Ossipee, New Hampshire
Encyclopedia
Ossipee is a town
in Carroll County
, New Hampshire
, United States
. The population was 4,345 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat
of Carroll County
. Ossipee, which includes several villages, is a resort area and home to part of Pine River State Forest.
, one of the twelve Algonquian
tribes. It was once the site of an Indian stockade
fort, designed to protect the tribe from the Mohawks
in the west. In 1725, the Indian stockade was destroyed, and then rebuilt by Captain John Lovewell
. The new fort was one of the largest in New England
. On February 22, 1785, the legislature
incorporated Ossipee as a town.
Although the surface of the town is "rough and uneven, and in some parts rocky and mountainous," farmers found it suitable for pasturage, as well as for cultivating wheat
and potato
es. Principal goods were produce
, lumber
and cattle
. In 1859, when the population was 2,123, Ossipee contained twelve sawmill
s, five gristmill
s, twelve clapboard
and shingle mills, one bedstead factory, one door factory, a sash and blind
factory, one paper mill
and four tanneries
. The Portsmouth, Great Falls & Conway Railroad in 1871 reached Ossipee Corner, with service extended in 1875 to Center Ossipee
. The trains brought commerce and tourists, helping the town develop as a summer resort. Railroad service, however, would be discontinued in 1961 for passengers, and in 1972 for freight.
The town shares its name with the Ossipee Mountains
, a circular mountain range marking the location of an ancient volcanic ring dike
, which borders it on the west. Ossipee is a major source of sand
and gravel
, transported by railroad
to Boston, Massachusetts
.
, the town has a total area of 75.6 square miles (195.8 km²), of which 70.8 square miles (183.4 km²) is land and 4.8 square miles (12.4 km²) is water, comprising 6.37% of the town. Ossipee is drained by the Ossipee
, Pine
, Beech
, Bearcamp
and Lovell
rivers. Ossipee Lake
is in the northeastern part of the town. The highest point in Ossipee is 2080 feet (634 m) above sea level
on an unnamed ridge in the Ossipee Mountains in the western part of town.
The town is crossed by state routes 16
, 25
, 28
and 171
. It borders the towns of Freedom
and Effingham
to the northeast, Wakefield
to the southeast, Wolfeboro
, Tuftonboro
and Moultonborough
to the southwest, Tamworth
to the northwest and Madison
to the north.
The two primary settlements in town are Center Ossipee
, located near the southern junction of routes 16 and 25, and Ossipee Corner (shown as "Ossipee" on topographic maps), located 5 miles (8 km) south of Center Ossipee at the junction of routes 28 and 171 and close to Route 16. Other villages include West Ossipee, at the northern junction of routes 16 and 25 near the border with Tamworth; Moultonville, directly west of Center Ossipee; and Water Village, along Route 171 near the border with Tuftonboro.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 4,211 people, 1,672 households, and 1,153 families residing in the town. The population density
was 59.2 people per square mile (22.9/km²). There were 2,742 housing units at an average density of 38.5 per square mile (14.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.96% White, 0.14% African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.07% from other races
, and 1.23% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.33% of the population.
There were 1,672 households out of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.7% were married couples
living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 25.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the town the population was spread out with 23.9% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 26.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 99.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $34,709, and the median income for a family was $38,790. Males had a median income of $27,388 versus $21,579 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $18,092. About 7.7% of families and 10.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.0% of those under age 18 and 6.6% 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 Carroll County
Carroll County, New Hampshire
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 43,666 people, 18,351 households, and 12,313 families residing in the county. The population density was 18/km² . There were 34,750 housing units at an average density of 14/km²...
, 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 4,345 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Carroll County
Carroll County, New Hampshire
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 43,666 people, 18,351 households, and 12,313 families residing in the county. The population density was 18/km² . There were 34,750 housing units at an average density of 14/km²...
. Ossipee, which includes several villages, is a resort area and home to part of Pine River State Forest.
