Mont Vernon, New Hampshire
Encyclopedia
Mont Vernon is a town in Hillsborough County
, New Hampshire
, United States
. The population was 2,409 at the 2010 census.
It is not clear why it is spelled differently from the many other towns in the United States named after Mount Vernon
, the home of George Washington
. Some say the "u" in "Mount" was accidentally dropped by a town clerk filling out official papers; some say the change was made deliberately to draw attention to the town; some say it uses the French spelling of "mont" as a nod to what was then the region's large French-Canadian population. According to town histories, as late as the 1920s, there was some dispute about how to spell the name, with the post office and one of its most prominent hotels using a "u" for many decades.
Mont Vernon broke away from neighboring Amherst
in 1803, following a dispute over the town parish. It later added a small portion of neighboring Lyndeborough
.
Mont Vernon's general history follows that of many towns in this region: Originally settled for agriculture, its farms were hard hit after the Civil War
when railroads opened up better farming land in the Midwest. Population peaked in 1870 and began to decline.
By the late 1890s it had become a tourist town, drawing summer visitors from points south, notably Boston
, who escaped the heat in Mont Vernon's hills. At one point it had five large summer hotels, including the Grand Hotel, located on top of Grand Hill.
The hotel business began to wither with the development of the automobile, which allowed tourists to reach places like the White Mountains
of New Hampshire, and it was killed by the Great Depression
. The town's population bottomed out at barely 300 in 1930, at which time the Grand Hotel was destroyed in a fire. The remaining hotels were torn down before World War II
.
Since the war, Mont Vernon has slowly become a suburban community. This was significantly accelerated in 1962-63 when engineers and technicians employed at Sanders Associates in Nashua found homes in Mont Vernon attractive. Some bought dormant farms, some homes in the village. All brought a willingness to pay more taxes to improve the schools. The active farms were squeezed out and eventually only the Pomeroy farm survived. It wasn't until the 1970 census that the town's official population passed mid-19th century highs.
Agriculture, including a 1940s and 1950s boom in chicken and egg farming, has all but disappeared. As of 2008, the town has one dairy farm. For years, the only store in town was the General Store, which closed in January 2010. The store is scheduled to reopen in fall 2011, newly renovated in the style of the 1850s. There are currently a handful of retail and other businesses in the town.
Mont Vernon is also the site where the tragic murder of Kimberly Cates occurred, with her 11 year old daughter Jaimie Cates being stabbed but survived.
, near the summit of Storey Hill.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 2,034 people, 693 households, and 575 families residing in the town. The population density
was 122.4 people per square mile (47.3/km²). There were 720 housing units at an average density of 43.3 per square mile (16.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.57% White, 0.15% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.10% from other races
, and 0.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.54% of the population.
There were 693 households out of which 43.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.7% were married couples
living together, 5.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.9% were non-families. 12.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.90 and the average family size was 3.17.
In the town the population was spread out with 29.7% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 26.0% from 45 to 64, and 9.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 104.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $71,250, and the median income for a family was $77,869. Males had a median income of $50,353 versus $32,500 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $30,772. About 1.0% of families and 2.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.3% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.
Total Tax Rate per thousand: $21.66
NH Ranking (1 is highest tax rate): 59 of 207
2006-
Total Tax Rate per thousand: $22.57
NH Ranking (1 is highest tax rate): 32 of 207
2007-
Total Tax Rate per thousand: $22.00*
NH Ranking (1 is highest tax rate): 33 of 207
2008-
Total Tax Rate per thousand: $23.52
NH Ranking (1 is the highest tax rate): 33 of 207
2009-
Total Tax Rate per thousand: $24.30
NH Ranking (1 is the highest tax rate):
*Property reassessment occurred during this year.
In 2006 a bond was defeated in the amount of 2.1 million dollars to rebuild the towns' firehouse.
In 2007 a bond was approved in the amount of 1.5 million dollars to rebuild the firehouse. It was completed in early 2008.
Middle School. For 9th through 12th grades, the students are sent to Souhegan High School
, which is in Amherst but jointly owned by Amherst and Mont Vernon.
