1900 Map of Peterboro

About this map

The Contoocook River carves a path through the western hills of Hillsborough County, anchoring the industrial and civic center of Peterboro. At the turn of the century, the region was defined by a sophisticated transportation network including the Boston and Maine RR and the Fitchburg RR, which connected mountain settlements like South Lyndeboro and Greenville to larger New England markets. The landscape is dominated by the prominent peaks of Pack Monadnock Mountain and North Pack Monadnock Mountain, the latter hosting General Miller Park. These elevations created a distinct settlement pattern where villages like West Peterboro and Bennington clustered near water power, while high-altitude landmarks such as Lithia Spring and Crotched Mountain remained sparsely populated. Genealogists can trace family locations across several townships including Sharon, Temple, and New Ipswich, identifying long-standing hamlets like Happy Valley and Wilder.