History
Originally known as Wigwam Village, and then New Garden, the town was named for the Ossipee IndiansIndigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
, one of the twelve Algonquian
Algonquian peoples
The Algonquian are one of the most populous and widespread North American native language groups, with tribes originally numbering in the hundreds. Today hundreds of thousands of individuals identify with various Algonquian peoples...
tribes. It was once the site of an Indian stockade
Stockade
A stockade is an enclosure of palisades and tall walls made of logs placed side by side vertically with the tops sharpened to provide security.-Stockade as a security fence:...
fort, designed to protect the tribe from the Mohawks
Mohawk nation
Mohawk are the most easterly tribe of the Iroquois confederation. They call themselves Kanien'gehaga, people of the place of the flint...
in the west. In 1725, the Indian stockade was destroyed, and then rebuilt by Captain John Lovewell
John Lovewell (Junior)
John Lovewell was a famous Ranger in the 18th century who fought during Dummer's War . He lived in present-day Nashua, New Hampshire...
. The new fort was one of the largest in New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
. On February 22, 1785, the legislature
New Hampshire General Court
The General Court of New Hampshire is the bicameral state legislature of the U.S. state of New Hampshire. The lower house is the New Hampshire House of Representatives with 400 members. The upper house is the New Hampshire Senate with 24 members...
incorporated Ossipee as a town.
Although the surface of the town is "rough and uneven, and in some parts rocky and mountainous," farmers found it suitable for pasturage, as well as for cultivating wheat
Wheat
Wheat is a cereal grain, originally from the Levant region of the Near East, but now cultivated worldwide. In 2007 world production of wheat was 607 million tons, making it the third most-produced cereal after maize and rice...
and potato
Potato
The potato is a starchy, tuberous crop from the perennial Solanum tuberosum of the Solanaceae family . The word potato may refer to the plant itself as well as the edible tuber. In the region of the Andes, there are some other closely related cultivated potato species...
es. Principal goods were produce
Produce
Produce is a generalized term for a group of farm-produced goods and, not limited to fruits and vegetables . More specifically, the term "produce" often implies that the products are fresh and generally in the same state as where they were harvested. In supermarkets the term is also used to refer...
, lumber
Lumber
Lumber or timber is wood in any of its stages from felling through readiness for use as structural material for construction, or wood pulp for paper production....
and cattle
Cattle
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
. In 1859, when the population was 2,123, Ossipee contained twelve 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, five 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, twelve clapboard
Clapboard (architecture)
Clapboard, also known as bevel siding or lap siding or weather-board , is a board used typically for exterior horizontal siding that has one edge thicker than the other and where the board above laps over the one below...
and shingle mills, one bedstead factory, one door factory, a sash and blind
Window shutter
A window shutter is a solid and stable window covering usually consisting of a frame of vertical stiles and horizontal rails...
factory, one paper mill
Paper mill
A paper mill is a factory devoted to making paper from vegetable fibres such as wood pulp, old rags and other ingredients using a Fourdrinier machine or other type of paper machine.- History :...
and four tanneries
Tanning
Tanning is the making of leather from the skins of animals which does not easily decompose. Traditionally, tanning used tannin, an acidic chemical compound from which the tanning process draws its name . Coloring may occur during tanning...
. The Portsmouth, Great Falls & Conway Railroad in 1871 reached Ossipee Corner, with service extended in 1875 to Center Ossipee
Center Ossipee, New Hampshire
Center Ossipee is a census-designated place in the town of Ossipee in Carroll County, New Hampshire. The population was 561 at the 2010 census. It is one of two major villages in the town, the other being Ossipee Corner .New Hampshire Route 16 and Route 25 bypass the village to the east...
. The trains brought commerce and tourists, helping the town develop as a summer resort. Railroad service, however, would be discontinued in 1961 for passengers, and in 1972 for freight.
The town shares its name with the Ossipee Mountains
Ossipee Mountains
The Ossipee Mountains are located just south of the White Mountains of New Hampshire, United States. Mount Shaw, at , is the highest point in the range.-Geology and physiography:...
, a circular mountain range marking the location of an ancient volcanic ring dike
Ring dike
A ring dike or ring dyke in geology refers to an intrusive igneous body. Their chemistry, petrology and field appearance precisely match those of dikes or sill, but their concentric or radial geometric distribution around a centre of volcanic activity indicates their subvolcanic origins.-Notable...
, which borders it on the west. Ossipee is a major source of sand
Sand
Sand is a naturally occurring granular material composed of finely divided rock and mineral particles.The composition of sand is highly variable, depending on the local rock sources and conditions, but the most common constituent of sand in inland continental settings and non-tropical coastal...
and gravel
Gravel
Gravel is composed of unconsolidated rock fragments that have a general particle size range and include size classes from granule- to boulder-sized fragments. Gravel can be sub-categorized into granule and cobble...
