Littleton, New Hampshire

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Littleton, New Hampshire
nickname =
motto =


image_

imagesize =
image_caption =

---

mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location in Grafton County, New Hampshire
settlement_type = Town


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = New Hampshire
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Grafton
government_type =
leader_title = Board of Selectmen
leader_name = George Hicks, Chairman
Burton Ingerson
Ed Farrell
established_title = Incorporated
established_date = 1784
area_magnitude = 1 E8
area_total_km2 = 140.1
area_total_sq_mi = 54.1
area_land_km2 = 130.1
area_land_sq_mi = 50.2
area_water_km2 = 10.0
area_water_sq_mi = 3.8
area_water_percent = 7.12
population_as_of = 2000
population_note =
population_total = 5,845
population_density_km2 = 44.9
population_density_sq_mi = 116.3
timezone = Eastern
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = Eastern
utc_offset_DST = -4
latd = 44 |latm = 18 |lats = 22 |latNS = N
longd = 71 |longm = 46 |longs = 12 |longEW = W
elevation_m = 250
elevation_ft = 820
website = [http://www.townoflittleton.org/ www.townoflittleton.org]
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 03561
area_code = 603
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 33-42580
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0873649
footnotes =

Littleton is a town in Grafton County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 5,845 at the 2000 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 over 75% of the population resides, 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.

History

Called "Chiswick" in 1764, the area was settled in 1769. The name "Chiswick" is of Saxon origin and means "Cheese Farm".

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.

Notable Inhabitants

* Benjamin W. Kilburn, machinist, veteran, photographer, stereoscopic publisher
* Eleanor H. Porter, author of "Pollyanna" and "Pollyanna Grows Up"

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of convert|54.1|sqmi|km2, of which convert|50.2|sqmi|km2|abbr=on is land and convert|3.8|sqmi|km2|abbr=on is water, comprising 7.12% of the town. The main village of Littleton, a census-designated place, has a total area of convert|8.6|sqmi|km2|abbr=on, 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 convert|2203|ft|m above sea level.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000GR|2, 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% Asian, 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.

Town center

As of the census 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% Asian, 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.

Sites of Interest

* Bronze statue of Eleanor H. Porter's famous creation, Pollyanna. Downtown; unveiled 2002.
* Chutters Candy Store - The Longest Candy Counter in the World
* Kilburn Brothers Building - Where stero view cards were made.
* The River Walk and Covered Bridge
* Downtown Historical Walk - Note Plaques
* Littleton Opera House
* The Littleton Grist Mill

Transportation

The center of Littleton is accessible from three exits of Interstate 93, 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 ( [http://www.tccap.org/the_tri-town.htm TheTri-Town Bus] ) connecting with Whitefield and Lancaster.

References

External links

* [http://www.townoflittleton.org Town website]
* [http://www.littletonareachamber.com/ Littleton Area Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.golittleton.com/ Littleton Information and Activities]
* [http://www.ncia.net/library/littleton/ Littleton Public Library]
* [http://familystacks.com/family/Littleton.htm Families of the White Mountain Railroad] , images and genealogy
* [http://www.nh.gov/nhes/elmi/htmlprofiles/littleton.html New Hampshire Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau Profile]