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HAVERHILL, NH

Known locally as Haverhill Corner, this is the historic center of the town of Haverhill. Founded in 1763, it became the terminal town for the Coos turnpike that, winding its way across the state from Portsmouth, was the land-based route for goods and people to make their way to the North Country.

Below the village flows the Connecticut River that, in those days, provided water transportation to the area. As a result of this activity, there were many taverns and large houses built in Haverhill Corner during the Federal period, 1790-1820. The distinctive double commons are bordered by sections of white board fence attached to granite posts added during the Civil War period. Local lore claims that Haverhill was a terminal on the Underground Railroad during this period.

At the top of the slope on the left at the junction with County Road is the Ladd Street School [12] . Standing near where the school now stands was the Haverhill South Parish Church. Built in 1790, the very first church bell in the North Country was installed in 1802. Eventually the parish outgrew the church and built a new, brick one on Haverhill Common further south. The old church was torn down and its timbers used to build the present day Ladd Street School, which was completed in 1849.

Continue south on Rte 10 past the junction with Rte 25.

Ladd Street School

Continue to the junction on the left with Court Street, which divides the north and south commons (about .5 mile). Coming up the hill, you will pass on your left two houses of note. One, a 2½ story Federal built in 1815, belonged to John Page, governor of New Hampshire from 1839 to 1841, and the other, a Georgian next door built in 1769 by Haverhill benefactor Colonel Charles Johnson, is now the oldest house in Haverhill.

As you turn left on to Court Street, note the Haverhill Corner historic marker at the junction. Park on the left near the bandstand and walk back to read the marker.

Facing the marker and looking left (north) you cannot mistake the brick building. The brick CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH [13] was not built by the present owners, the Congregationalists, but by the Methodist Episcopal Society in 1827. In the threestage bell tower is a Revere bell purchased in 1838.

Haverhill Congregational Church

Just around the corner to the right of the church is HAVERHILL ACADEMY [14]. On the left, the brick edifice with the belfry, is Pearson Hall, which was built in 1814, following a fire in the original building erected in 1793. The first building on the site was used by both the district elementary school and the county courts. It is likely that Daniel Webster tried cases here. It was chartered as an Academy in 1794 and was the first in the North Country. The Academy building to the right of Pearson Hall was built in 1893, and housed the Academy until 1969.

Pearson Hall and the Haverhill Academy

At the corner of School and Court Streets, are the private residences known historically as the Bliss and Williams Taverns. Because, in its early days the village was the terminal of the Coos turnpike, the village boasted many taverns. BLISS TAVERN [15] is believed to have been built around 1790. Its sister building just across Court Street, known as the WILLIAMS TAVERN [16], was built circa 1797.

Follow Court Street between the two taverns. Very soon, on the left you will see the HAVERHILL CORNER LIBRARY [17]. Though built in 1840, the building has only been used as a library since 1916. The building‘s original purpose was to house the Grafton County offices, specifically the register of deeds.

Immediately to the east of the library stands the imposing ALUMNI HALL [18] building has been completely restored. Many local people well remember coming over from the Academy to play basketball here. Built in 1846, and used as the county courthouse until 1891, it is now a cultural and interpretive center.

Alumni Hall

Opposite the library is an imposing three-story brick private residence, built circa 1810, that was once known as the GRAFTON HOTEL or CRAWFORD HOUSE [19].

Two buildings up from Alumni Hall is a building that looks like any other on the street. However, its façade hides a secret. At the rear of the house and attached to it, is what used to be the Jail House [20]. It was used as such from 1794 to 1895 and had the distinction of being the site of the State of New Hampshire's last public hanging in 1868.

Return down Court Street to its junction with Rte 10 and turn left (south). Drive for about 1.8 miles to the Round Barn, in Piermont, New Hampshire.