There Are More Historic Places In This Rural New Hampshire County Than We Can Possibly Count

New Hampshire's history goes back a long way. It was first settled by Algonquian-speaking peoples for thousands of years before Europeans arrived in the 1600s. It finally became a state in 1788. As time has passed, some of the state's history has been lost, but much of it has been preserved. Cheshire County, located in the southwestern part of the state, has over 150 historic places in NH; here are 10 of them.

1. Capt. Samuel Allison House, Dublin

This historic house on Route 101 was built around 1825 and was home to a prominent mill owner. It serves as a surviving example of Federal Style architecture.

2. Beaver Mills, Keene

Dating back to the 1870s, this historic mill complex on Railroad Street is still partially used for industry.

3. Carleton Bridge, East Swanzey

One of many historic wooden covered bridges in the state, this 1869 bridge carries Carlton Road over the Ashuelot River's south branch.

4. Gilsum Stone Arch Bridge, Gilsum

Carrying Surry Road over the Ashuelot River, this 1862 span is one of the highest stone arch bridges in the state. It sits 43 feet above the river!

5. High Tops School, Westmoreland

Also known as Schoolhouse No. 9, this district schoolhouse was originally built in 1789 and later remodeled in 1846 after being moved to its current location at the junction of Reynolds and River Roads.

6. Richmond Community Church, Richmond

The Richmond Community Church on Route 119 has served parishioners since 1838. It is a distinctive example of Greek Revival architectural design.

7. Sawyer Tavern, Keene

Built around 1803, this former neighborhood tavern and inn on Arch Street is now a private residence.

8. Shedd-Porter Memorial Library, Alstead

Shedd-Porter Memorial Library is the public library for Alstead and has a collection of over 10,000 volumes. It was built in 1910 as a gift to the town.

9. Todd Block, Hinsdale

Located on Main Street, this architecturally diverse structure was originally two buildings that were combined in 1895.

10. Willard Homestead, Harrisville

This historic home on Sunset Hill Road originally dates back to 1787. It is representative of the region's summer resort period during the early 1900s.

Touring Cheshire County to visit its abundance of historic sites is an excellent idea for a weekend road trip. Enjoy the ride!

For those like myself who have a keen interest in local history, there are plenty of historic places in NH to explore. Here's one former logging town that no longer exists and another that holds clues about those who lived there long before us.