Lancaster NH
Lancaster NH is a rural community in the Northern White Mountains and the southern most part of NH's Great North Woods. Lancaster NH is known for its outdoor recreation (snowmobiling, hiking, and cross country skiing) as well as its boutque-lined Main Street.
Visit our Local Events page to see what's happening all year long.
Visit our Local Events page to see what's happening all year long.
Fast Facts
Population 3,358
County Coös (pronounced Ko' waz) Tourism Region Great North Woods Government Selectmen Annual Budget $5 million Schools:
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Location
Lancaster NH sits at the intersection of State Routes 2 & 3 and as such is considered the gateway to the Great North Woods Region of the state.
Home to the Weeks State Park, The Lancaster Fair and many year round activities, part of Lancaster sits in the White Mountain National Forest. Comprised of over 50 square miles, Lancaster is within the Connecticut River watershed and is home to one of NH's 4,000-footers, Mt. Cabot. |
Brief History of Lancaster, NH
Larger-than-life fox statue sits in the middle of town, acknowledging 'the brave men and women who redeemed Lancaster from the wilderness'
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Chartered in 1763 and settled in 1764, the year 2014 marks the town's 250th anniversary.
Settlers almost abandoned Lancaster during the first year, as harsh weather destroyed their crops. But they perservered and by 1874, Lancaster was the twelfth most productive agricultural region in the state. Over the years, Lancaster has seen many water-powered mills, including sawmills, potato starch mills, one of the large gristmills in the state, and carriage factories. One of her most notable citizens was Senator John W. Weeks who sponsored the legistation creating the White Mountain National Forest in 1910. His summer home, Mount Prospect is now part of the 420-acre Weeks State Park. His mansion and the fire lookout are open in the summer while a ski rope tow operates in the winter. The stone observation tower, built in 1912, sits atop a 2,059 foot summit and offers outstanding 360 degree views. Both the Weeks Medical Center and the Weeks Memorial Library (listed on the National Register of Historic Places) were given by the senator in memory of his father. Today, Lancaster is home to over 3,300 residents and routinely attracts visitors from all over who want to enjoy her peaceful environment, parks and outdoor activities, and downtown boutique shops. |