Alton, New Hampshire

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


image_

imagesize =
image_caption =

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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location in Belknap 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 = Belknap
government_type =
leader_title = Board of Selectmen
leader_name = Bill Curtin
Steve McMahon
Alan Sherwood - Chairman
Pat Fuller
Peter S. Bolster
established_title = Incorporated
established_date =
area_magnitude = 1 E8
area_total_km2 = 212.9
area_total_sq_mi = 82.2
area_land_km2 = 163.5
area_land_sq_mi = 63.1
area_water_km2 = 49.3
area_water_sq_mi = 19.0
area_water_percent = 23.18
population_as_of = 2000
population_note =
population_total = 4502
population_density_km2 = 27.5
population_density_sq_mi = 71.3
timezone = Eastern
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = Eastern
utc_offset_DST = -4
latd = 43 |latm = 27 |lats = 15 |latNS = N
longd = 71 |longm = 13 |longs = 11 |longEW = W
elevation_m = 171
elevation_ft = 560
website = [http://www.alton.nh.gov/ www.alton.nh.gov]
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 03809
area_code = 603
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 33-01060
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0873530
footnotes =

Alton is a town in Belknap County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 4,502 at the 2000 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.

History

Originally called "New Durham Gore" because of rocky upland areas, or "gores," the town was settled in the middle 1770s, mainly by farmers because the highland areas provided less frost. 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 for the Alton family.

By 1840, the village of Alton existed at the town's center. In 1847, railways began bringing passengers and freight to Alton Village and Alton Bay. Various businesses flourished, the most famous being the "Rockwell Clough Company", established in 1875, inventor and manufacturer of the corkscrew. By 1903, the company was producing 30 million of these gadgets worldwide.

Since the mid-1800s, however, tourism has been the principal business. In 1863, the "Adventist Campground" held their first camp meeting at Alton Bay. In 1872, the Boston and 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, but the old station at Alton Bay is now a community center.

Notable Inhabitants

* Joel Bean, Quaker minister
* Bobby Carpenter, professional ice hockey player
* Al Jolson, entertainer (summer resident)
* Steve Leach, professional ice hockey player
* Don Sweeney, professional ice hockey player

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of convert|82.2|sqmi|km2, of which convert|63.1|sqmi|km2|abbr=on is land and convert|19.0|sqmi|km2|abbr=on 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 convert|1780|ft|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 convert|1910|ft|m|abbr=on, 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.cite book |title=Water Use in New Hampshire: An Activities Guide for Teachers |url=http://nh.water.usgs.gov/Publications/nh.intro.html |last=Foster |first=Debra H. |coauthors=Batorfalvy, Tatianna N.; and Medalie, Laura |publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Geological Survey |year=1995]

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 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/sq mi (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.

Sites of Interest

* [http://www.alton.nh.gov/museum.asp Harold S. Gilman Museum]
* Alton Bay, with an arcade, mini-golf, ice cream shop, multiple areas to eat, a marina, and other attractions.

References

External links

* [http://www.alton.nh.gov Town website]
* [http://www.alton.nh.gov/library.asp Gilman Library]
* [http://www.nh.gov/nhes/elmi/htmlprofiles/alton.html New Hampshire Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau Profile]