West of Nashua, along the Massachusetts border, lies the affluent community of Hollis., with a landscape of rolling fields, apple orchards, and stately colonial homes.

Governor Benning Wentworth named Hollis in honor of the distinguished Holles family of England, and the town was incorporated in 1746.

Founded in 1746 as a farming town, Hollis still clings to its rural past. With a population of 6,000 today, the town is still largely an agricultural community known for its apples, strawberries, and corn. More than 2,000 acres of Hollis land remains in active agricultural use today.

The center of town is a designated Historic District which includes more than 100 historic homes and buildings. The town has an active historic commission, and the Hollis meetinghouse is in the National Register of Historic Places. A number of other historic farmhouses and homes can be found throughout town. Hollis Town Common is the site of annual apple and strawberry festivals. Outside the town center, sprawling orchards, rolling fields, and stately farms neighbor large, contemporary homes. Equestrians are welcome at the public riding ring adjoining the town recreational fields.

The Hollis Soldier's Monument honors those men who died in the Revolution, War of 1812, and Civil War. Two Hollis men died at the battle of Bunker Hill, where, contrary to Massachusetts' claims, most of the American soldiers were from New Hampshire.

The land mass of Hollis is different today from what it was originally. it lost two parcels of land early in its history, both to Brookline. First, when southwest Hollis landowners complained about the distance to travel to town meetings, legislators sympathized and granted their petition to become part of Hollis.

Shortly thereafter, Hollis began a 17-year long dispute with Brookline over a three-quarter mile wide stretch among the two towns. Brookline prevailed.

Hollis then received an unexpected parcel from the state which was originally part of Monson. The town of Monson, chartered at the same time as Hollis, was the only New Hampshire town to lose its charter, and its land was divided between Amherst and Hollis, with a smaller portion going to Milford.

In recent years Hollis has seen the growth of "cottage industries," small businesses run out of residents' homes. Most businesses in town are small. The major employers in town include Diamond Casting and Machine Co., the Hollis-Brookline School District, Brookdale Farms, Lull Farm, Lavoie's Farm, and Woodmont orchards. Beaver Brook Association, a non-profit educational organization, controls more than 2,000 acres of local land, managing 25 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and other activities. Nearby Silver Lake State Park offers a beach and swimming lessons, and town lands provide trails for hiking, cross-country skiing, and horseback riding.

Education has always been a high priority for Hollis residents. Home prices in Hollis are some of the highest in the region, but the town has controlled recent growth and development to preserve the scenic roads, rural character, and colonial charm which make it so appealing.