Jump to content
Main menu
Main menu
move to sidebar
hide
Navigation
Main page
Recent changes
Random page
Help about MediaWiki
Special pages
Niidae Wiki
Search
Search
Appearance
Create account
Log in
Personal tools
Create account
Log in
Pages for logged out editors
learn more
Contributions
Talk
Editing
Canaan, New Hampshire
Page
Discussion
English
Read
Edit
View history
Tools
Tools
move to sidebar
hide
Actions
Read
Edit
View history
General
What links here
Related changes
Page information
Appearance
move to sidebar
hide
Warning:
You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you
log in
or
create an account
, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.
Anti-spam check. Do
not
fill this in!
{{for|the town in Vermont|Canaan, Vermont}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox settlement |official_name = Canaan, New Hampshire |nickname = |motto = "Land of Milk and Honey" |image_skyline = Glimpse of Church Street, Canaan, NH.jpg |image_seal = Canaan Town Seal.png |imagesize = |image_caption = Church Street in 1907 |image_flag = |image_map = Grafton-Canaan-NH.png |mapsize = 250px |map_caption = Location in [[Grafton County, New Hampshire|Grafton County]], [[New Hampshire]] |settlement_type = Town |image_map1 = |mapsize1 = |map_caption1 = |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = United States |subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]] |subdivision_name1 = [[New Hampshire]] |subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in New Hampshire|County]] |subdivision_name2 = [[Grafton County, New Hampshire|Grafton]] |parts_type = Villages |parts = {{ubl|[[Canaan (CDP), New Hampshire|Canaan]]|Canaan Center|[[Canaan Street Historic District|Canaan Street]]|West Canaan}} |government_type = |leader_title = [[Board of selectmen|Select Board]] |leader_name = {{ubl|Stephen Freese|Sadie Wells|Scott Johnston}} |leader_title1 = Town Administrator |leader_name1 = Chet Hagenbarth |established_title = [[Incorporation (municipal government)|Incorporated]] |established_date = 1761 |area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2021">{{cite web |title=2021 U.S. Gazetteer Files β New Hampshire |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2021_Gazetteer/2021_gaz_cousubs_33.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=November 23, 2021}}</ref> |area_total_km2 = 142.8 |area_total_sq_mi = |area_land_km2 = 138.2 |area_land_sq_mi = |area_water_km2 = 4.6 |area_water_sq_mi = |area_water_percent = 3.20 |population_as_of = 2020 |population_footnotes = <ref name="Census 2020">{{Cite web| url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=&g=0600000US3300908980&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P1| title=Canaan town, Grafton County, New Hampshire: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| access-date=November 23, 2021}}</ref> |population_total = 3794 |population_density_km2 = 27.5 |population_density_sq_mi = |timezone = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]] |utc_offset = −5 |timezone_DST = [[Eastern Daylight Time Zone|Eastern]] |utc_offset_DST = −4 |coordinates = {{coord|43|38|48|N|72|00|37|W|region:US-NH|display=inline,title}} |elevation_m = 288 |elevation_ft = |website = {{URL|www.canaannh.org}} |postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]] |postal_code = 03741 |area_code = [[Area code 603|603]] |blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]] |blank_info = 33-08980 |blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID |blank1_info = 0873557 |footnotes = }} '''Canaan''' is a [[New England town|town]] in [[Grafton County, New Hampshire|Grafton County]], [[New Hampshire]], United States. The population was 3,794 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="Census 2020"/> It is the location of [[Mascoma State Forest]]. Canaan is home to the [[Cardigan Mountain School]], the town's largest employer. The main village of the town, where 442 people resided at the 2020 census, is defined as the [[Canaan (CDP), New Hampshire|Canaan census-designated place]] (CDP), and is located at the junction of [[U.S. Route 4 in New Hampshire|U.S. Route 4]] with [[New Hampshire Route 118]]. ==History== Chartered in 1761 by Governor [[Benning Wentworth]], the town was named after the hometown of many early settlers, [[Canaan, Connecticut]], which had been named by [[Puritan]]s for the biblical land of [[Canaan]]. It was settled in the winter of 1766β1767 by John Scofield, who arrived with all his belongings on a hand [[sled]]. The land was filled with rocks, making agriculture difficult. The town constructed a broad road for its main street on a stretch of level land.