, transported by railroad
New Hampshire Northcoast Corporation
The New Hampshire Northcoast Corporation operates part of the former Boston and Maine Corporation's Conway Branch between Rollinsford and Ossipee, New Hampshire. The railroad's primary traffic is quarried sand...
to Boston, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
.
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 75.6 square miles (195.8 km²), of which 70.8 square miles (183.4 km²) is land and 4.8 square miles (12.4 km²) is water, comprising 6.37% of the town. Ossipee is drained by the Ossipee
Ossipee River
The Ossipee River is an river in eastern New Hampshire and western Maine in the United States. It is a tributary of the Saco River, which flows southeast to the Atlantic Ocean at Saco, Maine....
, Pine
Pine River (New Hampshire)
The Pine River is a 19.2 mile long river located in eastern New Hampshire in the United States. It is a tributary of Ossipee Lake, part of the Saco River watershed leading to the Atlantic Ocean.- Course :...
, Beech
Beech River (New Hampshire)
The Beech River is a 13.1 mile long river located in eastern New Hampshire in the United States. It is a tributary of the Pine River, part of the Ossipee Lake / Saco River watershed leading to the Atlantic Ocean....
, Bearcamp
Bearcamp River
The Bearcamp River is a 26.3 mile long river at the southern edge of the White Mountains in New Hampshire, the United States. It is the largest tributary of Ossipee Lake, part of the Saco River watershed leading to the Atlantic Ocean....
and Lovell
Lovell River
The Lovell River is a 9.5 mile long river located in eastern New Hampshire in the United States. It is a tributary of Ossipee Lake, part of the Saco River watershed leading to the Atlantic Ocean....
rivers. Ossipee Lake
Ossipee Lake
Ossipee Lake is located in Carroll County in eastern New Hampshire, in the communities of Ossipee and Freedom. At 3,245 acres, it is the sixth-largest lake located entirely in New Hampshire. The lake is fed by the West Branch , the Bearcamp and Lovell rivers , and the Pine River...
is in the northeastern part of the town. The highest point in Ossipee is 2080 feet (634 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...
on an unnamed ridge in the Ossipee Mountains in the western part of town.
The town is crossed by state routes 16
New Hampshire Route 16
New Hampshire Route 16 is a long north–south highway in the U.S. state of New Hampshire. Much of its length is close to the border with Maine. NH 16 is the main route from the Seacoast region north to the Lakes Region and the White Mountains. The section from Portsmouth to Milton is a...
, 25
New Hampshire Route 25
New Hampshire Route 25 is a long east–west state highway in New Hampshire. It runs completely across the state from Vermont to Maine.The western terminus of Route 25 is at the Vermont state line on the Connecticut River in Piermont, where the road continues west as Vermont Route 25...
, 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 171
New Hampshire Route 171
New Hampshire Route 171 is a long secondary east–west highway in the Lakes Region in east-central New Hampshire. The road runs from Ossipee to Moultonborough....
. It borders the towns of Freedom
Freedom, New Hampshire
Freedom is a town located in Carroll County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 1,489 at the 2010 census. The town's eastern boundary runs along the Maine state border. Ossipee Lake, with a resort and camps, is in the southwest of the town....
and Effingham
Effingham, New Hampshire
Effingham is a town in Carroll County, New Hampshire, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 1,465. Effingham includes the villages of Effingham Falls, Effingham , Center Effingham , and South Effingham...
to the northeast, Wakefield
Wakefield, New Hampshire
Wakefield is a town in Carroll County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 5,078 at the 2010 census. The town includes the villages of Wakefield Corner , East Wakefield, North Wakefield, Sanbornville, Union, Woodman and Province Lake...
to the southeast, Wolfeboro
Wolfeboro, New Hampshire
Wolfeboro is a town in Carroll County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 6,269 at the 2010 census. A venerable resort area situated beside Lake Winnipesaukee, Wolfeboro includes the village of Wolfeboro Falls...
