Littleton, New Hampshire
Encyclopedia
Littleton is a town in Grafton County
, New Hampshire
, United States
. The population was 5,928 at the 2010 census. Situated at the edge of the White Mountains
, Littleton is bounded on the northwest by the Connecticut River
.
The primary settlement in town, where 4,412 people resided at the 2010 census, is defined as the Littleton census-designated place
(CDP), and is centered around the intersection of U.S. Route 302
with New Hampshire Route 116
, along the Ammonoosuc River
.
for "Cheese Farm") in 1764, the area was settled in 1769. The town was part of Lisbon
until 1770, when it was granted as Apthorp in honor of George Apthorp, head of one of the wealthiest mercantile establishments in Boston, Massachusetts. The land was later passed to the Apthorp family's associates from Newburyport, Massachusetts
, headed by Colonel Moses Little
. Colonel Little held the post of Surveyor of the King's Woods, and the town was named in his honor when it was incorporated in 1784, the same year New Hampshire
became a state.
Located along the banks of the Ammonoosuc River is the Littleton Grist Mill. The historic mill first opened in 1798, and has been fully restored to its original appearance. Between 1867 and 1909, the local Kilburn Brothers factory published photographs, stereoviews, and sold stereoscopes, double-picture viewers popular in the Victorian age.
, the town has a total area of 54.1 square miles (140.1 km²), of which 50.1 square miles (129.8 km²) is land and 4 square miles (10.4 km²) is water, comprising 7.41% of the town. The main village of Littleton, a census-designated place
, has a total area of 8.6 square miles (22.3 km²), of which 0.12% is water.
Littleton is drained by the Ammonoosuc River
. The Moore Dam on the Connecticut River
forms Moore Reservoir
in the north. The highest point in the town is the summit of Towns Mountain, at 2203 feet (671.5 m) above sea level
.
of 2000, there were 5,845 people, 2,514 households, and 1,588 families residing in the town. The population density
was 116.3 people per square mile (44.9/km²). There were 2,746 housing units at an average density of 21.1 persons/km² (54.7 persons/sq mi). The racial makeup of the town was 96.54% White, 0.38% African American
, 0.56% Native American, 0.84% Asia
n, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.60% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races. 1.45% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 2,514 households out of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.0% were married couples
living together, 11.5% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 36.8% were non-families. 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 26.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 89.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $35,887, and the median income for a family was $49,915. Males had a median income of $29,081 versus $21,335 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $18,803. 11.4% of the population and 8.6% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 12.7% are under the age of 18 and 17.9% are 65 or older.
of 2000, there were 4,431 people, 1,956 households, and 1,169 families residing in the main village, or census-designated place
, of Littleton. The population density
was 514.8 people per square mile (198.7/km²). There were 2,093 housing units at an average density of 93.9 persons/km² (243.2 persons/sq mi). The racial makeup of the town was 96.12% White, 0.32% African American
, 0.72% Native American, 0.90% Asia
n, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.77% from other races, and 1.17% from two or more races. 1.65% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 1,956 households out of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.6% were married couples
living together, 12.5% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 40.2% were non-families. 34.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.88.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 86.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $32,674, and the median income for a family was $50,478. Males had a median income of $28,000 versus $20,576 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $17,843. 12.4% of the population and 8.9% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 12.8% are under the age of 18 and 22.3% are 65 or older.
, and a fourth exit serves the western end of town near the Vermont border. U.S. Route 302
runs east-west through the town center as its Main Street. As of January 2006 Littleton is also served by a public transportation bus route connecting with Whitefield
and Lancaster
.
Grafton County, New Hampshire
Grafton County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Hampshire. As of the 2010 census, the population was 89,118. Its county seat is North Haverhill, which is a village within the town of Haverhill. Until 1972, the county courthouse and other offices were located in downtown Woodsville, a...
, 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
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 5,928 at the 2010 census. Situated at the edge of the White Mountains
White Mountains (New Hampshire)
The White Mountains are a mountain range covering about a quarter of the state of New Hampshire and a small portion of western Maine in the United States. Part of the Appalachian Mountains, they are considered the most rugged mountains in New England...
, Littleton is bounded on the northwest by the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
.
The primary settlement in town, where 4,412 people resided at the 2010 census, is defined as the Littleton 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 around the intersection of U.S. Route 302
U.S. Route 302
U.S. Route 302 is a spur of U.S. Route 2. It currently runs 171 miles north from Portland, Maine, at U.S. Route 1, to Montpelier, Vermont, at US 2...
with New Hampshire Route 116
New Hampshire Route 116
New Hampshire Route 116 is a long east–west highway in northern New Hampshire. NH 116 is a scenic rural highway stretching from Haverhill, which lies along the Connecticut River, to Jefferson, in the White Mountains Region....
