Steve LeachSteve LeachStephen Morgan Leach is an American ice hockey coach and former professional ice hockey player. He is currently the head coach of the Valley Jr. Warriors '99 Elite squad.-Playing career:...
, former ice hockey right wing with the NHLNational Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... - Don SweeneyDon SweeneyDonald Clarke Sweeney is a former ice hockey player for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League. He is presently with the Bruins as the assistant general manager.-Playing career:...
, former ice hockey defenceman with the NHLNational Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...