Henniker has been blessed with a great location. Throughout our entire history, Henniker’s strategic geographical location on the Contoocook River and Federal Highway 202/9, has always been recognized.
Becoming a desirable destination point began in 1825 with regular Tri-weekly Stagecoach Service to Henniker.
By the 1840’s, just 15 short years later, the era of the “Great Teams” was experiencing its heyday. Henniker’s location on the popular route from Boston to Vermont and northern New Hampshire made it a very convenient stop over for many travelers. The Henniker Inn (NEC’s Administration Building) and its famous Bell’s Tavern, was the focal point of the center of town. With stalls for one hundred horses, and an ample stable yard in which to park the large wagons of the day, The Henniker Inn was a premier stopping point.
These major routes transecting Henniker were shared with teams of drovers, bringing beef cattle to market. “White picket fences, that were common in town during the last century and a half, were necessary to keep the cattle out of residents’ yards.”
The increase in activity prompted the Cogswell family, in 1884 to develop The Henniker Spring Water Co.. “About this same time, Henniker opened several guest homes for summer visitors in farms and large old homes. The village proper grew rapidly. Between 1886 and 1902 more than 60 new buildings were erected within the village limits.“
And we all think that AGRITOURISM is a new concept…Sometimes…”the more things change…. the more they stay the same…”
The unquestioning acceptance of the already existing is what keeps people from being creative!
OHB…keeping it real… making it easier for you to find the facts so you can draw your own conclusions…PEACE!
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