, along the Ammonoosuc River
Ammonoosuc River
The Ammonoosuc River is a river, 55 mi long, in northwestern New Hampshire in the United States. It is a tributary of the Connecticut River, which flows to Long Island Sound. "Ammonoosuc" is Abnaki for "small, narrow fishing place"....
.
History
Called Chiswick (SaxonOld English language
Old English or Anglo-Saxon is an early form of the English language that was spoken and written by the Anglo-Saxons and their descendants in parts of what are now England and southeastern Scotland between at least the mid-5th century and the mid-12th century...
for "Cheese Farm") in 1764, the area was settled in 1769. The town was part of Lisbon
Lisbon, New Hampshire
Lisbon is a town in Grafton County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 1,595 at the 2010 census. Lisbon hosts an annual "Lilac Festival" on Memorial Day weekend....
until 1770, when it was granted as Apthorp in honor of George Apthorp, head of one of the wealthiest mercantile establishments in Boston, Massachusetts. The land was later passed to the Apthorp family's associates from Newburyport, Massachusetts
Newburyport, Massachusetts
Newburyport is a small coastal city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States, 35 miles northeast of Boston. The population was 21,189 at the 2000 census. A historic seaport with a vibrant tourism industry, Newburyport includes part of Plum Island...
, headed by Colonel Moses Little
Moses Little
Moses Little , born on May 8, 1724 in Newbury, Massachusetts. Moses Little served in the Massachusetts militia and with his company marched to the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775...
. Colonel Little held the post of Surveyor of the King's Woods, and the town was named in his honor when it was incorporated in 1784, the same year 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...
became a state.
Located along the banks of the Ammonoosuc River is the Littleton Grist Mill. The historic mill first opened in 1798, and has been fully restored to its original appearance. Between 1867 and 1909, the local Kilburn Brothers factory published photographs, stereoviews, and sold stereoscopes, double-picture viewers popular in the Victorian age.
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 54.1 square miles (140.1 km²), of which 50.1 square miles (129.8 km²) is land and 4 square miles (10.4 km²) is water, comprising 7.41% of the town. The main village of Littleton, a 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...
, has a total area of 8.6 square miles (22.3 km²), of which 0.12% is water.
Littleton is drained by the Ammonoosuc River
Ammonoosuc River
The Ammonoosuc River is a river, 55 mi long, in northwestern New Hampshire in the United States. It is a tributary of the Connecticut River, which flows to Long Island Sound. "Ammonoosuc" is Abnaki for "small, narrow fishing place"....
. The Moore Dam on the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
forms Moore Reservoir
Moore Reservoir
Moore Reservoir is an impoundment on the Connecticut River located in the communities of Littleton, New Hampshire; Dalton, New Hampshire; Waterford, Vermont; and Concord, Vermont. It occupies approximately . It was created by the completion of the Moore Dam in 1956, which caused the flooding of...
in the north. The highest point in the town is the summit of Towns Mountain, at 2203 feet (671.5 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...
.
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 5,845 people, 2,514 households, and 1,588 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 116.3 people per square mile (44.9/km²). There were 2,746 housing units at an average density of 21.1 persons/km² (54.7 persons/sq mi). The racial makeup of the town was 96.54% White, 0.38% African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
, 0.56% Native American, 0.84% Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
n, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.60% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races. 1.45% of the population were Hispanic
Hispanic
Hispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...
or Latino
Latino
The demonyms Latino and Latina , are defined in English language dictionaries as:* "a person of Latin-American descent."* "A Latin American."* "A person of Hispanic, especially Latin-American, descent, often one living in the United States."...
of any race.
There were 2,514 households out of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.0% 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, 11.5% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 36.8% were non-families. 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 26.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 89.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $35,887, and the median income for a family was $49,915. Males had a median income of $29,081 versus $21,335 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 $18,803. 11.4% of the population and 8.6% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 12.7% are under the age of 18 and 17.9% are 65 or older.
Town center
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 4,431 people, 1,956 households, and 1,169 families residing in the main village, or 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...
, of Littleton. 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 514.8 people per square mile (198.7/km²). There were 2,093 housing units at an average density of 93.9 persons/km² (243.2 persons/sq mi). The racial makeup of the town was 96.12% White, 0.32% African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
, 0.72% Native American, 0.90% Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
n, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.77% from other races, and 1.17% from two or more races. 1.65% of the population were Hispanic
Hispanic
Hispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...
or Latino
Latino
The demonyms Latino and Latina , are defined in English language dictionaries as:* "a person of Latin-American descent."* "A Latin American."* "A person of Hispanic, especially Latin-American, descent, often one living in the United States."...
of any race.