<ref name="Child"/> In 1828 attorney [[George Kimball (attorney)|George Kimball]] helped organize building the town's [[Congregational church]]. He was among the New England [[abolitionist]]s who founded [[Noyes Academy]] in March 1835, one of the first schools in the region to admit students of all races. It opened with 28 white students, drawn largely from local families, and 17 black students; most of the latter came from outside the town and across the [[Northeastern United States]]. Many local residents opposed bringing blacks into the town. On August 10, 1835, five hundred white men from Canaan and nearby towns used "nearly 100 yoke of [[oxen]]" to pull the building off its foundation, then burned it. Fearing for their safety, the black students left town, as did Kimball, who moved to [[Alton, Illinois]].<ref>Child (1886), pp. 73 and 234</ref> [[Canaan Union Academy]] was built on the site and was limited to white students; it operated for the next 20 years.<ref name="Child">{{Cite book| last = Child| first = Hamilton| title = Gazetteer of Grafton County, N. H. 1709-1886| year = 1886| location = Syracuse, New York| pages = 233β234| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=wTYTAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA3-PA216-IA3}}</ref> After the academy's closing, residents sympathetic to [[fugitive slave]]s operated a station of the [[Underground Railroad]] to help the people reach [[Canada]] or settle in New England.<ref>{{cite web|title=Canaan, New Hampshire|url=http://uppervalleynhvt.com/canaan-new-hampshire/|website=UpperValleyNHVT.com|access-date=May 14, 2018}}</ref> The [[Northern Railroad (New Hampshire)|Northern Railroad]] (predecessor of the [[Boston & Maine Railroad]]) was constructed to the town in 1847, spurring development. [[Water power]]ed [[watermill|mills]] were built on the streams. By 1859, the population had reached 1,682, and Canaan had one [[gristmill]], three [[lath]] and [[Clapboard (architecture)|clapboard]] mills, and one [[Tanning (leather)|tannery]].<ref name=Coolidge>{{Cite book| last = Coolidge| first = Austin J.|author2=John B. Mansfield| title = A History and Description of New England| year = 1859| location = Boston, Massachusetts| page = 432| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=OcoMAAAAYAAJ&q=coolidge%20mansfield%20history%20description%20new%20england%201859&pg=PA432}}</ref> Canaan was the site of a famous [[train wreck]] on September 15, 1907. Four miles west of Canaan Station, the southbound [[Quebec]] to [[Boston]] express, crowded with passengers returning from the [[Sherbrooke]] Fair, collided head-on with a northbound Boston & Maine [[freight train]]. Twenty-five people died, and an equal number were seriously injured. The accident was "due to a mistake in train dispatcher's orders."<ref>[http://www.rootsweb.com/~nhchs/Reporter/20Sep1907.html "Canaan, NH Train Wreck of 1907"], ''Reporter'', September 20, 1907, hosted at Rootsweb</ref> On June 2, 1923, the Great Canaan Fire burned 48 homes and businesses, destroying the heart of Canaan Village (East Canaan). <gallery> Image:Old North Church, Canaan, NH.jpg|Old North Church {{circa|1915}} Image:Main Street in Winter, Canaan, NH.jpg|Canaan Village {{circa|1915}} (before 1923 fire) Image:Boston & Maine Railroad Station, Canaan, NH.jpg|B. & M. R. R. depot in 1911 Image:View of the Canaan Fair, Canaan, NH.jpg|View of the Canaan Fair {{circa|1906}} </gallery> ==Geography== According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|142.8|km2|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|138.2|sqkm|order=flip}} are land and {{convert|4.6|km2|order=flip}} are water, comprising 3.20% of the town.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2021"/> Canaan is drained by the [[Mascoma River]] and its tributary, the [[Indian River (New Hampshire)|Indian River]], which flows past Canaan village. [[Canaan Street Lake]] is in the center, and [[Goose Pond (New Hampshire)|Goose Pond]] is in the northwest. [[Mount Cardigan]], overlooking Canaan village, lies to the east in the neighboring town of [[Orange, New Hampshire|Orange]]. A mountain road leads from Canaan to a trailhead in Cardigan Mountain State Forest, where hiking trails on the west slope of the mountain lead to the {{convert|3155|ft|adj=on}} bare-rock summit. The highest point in Canaan is the top of an unnamed ridge (approximately {{convert|2270|ft|m}} above [[sea level]]) in the northeastern corner of town, overlooking Derby Pond. Canaan lies almost fully within the [[Connecticut River]] [[Drainage basin|watershed]], except for the northeastern corner of the town, which drains north to the [[Baker River (New Hampshire)|Baker River]] and is part of the [[Merrimack River]] watershed.