Holderness is a town in Grafton County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 1,930 at the 2000 census. An agricultural and resort area, Holderness is home to the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center and is located on Squam Lake. Holderness is also home to Holderness School, a prestigious co-educational college-preparatory boarding school.

History

The Squam Lakes were a trade route for Abenaki Indians and early European settlers, who traveled the Squam River to the Pemigewasset River, then to the Merrimack River and seacoast. In 1751, Thomas Shepard submitted a petition on behalf of 64 grantees to Colonial Governor Benning Wentworth for 6 miles square on the Pemigewasset River. The governing council accepted, and the town was named "Holderness" after Robert Darcy, 4th Earl of Holderness. The terrors of the French and Indian War, however, prevented settlement until after the Fall of Quebec in 1759. The land was regranted as "New Holderness" in 1761 to a group of New England families, and first settled in 1763. As proprietor of half the town, Samuel Livermore intended to create at "New Holderness" a great estate patterned after those of the English countryside. By 1790, the town had 329 residents, and in 1816, "New" was dropped from its name.

Holderness became a farming and fishing community, except for the "business or flat iron area" located on the Squam River, which has falls that drop about 112 feet before meeting the Pemigewasset River. With water power to operate mills, the southwestern corner of town developed into an industrial center, to which the Boston, Concord & Montreal Railroad entered in 1849. But the mill village would be at odds with the agricultural community, especially when denied civic amenities including gaslights and sidewalks. Consequently, in 1868, it was set off as Ashland.

Tourists in the 19th century discovered the region's scenic mountains and lakes. Before the age of automobiles, they would depart the train in Ashland and board a steamer, which traveled up the Squam River to rustic fishing camps or hillside hotels beside Squam Lake. Today, Holderness remains a popular resort area, where in 1981 the movie On Golden Pond was filmed.

Notable inhabitants

• Joan Blos, writer (seasonal resident)
• George Butler, director of documentaries such as Pumping Iron, The Endurance (part resident)
• Moses Cheney, abolitionist, conductor on Underground Railroad
• Oren B. Cheney, founder of Bates College
• Arthur Livermore (1766-1853), a United States Representative from New Hampshire
• Samuel Livermore (1732-1803), U.S. Senator
• Hercules Mooney, Revolutionary War officer

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 35.6 square miles (92 km2), of which 30.4 sq mi (79 km2) is land and 5.2 sq mi (13 km2) is water, comprising 14.73% of the town. Bounded on the northwest by the Pemigewasset River, Holderness is drained by Owl Brook. Part of Squam Lake is in the east, and Little Squam Lake is in the center. Mount Prospect, with an elevation of 2,064 feet (629 m) above sea level, is in the north. Also in the north is the highest point in Holderness, Mount Webster, elevation 2,076 feet (633 m) and part of the Squam Range. Holderness lies fully within the Merrimack River watershed.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,930 people, 768 households, and 546 families residing in the town. The population density was 63.5 people per square mile (24.5/km²). There were 1,208 housing units at an average density of 39.8/sq mi (15.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.88% White, 0.47% African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.10% from other races, and 1.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.41% of the population.

There were 768 households out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.2% were married couples living together, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.9% were non-families. 21.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the town the population was spread out with 24.4% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 31.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $47,895, and the median income for a family was $55,526. Males had a median income of $36,500 versus $26,116 for females. The per capita income for the town was $27,825. About 2.8% of families and 4.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.2% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.

Town government

Holderness is governed in the traditional New England style, with a 5-member board of selectmen as its executive branch, and the traditional Town Meeting as its legislative branch. Municipal elections and Town Meetings are customarily held in March.

External links

• Town website
• Holderness Historical Society
• New Hampshire Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau Profile
• Squam Lakes Natural Science Center