Student Teacher Ratio:
2005/2006-
Ratio: 11.6
State Average: 12.9
Enrollment: 206
2006/2007-
Ratio: 12.5
State Average: 12.8
Enrollment: 222
2007/2008-
Ratio: 14.0
State Average: 12.8
Enrollment: 226
2008/2009-
Ration: 12.7
state Average: 12.8
Enrollment: 229
Hillsborough County, New Hampshire
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 380,841 people, 144,455 households, and 98,807 families residing in the county. The population density was 435 people per square mile . There were 149,961 housing units at an average density of 171 per square mile...
, New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 2,409 at the 2010 census.
It is not clear why it is spelled differently from the many other towns in the United States named after Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon (plantation)
Mount Vernon, located near Alexandria, Virginia, was the plantation home of the first President of the United States, George Washington. The mansion is built of wood in neoclassical Georgian architectural style, and the estate is located on the banks of the Potomac River.Mount Vernon was designated...
, the home of George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
. Some say the "u" in "Mount" was accidentally dropped by a town clerk filling out official papers; some say the change was made deliberately to draw attention to the town; some say it uses the French spelling of "mont" as a nod to what was then the region's large French-Canadian population. According to town histories, as late as the 1920s, there was some dispute about how to spell the name, with the post office and one of its most prominent hotels using a "u" for many decades.
History
Amherst, New Hampshire
Amherst is a town in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 11,201 at the 2010 census. Amherst is home to Ponemah Bog Wildlife Sanctuary, Hodgman State Forest, the Joe English Reservation and Baboosic Lake....
in 1803, following a dispute over the town parish. It later added a small portion of neighboring Lyndeborough
Lyndeborough, New Hampshire
Lyndeborough is a town in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 1,683 at the 2010 census.- History :Originally granted by the Massachusetts General Court to veterans of New England's first war with Canada from Salem, Massachusetts, the area was known as Salem-Canada...
.
Mont Vernon's general history follows that of many towns in this region: Originally settled for agriculture, its farms were hard hit after the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
when railroads opened up better farming land in the Midwest. Population peaked in 1870 and began to decline.
By the late 1890s it had become a tourist town, drawing summer visitors from points south, notably Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, who escaped the heat in Mont Vernon's hills. At one point it had five large summer hotels, including the Grand Hotel, located on top of Grand Hill.
The hotel business began to wither with the development of the automobile, which allowed tourists to reach places like the White Mountains
White Mountains (New Hampshire)
The White Mountains are a mountain range covering about a quarter of the state of New Hampshire and a small portion of western Maine in the United States. Part of the Appalachian Mountains, they are considered the most rugged mountains in New England...
of New Hampshire, and it was killed by the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
. The town's population bottomed out at barely 300 in 1930, at which time the Grand Hotel was destroyed in a fire. The remaining hotels were torn down before World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Since the war, Mont Vernon has slowly become a suburban community. This was significantly accelerated in 1962-63 when engineers and technicians employed at Sanders Associates in Nashua found homes in Mont Vernon attractive. Some bought dormant farms, some homes in the village. All brought a willingness to pay more taxes to improve the schools. The active farms were squeezed out and eventually only the Pomeroy farm survived. It wasn't until the 1970 census that the town's official population passed mid-19th century highs.
Agriculture, including a 1940s and 1950s boom in chicken and egg farming, has all but disappeared. As of 2008, the town has one dairy farm. For years, the only store in town was the General Store, which closed in January 2010. The store is scheduled to reopen in fall 2011, newly renovated in the style of the 1850s. There are currently a handful of retail and other businesses in the town.
Mont Vernon is also the site where the tragic murder of Kimberly Cates occurred, with her 11 year old daughter Jaimie Cates being stabbed but survived.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 16.7 square miles (43.3 km²), of which 16.6 square miles (43 km²) is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) is water, comprising 0.48% of the town. Mont Vernon is drained by Beaver Brook and Caesar's Brook. The town's highest point is on its northern border, at 1015 feet (309.4 m) above sea levelSea level
Mean sea level is a measure of the average height of the ocean's surface ; used as a standard in reckoning land elevation...
