Washington, New Hampshire

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


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imagesize =
image_caption =

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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location in Sullivan 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 = Sullivan
government_type =
leader_title = Board of Selectmen
leader_name = Guy Eaton, Chair
Thomas Taylor
Richard Cook
established_title = Incorporated
established_date = 1776
area_magnitude = 1 E8
area_total_km2 = 123.4
area_total_sq_mi = 47.6
area_land_km2 = 117.7
area_land_sq_mi = 45.4
area_water_km2 = 5.7
area_water_sq_mi = 2.2
area_water_percent = 4.62
population_as_of = 2000
population_note =
population_total = 895
population_density_km2 = 7.6
population_density_sq_mi = 19.7
timezone = Eastern
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = Eastern
utc_offset_DST = -4
latd = 43 |latm = 10 |lats = 35 |latNS = N
longd = 72 |longm = 05 |longs = 51 |longEW = W
elevation_m = 459
elevation_ft = 1507
website = [http://www.washingtonnh.org/ www.washingtonnh.org]
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 03280
area_code = 603
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 33-78980
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0873747
footnotes =

Washington is a town in Sullivan County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 895 at the 2000 census. Situated in a hilly, rocky, forested area, and with 26 lakes and ponds, Washington is a picturesque resort area. It is home to Pillsbury State Park.

History

Granted in 1735 by Colonial Governor Jonathan Belcher of Massachusetts, the town was one of the fort towns designated to protect the colonies from Indian attack, named "Monadnock Number 8". In 1751, the town was granted by Governor Benning Wentworth as "New Concord". Never settled, the charter was revoked. Reuben Kidder of New Ipswich acquired the grant, naming it "Camden". The first settlers arrived in 1768 and built log houses. By 1773, the community had 132 inhabitants. On December 13, 1776, the newly established American revolutionary government incorporated the town as "Washington", after George Washington — the first named in his honor.

By 1830, the population had grown to 1,135. Using water power from the streams, mills manufactured lumber, barrel staves, shingles, chair parts, bobbins, whip sockets, hosiery, bricks and washboards. Gristmills ground grain. Sheep farms, producing wool and mutton, were an important business. In 1840, there were 200 farms. Tubbs Union Academy was founded in 1849, and although it did not last long, the school once enrolled over 100 students from New Hampshire and beyond. The first Seventh-day Adventist church was established in Washington in 1862. In 1886, the town produced 53 tons of maple sugar.

The railroad era brought tourists, and hotels were built on the lakes and ponds. But with 19th century migration to the Midwest, the town's population dwindled. In 1960, it contained only 162 inhabitants. Washington has grown since, as its scenic beauty attracts tourists and retirees. The town contains significant examples of early architecture, including the Town Hall, built as a meetinghouse in 1787, the Congregational Church built in 1840, and the first Seventh-day Adventist Church built around 1843.

Notable inhabitants

* Sylvanus Thayer, general, "the Father of West Point"

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of convert|47.6|sqmi|km2|lk=on|1, of which convert|45.4|sqmi|km2|abbr=on|1 is land and convert|2.2|sqmi|km2|abbr=on|1 is water, comprising 4.62% of the town. Ashuelot Pond is in the southwest, and part of Highland Lake is in the south. Lovewell Mountain, elevation convert|2496|ft|m|lk=on above sea level, is the highest point in town. As Edwin A. Charlton writes in "New Hampshire As It Is" (1855), the mountain "received its name from Captain John Lovewell, who was accustomed to ascend it for the purpose of discovering the wigwams of the Indians, and who, on one occasion, killed seven Indians near its summit." The Washington Town Common, elevation convert|1507|ft|m, is the highest town center in the state. (The town hall of Clarksville is located at a higher elevation—convert|1980|ft|m—but there is no other village development there.)

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 895 people, 370 households, and 277 families residing in the town. The population density was 19.7 people per square mile (7.6/km²). There were 925 housing units at an average density of 20.4/sq mi (7.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.21% White, 0.34% Native American, and 1.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.45% of the population.

There were 370 households out of which 24.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.8% were married couples living together, 4.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.9% were non-families. 19.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.73.

In the town the population was spread out with 21.9% under the age of 18, 3.5% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 32.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 104.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $43,125, and the median income for a family was $50,000. Males had a median income of $34,688 versus $26,333 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,540. About 3.1% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.1% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.

Sites of interest

* [http://www.ultimate.com/washington/whs/ Washington Historical Society & Museum]
* [http://www.gsinet.net/~shedd/ Shedd Free Library]
* [http://www.tagnet.org/washington/ Birthplace of the Seventh-day Adventist Church]

References

External links

* [http://www.washingtonnh.org Town website]
* [http://www.usgennet.org/usa/nh/county/sullivan/Wash-newindex.htm History of Washington, New Hampshire]
* [http://www.nhstateparks.org/state-parks/alphabetical-order/pillsbury-state-park Pillsbury State Park]
* [http://www.ultimate.com/washington/ Information on Washington, New Hampshire]
* [http://www.nh.gov/nhes/elmi/htmlprofiles/washington.html New Hampshire Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau Profile]