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Master bedrooom with fireplace and pr ... Read More! Holderness NH  Home $2,200,000.00 Situated on the western part of Big Squam on a South facing shore where sunrises and sunsets are an everyday pleasure. Summer night hours are nearly always punctuated by calling loons. The forest is very beautiful and contains many large trees. There has been no logging on the property in the known ... Read More! Holderness NH  LAND $1,700,000.00 RARE BUILDABLE LOT ON BIG SQUAM - With 420 ft of shorefront, 3.46 forested acres never touched or spoiled and 625 ft of gravel road frontage. Add to that the recent State and Town approvals for a 5BR home along with driveway access approval and you have a coveted "turn key" lot. ... Read More! Holderness NH  Home $1,495,000.00 Fantastic Squam offering! The only thing this property needs is you! Easy, level access to public roads. Interior completely refurbished in early 2000s with many extra features in kitchen and baths. ... Read More! Holderness NH  Home $950,000.00 A rare boathouse 18x30 accents this 3BR, 3Bath Year round home with Mountain views on Little Squam Lake.This Squam Lake property has 100 ft. of waterfront with a sandy swimming area and a one car garage that could be made into a work shop.Bottom floor has separate kitchen and bedroom for guest to st ... Read More! Holderness NH  Home $899,000.00 Stunning a must see, newly constructed home/mountain views/sunsets. Builders home with lots of attention to detail.Just minutes from I-93 and Plymouth State University & Speare Hospital. Enjoy this very private and quiet neighborhood in this 5+ bedroom home with many luxury amenities. Energy saving ... Read More! Holderness NH  Home $825,000.00 This home is perfect in every way. Done to perfection with perennial gardens, lake and mountain views, your own lakefront and dock and that's before you see the home. Fabulous entryway with custom wood in the whole home.Open concept gourmet kitchen with living room & dining room overlooking the lake ... Read More! Holderness NH  Home $750,000.00 A gracious old squam Camp atop Shepard Hill with exceptional views of White Oak Pond, Squam Lake and Mountains Beyond. Also has 436 ft of shared waterfront in Piper Cove ... Read More! Holderness NH  Home $650,000.00 Builders own Home.Life doesn't get any better than this.You need to see this one to appreciate all it has to offer you. Mature rolling lawns, mature perrenial beds, small fish pond, irrigation system, outdoor wood furnace,etc, etc..Basement totally customized theatre room, exercise room,pool and gam ... Read More! Holderness NH  Home $649,000.00 Enjoy Squam Lake from this comfortable cottage/camp with 75ft. of sparkling waterfront.This Squam Lake camp was built in 1930's, faces East and is the perfect place to spend your summers.Not far from town it is a short walk to the Holderness village and Science Center, or you can stay home and enjoy ... Read More! Holderness NH  Home $599,000.00 Nope, this is not a tiny seasonal cottage on a postage stamp lot. check it out...it is the real thing: A year round home on Big Squam, with 1.7 acres of land, 114 feet of shorefront, a sandy beach and a great yard...now tell me that this is not amazing at only $599,000 on Big Squam Lake! ... Read More! Holderness NH  Home $599,000.00 100K PRICE REDUCTION!! Unbelieveable value for Big Squam frontage. Stunning home, 3.11 acres, 275 ft on Big Squam, 2 docks. Immaculate home redone with the utmost attention to detail. hardwoods, chef's dream kitchen, double sided fireplace, large master suite with private deck and hot tub. Finished ... Read More! Holderness NH  Home $569,000.00 A rare opportunity to own young quality construction, 4 season capable home with a fabulous sandy beach on Squam! Stroll across the lawn to the water¿s edge and watch the Loons swim by in this warm water cove. This quiet location boasts easy access to the Squam lakes attraction and is only 3 miles ... Read More! Holderness NH  Home $499,000.00 95 ft of sandy waterfront on little Squam. Two bedroom one bath, porch with a dock. Seasonal camp on Little Squam also will give you direct access to Big Squam. Close to all the amenities in Holderness. Library, restaurant, marinas, and Science center ... Read More! Holderness NH  Home $459,900.00 Meticulously done home both inside and out with landscaped yard, commercial sized garage in back of property which could be used for multiple purposes (30 x 50) in-law apartment and rights to private beach on Big Squam Lake. Close proximity to lakes, mts, hiking , shopping and all area amenities. 8 ... Read More! Holderness NH  Home $449,000.00 Pristine 4 season cottage w/ 100' of owned waterfrontage on sought after Squam Lake. Pride of ownership abounds in this recently constructed, quality cottage style home. Nicely appointed, the interior is warm and inviting. The exterior includes an electric awning, a wonderful 3 season screenhouse/bu ... Read More! Holderness NH  Home $439,900.00 Prestigious and spacious,luxury Living! Royal Barry Wills design Cape. Sunny 8+ acres with stone walls, view of fields and Squam range. Horse neighborhood with endless riding roads. Pocket doors, tiled dining room, hutch, gourmet stainless steel kitchen, two brick fireplaces, in-law/children's w ... Read More! Holderness NH  Home $429,000.00 Quaint 19th century bungalow reminiscent of a bygone era when travelors arrived by rail in Ashland then by horse and buggy to the Grand Hotels that overlooked Big Squam Lake. This cottage, known as "Birkeneck", was at one time used by the staff of the Asquam Hotel which sat on top of Shepard Hill. ... Read More! Holderness NH  Home $425,000.00 Happiness is what starts here. Cutest little cottage on the lake. Beautiful sandy beach, screened porch and lots of charm come with this package. come take a look. ... Read More!