, near the summit of Storey Hill.
Demographics
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 2,034 people, 693 households, and 575 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 122.4 people per square mile (47.3/km²). There were 720 housing units at an average density of 43.3 per square mile (16.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.57% White, 0.15% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.10% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.54% of the population.
There were 693 households out of which 43.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.7% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 5.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.9% were non-families. 12.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.90 and the average family size was 3.17.
The median income for a household in the town was $71,250, and the median income for a family was $77,869. Males had a median income of $50,353 versus $32,500 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $30,772. About 1.0% of families and 2.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.3% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.
Town Finances
2005-Total Tax Rate per thousand: $21.66
NH Ranking (1 is highest tax rate): 59 of 207
2006-
Total Tax Rate per thousand: $22.57
NH Ranking (1 is highest tax rate): 32 of 207
2007-
Total Tax Rate per thousand: $22.00*
NH Ranking (1 is highest tax rate): 33 of 207
2008-
Total Tax Rate per thousand: $23.52
NH Ranking (1 is the highest tax rate): 33 of 207
2009-
Total Tax Rate per thousand: $24.30
NH Ranking (1 is the highest tax rate):
*Property reassessment occurred during this year.
In 2006 a bond was defeated in the amount of 2.1 million dollars to rebuild the towns' firehouse.
In 2007 a bond was approved in the amount of 1.5 million dollars to rebuild the firehouse. It was completed in early 2008.
Education
The only public school in town is the Mont Vernon Village School. It is an elementary school, with grades kindergarten to sixth. For 7th and 8th grades, Mont Vernon sends its students to the AmherstAmherst, New Hampshire
Amherst is a town in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 11,201 at the 2010 census. Amherst is home to Ponemah Bog Wildlife Sanctuary, Hodgman State Forest, the Joe English Reservation and Baboosic Lake....
Middle School. For 9th through 12th grades, the students are sent to Souhegan High School
Souhegan High School
Souhegan High School is a Coalition of Essential Schools high school located in Amherst, New Hampshire. Students from Amherst and Mont Vernon attend Souhegan for 9th through 12th grades. There are about 872 students and over 160 faculty members...
, which is in Amherst but jointly owned by Amherst and Mont Vernon.
Student Teacher Ratio:
2005/2006-
Ratio: 11.6
State Average: 12.9
Enrollment: 206
2006/2007-
Ratio: 12.5
State Average: 12.8
Enrollment: 222
2007/2008-
Ratio: 14.0
State Average: 12.8
Enrollment: 226
2008/2009-
Ration: 12.7
state Average: 12.8
Enrollment: 229
The Mont Vernon Fire Department
The former two-story Mont Vernon Fire Station, built in 1947, was located on North Main Street next to the Town Hall. This station had 6 equipment bays. In March 2007 the town voted to raze the deteriorating building and replace it with a new fire station on the same lot. The new station has 5 equipment bays facing North Main Street, and 1 equipment bay facing Pinkham Avenue. The Fire Chief has his office in the station, along with a radio and report room, a meeting room, and an office for the Emergency Management Director. The station also contains maintenance, storage, and work rooms. Emergency medical services are provided by Amherst.Culture
The town has two major annual celebrations: On the last Saturday in September, it hosts "Lamson Farm Day" at a town-owned farm to celebrate its agricultural past. In late April or early May, it has a celebration of spring called the "Mont Vernon Spring Gala." Both feature games, food and local entertainers and draw hundreds of people.Sites of interest
- Mont Vernon Historical Society Museum, upstairs in Town Hall
- Purgatory Falls trails along Purgatory BrookPurgatory BrookPurgatory Brook is a long tributary of the Souhegan River in southern New Hampshire. It rises in a marshy area on the border of Lyndeborough and Mont Vernon, and flows south over three small waterfalls, intersecting the Souhegan in Milford...
- Mont Vernon General Store
- Lamson Farm
- Horton pond
- Daland Library