, Tuftonboro
Tuftonboro, New Hampshire
Tuftonboro is a town in Carroll County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 2,387 at the 2010 census. Bounded on the southwest by Lake Winnipesaukee, Tuftonboro includes the villages of Tuftonboro Corner, Center Tuftonboro, Melvin Corner, Melvin Village and Mirror...
and Moultonborough
Moultonborough, New Hampshire
Moultonborough is a town in Carroll County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 4,044 at the 2010 census. Moultonborough is bounded in part by Lake Winnipesaukee in the southwest and Squam Lake in the northwest corner...
to the southwest, Tamworth
Tamworth, New Hampshire
Tamworth is a town in Carroll County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 2,856 at the 2010 census. Tamworth includes the villages of Chocorua, South Tamworth, Wonalancet, and Whittier. The White Mountain National Forest is to the north...
to the northwest and Madison
Madison, New Hampshire
Madison is a town in Carroll County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 2,502 at the 2010 census. Madison includes the village of Silver Lake.- History :...
to the north.
The two primary settlements in town are Center Ossipee
Center Ossipee, New Hampshire
Center Ossipee is a census-designated place in the town of Ossipee in Carroll County, New Hampshire. The population was 561 at the 2010 census. It is one of two major villages in the town, the other being Ossipee Corner .New Hampshire Route 16 and Route 25 bypass the village to the east...
, located near the southern junction of routes 16 and 25, and Ossipee Corner (shown as "Ossipee" on topographic maps), located 5 miles (8 km) south of Center Ossipee at the junction of routes 28 and 171 and close to Route 16. Other villages include West Ossipee, at the northern junction of routes 16 and 25 near the border with Tamworth; Moultonville, directly west of Center Ossipee; and Water Village, along Route 171 near the border with Tuftonboro.
Demographics
Census
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 4,211 people, 1,672 households, and 1,153 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 59.2 people per square mile (22.9/km²). There were 2,742 housing units at an average density of 38.5 per square mile (14.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.96% White, 0.14% African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 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 1.23% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.33% of the population.
There were 1,672 households out of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.7% 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, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 25.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.90.
The median income for a household in the town was $34,709, and the median income for a family was $38,790. Males had a median income of $27,388 versus $21,579 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 $18,092. About 7.7% of families and 10.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.0% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.
Sites of interest
- Ossipee Historical Society Museum
- Ossipee LakeOssipee LakeOssipee Lake is located in Carroll County in eastern New Hampshire, in the communities of Ossipee and Freedom. At 3,245 acres, it is the sixth-largest lake located entirely in New Hampshire. The lake is fed by the West Branch , the Bearcamp and Lovell rivers , and the Pine River...
- Ossipee Pine Barrens
- Stimson State Forest
Notable inhabitants
- Dale BozzioDale BozzioDale Bozzio, born Dale Frances Consalvi in Medford, Massachusetts March 2, 1955, is an American progressive rock and new wave vocalist. She is best known as co-founder and lead singer of the 1980s pop/new wave band Missing Persons. She is also known for her work with Frank Zappa...
, lead singer of 1980s band Missing Persons - Fred H. BrownFred H. BrownFred Herbert Brown was an American lawyer and Democratic politician from Somersworth, New Hampshire. He served as mayor of Somersworth and as United States Attorney for New Hampshire before his term as Governor of New Hampshire from 1923 to 1925, and later served in the United States Senate.Brown...
, governor of New Hampshire, U.S. senator - Captain John LovewellJohn Lovewell (Junior)John Lovewell was a famous Ranger in the 18th century who fought during Dummer's War . He lived in present-day Nashua, New Hampshire...
, soldier - Chester Earl MerrowChester Earl MerrowChester Earl Merrow was a U.S. Representative from New Hampshire.Born in Center Ossipee, New Hampshire, Merrow attended the public schools and Brewster Free Academy in Wolfeboro from 1921 to 1925...
, congressman - William B. SmallWilliam B. SmallWilliam Bradbury Small was a U.S. Representative from New Hampshire.Born in Limington, Maine, Small moved with his parents to Ossipee, New Hampshire. He attended the public schools and Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, New Hampshire...
, congressman - John Greenleaf WhittierJohn Greenleaf WhittierJohn Greenleaf Whittier was an influential American Quaker poet and ardent advocate of the abolition of slavery in the United States. He is usually listed as one of the Fireside Poets...
, poet (summer resident)