Pittsfield, NH 03263

 

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Northwood NH 03261

Index of Interesting Non-Commercial

Links and Information

 

 

Northwood, New Hampshire - 032631- homes, jobs, history.

Non-commercial, non-government, private homeowner's town Northwood web site

 

presented by: Paul Oman 2013

 
 


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Welcome to Northwood, NH -- zip code 03261

This page is dedicated to directing you toward internet articles on various aspects of this community. It is a non-commercial, non-government web site with lots of pictures and local insider information. It is created and maintained by a Northwood, NH property owner in his spare time, just for the fun of it. We hope you enjoy it!


Northwood is approximately midway on Route 4 between the coastal sections of New Hampshire (Porthsmouth and I-95) and the mid state area defined by Concord, the state capital. Folks in Northwood have jobs in Concord, along the seacoast, and a lucky few, work in town or locally. Route 4 in Northwood is known as Antique Alley. It is full of antique shops with lake views along the way. The community has 5 lakes. Harvey Lake is next to the smallest. - Click Here for a Harvy Lake photo tour. The link also includes climate and weather data for Northwood.

There is a lot more to the community than the strip along Route 4 that everyone uses as they pass through the town or use the communities shops, store and schools (which are also located along Route 4). Old, historic Northwood consisted of several small subcommunities, now blended together. Today, the original Main Street and old city center are just a turn-off on Route 4.


For over 100 years, an American flag has been planted on a submerged rock in the middle of Harvey Lake. It is a delightful custom and a glimce into the true New Hampshire lifestyle. During the summer of 2009 some Pinhead decided to use the flag for target practice. Click Here (Harvey Lake Northwood NH) for a picture.

Northwood's most famous 'landmark' is Johnson's Seafood and dairy bar, located, of course, on Route 4. The food and ice cream are first rate and the place is packed on weekends. There is an interesting mural inside the restaurant showing the old Johnson dairy farm and restaurant. The date proudly displayed in the mural is a mistake. It should be ten years later than shown (1950's not 1940's) - but the owners decided not to change the finished mural. Many of the teenage girls in Northwood have worked at Johnsons over the past five decades as sort of a right of passage. More a than a few have found love working at Johnsons and there are tales of many 'happy ever after' marriages between the girls and the male teenage councilors from local summer camps that used to surround the community.


harvey lake

Ice Fishing on Harvey Lake - Northwood N




Important Northwood NH community links

Town of Northwood NH Official web site (zip code 03261)




Antique Alley (lots and lots of antique shops on RT 4 Northwood NH)




Northwood Meadows State Park (free, 675 acre State Park - dogs allowed)



 

 

 

 

Northwood,  NH History (copyright - Northwood Historical Society)

 

As explained in the Northwood Historical Society web site

 

 

Northwood – A Brief History

A small town in southeastern New Hampshire, Northwood was originally part of the Nottingham Grant of 1722 with the first settlers making their way to the area that would become Northwood in 1763.

Ten years later, Northwood was founded when its first settlers successfully petitioned the Governor’s Council requesting separation from Nottingham. Because this section of Nottingham had been known as the great north woods, the newly formed town was called Northwood.

Our first town meeting took place on March 23, 1773. At that meeting the town voted to raise six pounds lawful money for preaching, and seven pounds, four shillings for schooling. As the town grew, nine school districts were formed so that no child had to walk more than a mile to school.

Two years later, our first census showed a total of 313 people in town. By 1860, that number had swelled to 1502 and by 1930 we counted only 873 souls. Today, about 3200 persons are full-time residents with nearly twice as many having second homes here.

The first New Hampshire Turnpike was built about 1800 to connect Portsmouth – New Hampshire only seaport – with the state capital, Concord; it runs the length of Northwood. Now called Route Four, the highway has been a major influence on the town since it was constructed. Throughout the 19th century, our many early taverns accommodated sledge and stage passengers. In the 20th century travelers with speedier vehicles have enjoyed our summer boarding houses, overnight cabins, motels and restaurants. Other visitors, not seeking food or sleep, go antiquing in the dozens of shops along the road.

An important factor in our earlier history was the shoe industry, which came along about 1830 and flourished for the next century. At one time, Northwood had three large shoe factories. In addition, many local families, who farmed during the spring, summer and fall, spent the long winters turning out shoes and parts for shoes. As the demand increased, more people spent more time filling that demand. By the early years of the 20thcentury, the industry was dying in Northwood, but lingered on until about 1930 when the last shoe factory was closed.

Thousands of motorists each day see our town only as they hurry along our eight-mile "main street." Though Northwood is sometimes called a bedroom community, there are more than one hundred small businesses in town, employing from one to twenty-five workers each.

Northwood is proud of the nine lakes and ponds, which are either totally or partially located in town (Little Bow, Bow, Harvey, Jenness Pond, Wild Goose, Durgin Pond, Northwood and Pleasant Lakes, Lucas and North River Ponds). In addition our mountain views, miles of country roads, and many lovely old homes and public buildings make Northwood the perfect place to visit or in which to settle down. 
  


 

This information was obtained and in most cases directly quoted from the following sources: Northern Comforts: A collection of recipes from old timers, new timers, & summer timers of Northwood, New Hampshire(prepared to celebrate Northwood’s 225th Anniversary in 1998); The Northwood Guide (undated, but about 1950; published by the Northwood Community Association); and A Guide to the History and Old Dwelling Places of Northwood, New Hampshire, Written and Compiled by Joann Weeks Bailey, 2nd edition, 1992.

Contributed by Janet Clark

Northwood Historical Society home

 

 

 


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