1927 Map of Penacook

About this map

Merrimack River industry and rail-side growth define the geography of central New Hampshire in the mid-1920s. The Boston and Maine RR acts as the primary artery for the region, connecting the dense milling center at Franklin Falls with satellite junctions such as Franklin Junc and Belmont June. While the river valleys are bustling with transit, the surrounding hills are dotted with foundational social institutions, including the Soldiers Home in Tilton and the County Farm near Gerrish. Historical memory is anchored at the Daniel Webster Birthplace, while dozens of district schoolhouses like Flag Hole School and Dyers Crossing School mark the rural settlement pattern before school consolidation. The landscape is also one of leisure and early conservation, evidenced by the Contoocook River Park and the expansive waters of Webster Lake and Lake Winnisquam.