Merrimack NH is adorned with many historic homes, small farms and tranquil ponds

Conveniently situated between New Hampshire's two largest cities, Manchester and Nashua, the town of Merrimack is bounded on the east by the Merrimack River. It is a young, family oriented town that has seen continuous economic growth. Residents here are energetic and active in the community, and many work in town or are commuting to Manchester, Nashua or Massachusetts.

Fall and Winter In Merrimack, New Hampshire

The town of Merrimack has four distinct villages: Reeds Ferry is the northern most, Merrimack Village (formerly known as Souhegan Village) is farther south, then there's Thornton's Ferry; and finally there's South Merrimack, the busy area along Route 101 A. The Reeds Ferry and Thornton's Ferry districts acquired their names from ferries across the river between Merrimack and Litchfield. Souhegan village took its name from the Souhegan River, which empties into the Merrimack River.

The town was incorporated in 1746, five years after the contentious Massachusetts-New Hampshire border dispute was resolved. Four years later, residents petitioned the state for more land, and the state gave them an additional three miles. Fourteen years later, hostilities developed between the townships of Merrimack and Amherst until a strip of land previously given to Amherst was finally deeded to Merrimack. Today, this rapidly growing community is home to 25,829.

Merrimack hosts several high-tech firms and large corporations. The Anheuser Busch brewery is one of three designated U.S. locations for its Clydesdale horses. These famous animals make the brewery tour a popular local attraction. Other companies such as PC Connection, Nashua Corp., Sanders, a Lockheed Martin Company, Unitrode, and Fidelity Investments have settled here, bringing well-paying jobs and business professionals to the area.

Residential housing ranges from single family homes to condominiums, townhouses and multi-family units. A bandstand constructed for the town's 250th anniversary and a park adjoin Town Hall in the picturesque center. The Merrimack School District is one of the region's best and provides education to children from Readiness to the 12th grade at three elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school.

The town was once the home of Merrimack Normal Institute, the first school in New Hampshire for the training of teachers. Education remains of great importance to Merrimack residents, who take an active role in their schools. Matthew Thornton, a Merrimack resident and delegate to the Continental Congress, was one of the original signers of the Declaration of independence and later a New Hampshire Superior Court judge. He also ran a ferry business in the late 1700's between Merrimack and Litchfield. The site of his original ferry dock in Merrimack is still referred to as Thornton's Ferry. Thornton is buried in a cemetery on Daniel Webster Highway, and a monument marks the site in his honor.

Another part of Merrimack is less visible to the casual traveler but appreciated by local residents. This is the many acres of town-owned open green space which has been set aside for conservation, parks and recreational areas. The scenic location affords individuals and families opportunities for hiking, fishing, camping, biking, swimming and hunting. The town has four parks, an ice rink, playgrounds, tennis courts, access to the Merrimack River and town forest land. Merrimack also has a variety of retail shops and several fine restaurants housed in restored historic buildings.

Recreational facilities include Kids Kove, a spectacular playground built in the center of town, as well as an extensive recreational program for children organized by the Merrimack Youth Association.

Naticook Pond is the only pond entirely within Merrimack's borders, but Merrimack also shares bodies of water with other towns. Baboosic Lake, shared with Amherst, supplied water for a thriving saw and grist mill industry in the 18th century. Now Naticook Lake and Wasserman Park, both located on the southern end of town, provide lake and pool swimming, canoeing, sailing, and nearly100 acres of hiking trails.

With many roads off the beaten path, the community is adorned with many historic homes, small farms and tranquil ponds. Merrimack has successfully balanced a high quality of life with a favorable business climate with smart planning and development and resident-friendly amenities.

Town Website
Download Profile of Merrimack
Merrimack 2000 Census Data