History of Alstead, New Hampshire, USA

1839 - Alstead
Alstead, New Hampshire
Cheshire county, is 12 miles S.E. from Charlestown, 14 N. from Keene, and 50 W. by S. from Concord. This town is well watered by small streams. Cold river passes through the N.W. part; and some of the branches of Ashuelot river have their sources in this town. There are a number of ponds, the principal of which is Warren's pond;—length, 250 rods, breadth, 150. Perch and pickerel are here caught in great abundance. The soil is strong and productive, and the farms generally well cultivated. Manufactures flourish in this town, and great attention is paid to education. Alstead was originally called Newton, and was granted by charter, August 6, 1763, to Samuel Chase and 69 others. General Amos Shepard, who was for many years a member of the General Court of this state, and President of the Senate from 1797 to 1804, resided in this town, and was one of its principal inhabitants from 1777 to the time of his death, Jan. 1, 1812. By his persevering industry, his economy ... Read MORE...

1854 - Alstead
ALSTEAD, a post-township, Cheshire county, New Hampshire, 50 miles W. by S. from Concord. Although well-cultivated, the principal industry of its inhabitants is directed to manufactures. Population, 1425.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1886 - Alstead
ALSTEAD, with an area of 24,756 acres, lies in the extreme northern part of the county, in 43° 6′ of north latitude, and longitude 4° 48′ east from Washington,* bounded north by Sullivan county, east by Marlow, south by Gilsum and Surry, and west by Walpole and a part of Sullivan county. The territory now lying within its limits was originally granted by Gov. Benning Wentworth, probably in 1761. He at that time granted charters for seventy-eight townships, lying on both sides of the Connecticut, principally for the purpose of establishing a claim to the territory in the then unsettled certainty of the colony’s western boundary line, and among them was, undoubtedly, this township. The new town was given a name evolved from its own infantile state, namely, ” New Town.” These words, however, from first being wedded by a hyphen, in course of time, with clipped edges, coalesced into plain ” Newton.” But, neither as ” New Town,” ” New-town” or “Newton,” did, the infant exist long enough to... Read MORE...

1895 - Alstead
Alstead, al'sted, a post - township of Cheshire co ., N.H., about 15 miles N. of Keene, contains the villages of Alstead and Alstead Centre. Pop. in 1880, 1037; in 1890, 870.

Alstead, a post - village of Cheshire co., N.H., in Alstead township, 6 miles E.N.E. of Bellows Falls, Vt. It has 2 churches, a graded school, and a paper-mill.

Alstead Centre, a post - hamlet of Cheshire co., N.H., in Alstead township, about 14 miles N. by W. of Keene, and 6 miles from Cold River Station. It has a church.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

Whether you're a nature enthusiast, history buff, or simply looking for a relaxing getaway, here's a list of places to go and things to do in Alstead, New Hampshire:
Alstead Center Historic District: Start your exploration by visiting the heart of Alstead, where you'll find several well-preserved historic buildings. Take a leisurely walk along Main Street and admire the charming New England architecture.

Alstead Historical Society Museum: Located in the old church building in the center of town, this museum offers a glimpse into the town's history. You can learn about Alstead's past through exhibits and artifacts.

Alstead Village Store: This quaint general store is not just a place to buy essentials; it's a community hub. Grab a coffee, chat with the locals, and soak in the small-town atmosphere.

Explore the Outdoors: Alstead is surrounded by natural beauty, making it an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Here are a few outdoor activities to enjoy:

Fall Foliage: Visit in the autumn to witness the stunning foliage. The scenic drives around Alstead, especially along Route 123, offer breathtaking views of vibrant fall... Read MORE...