There were 1,956 households out of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.6% 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, 12.5% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 40.2% were non-families. 34.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.88.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 86.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $32,674, and the median income for a family was $50,478. Males had a median income of $28,000 versus $20,576 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 $17,843. 12.4% of the population and 8.9% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 12.8% are under the age of 18 and 22.3% are 65 or older.
Sites of interest
- Bronze statue of Eleanor H. Porter's famous creation, Pollyanna. Downtown; unveiled 2002
- Chutters Candy Store - claims to have "The Longest Candy Counter in the World"
- Kilburn Brothers Building - Where stereo view cards were made
- The River Walk and Covered Bridge
- Downtown Historical Walk (marked by plaques on or near various buildings along Main Street)
- Littleton Opera House
- The Littleton Grist Mill
- Littleton Coin CompanyLittleton Coin CompanyLittleton Coin Company is a privately held major American mail order and retail company focused on numismatic collectibles and based in Littleton, New Hampshire. The company focuses largely on U.S. coins and world coins, as well as a variety of paper money and ancient coins...
- Littleton Farmers Market, July to October, on Sundays
Transportation
The center of Littleton is accessible from three exits of Interstate 93Interstate 93
Interstate 93 is an Interstate Highway in the New England section of the United States. Its southern terminus is in Canton, Massachusetts, in the Boston metropolitan area, at Interstate 95; its northern terminus is near St. Johnsbury, Vermont, at Interstate 91...
, and a fourth exit serves the western end of town near the Vermont border. U.S. Route 302
U.S. Route 302
U.S. Route 302 is a spur of U.S. Route 2. It currently runs 171 miles north from Portland, Maine, at U.S. Route 1, to Montpelier, Vermont, at US 2...
runs east-west through the town center as its Main Street. As of January 2006 Littleton is also served by a public transportation bus route connecting with Whitefield
Whitefield, New Hampshire
Whitefield is a town in Coos County, New Hampshire, USA, in the White Mountains Region. The population was 2,306 at the 2010 census. Situated on the northern edge of the White Mountains, Whitefield is home to the Mount Washington Regional Airport and the White Mountains Regional High...
and Lancaster
Lancaster, New Hampshire
Lancaster is a town in Coos County, New Hampshire, USA, on the Connecticut River named after Lancaster, England. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 3,507, the second largest in the county after Berlin. It is the county seat of Coos County and gateway to the Great North Woods Region...
.
Notable inhabitants
- GG AllinGG AllinKevin Michael "GG" Allin was an American punk rock singer-songwriter, who performed and recorded with many groups during his career. GG Allin is perhaps best remembered for his notorious live performances, which often featured transgressive acts, including coprophagia, self-mutilation, and...
, shock rocker; buried in Littleton - Rich GaleRich GaleRichard Blackwell Gale is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played with four different teams between and . Listed at 6'7", 225 lb., Gale batted and threw right-handed. From to , he served as pitching coach for the Boston Red Sox...
, major league pitcherPitcherIn baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the... - Hugh GallenHugh GallenHugh J. Gallen was an American automobile dealer and Democratic politician from Littleton, New Hampshire. After serving in the New Hampshire House of Representatives, he won two terms as Governor....
, 83rd governor of New Hampshire - Geoffrey HendricksGeoffrey HendricksGeoffrey Hendricks is an American artist associated with Fluxus since the mid 1960s, and has styled himself as "cloudsmith" for his extensive work with sky imagery in paintings, on objects, in installations and performances. Hendricks was born in Littleton, New Hampshire in 1931...
, artist - Benjamin W. KilburnBenjamin W. KilburnBenjamin West Kilburn was an American photographer and stereoscopic view publisher famous for his landscape images of the nascent American and Canadian state, provincial, and national parks and his visual record of the great migrations at the end of the nineteenth century...
, machinist, veteran, photographer, stereoscopic publisher - Eleanor H. PorterEleanor H. Porter-Biography:She was born as Eleanor Hodgman in Littleton, New Hampshire on December 19, 1868, the daughter of Francis Fletcher Hodgman and Llewella Woolson. She was trained as a singer, attending New England Conservatory for several years, but later turned to writing. In 1892, she married John Lyman...
, author of PollyannaPollyannaPollyanna is a best-selling 1913 novel by Eleanor H. Porter that is now considered a classic of children's literature, with the title character's name becoming a popular term for someone with the same optimistic outlook. The book was such a success, that Porter soon produced a sequel, Pollyanna...
and Pollyanna Grows UpPollyanna Grows UpPollyanna Grows Up is a 1915 children's novel by Eleanor H. Porter. It is the first of many sequels to Porter's best-selling Pollyanna , but is the only one written by Porter herself; the numerous later additions to the Pollyanna franchise were the work of other authors.-Plot...