<ref name=watershed>{{cite book |title=Water Use in New Hampshire: An Activities Guide for Teachers |url=http://nh.water.usgs.gov/Publications/nh.intro.html |last=Foster |first=Debra H. |author2=Batorfalvy, Tatianna N. |author3= Medalie, Laura |publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Geological Survey |year=1995}}</ref> The town is crossed by [[U.S. Route 4 in New Hampshire|U.S. Route 4]] and [[New Hampshire Route 118]]. ==Demographics== {{US Census population |1790= 483 |1800= 835 |1810= 1094 |1820= 1198 |1830= 1428 |1840= 1576 |1850= 1682 |1860= 1762 |1870= 1877 |1880= 1762 |1890= 1417 |1900= 1444 |1910= 1408 |1920= 1236 |1930= 1301 |1940= 1377 |1950= 1465 |1960= 1507 |1970= 1923 |1980= 2456 |1990= 3045 |2000= 3319 |2010= 3909 |2020= 3794 |estyear= |estimate= |estref= |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="Census 2020"/><ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |title=Census of Population and Housing |publisher=Census.gov |access-date=June 4, 2016 }}</ref> }} [[Image:Train Wreck of 1907, Canaan, NH.jpg|thumb|right|1907 Canaan train wreck]] As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2010, there were 3,909 people, 1,588 households, and 1,105 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|73.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,930 housing units at an average density of {{convert|36.3|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the town was 97.1% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.1% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.2% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.0% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.2% [[Race (United States Census)|some other race]], and 1.3% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.8% of the population.<ref name="Census 2010 DP">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0600000US3300908980| title=Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Canaan town, Grafton County, New Hampshire| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=January 22, 2013| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212103107/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0600000US3300908980| archive-date=February 12, 2020| url-status=dead}}</ref> There were 1,588 households, of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.0% were headed by [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.4% were non-families. 23.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.6% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42, and the average family size was 2.81.<ref name="Census 2010 DP"/> In the town, the population was spread out, with 20.9% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 33.7% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.3 males.<ref name="Census 2010 DP"/> For the period 2007β2011, the estimated median annual income for a household in the town was $62,226, and the median income for a family was $63,930. Male full-time workers had a median income of $46,250 versus $37,287 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $26,964. About 4.5% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 5.7% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/11_5YR/DP03/0600000US3300908980| title=Selected Economic Characteristics: 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (DP03): Canaan town, Grafton County, New Hampshire| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=January 22, 2013| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212082601/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/11_5YR/DP03/0600000US3300908980| archive-date=February 12, 2020| url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2014 the largest ancestry groups reported in Canaan were [[English American|English]] (17.8%), "American" (17.4%), [[French American|French]] or [[French Canadian]] (14.2%), and [[Irish American|Irish]] (12.6%).<ref>{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/14_5YR/B04004/0600000US3300908980| title=People Reporting Single Ancestry: 2010-2014 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (B04004); Canaan town, Grafton County, New Hampshire| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| work=American Factfinder| access-date=October 3, 2016| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213233748/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/14_5YR/B04004/0600000US3300908980| archive-date=February 13, 2020| url-status=dead}}</ref> ==Sites of interest== * Canaan Historical Museum * [[Canaan Motor Club]], auto racetrack * [[Northern Rail Trail (New Hampshire)|Northern Rail Trail]] == Notable people == <!-- Note: Β· Only people who already have a Wikipedia article may appear here. This establishes notability. Β· The article must mention how they are associated with Canaan, whether born, raised, or residing. Β· The fact of their association should have a reliable source cited. Β· Alphabetical by last name please. Β· All others will be deleted. --> * [[Gavin Bayreuther]] (born 1994), NHL player * [[Daniel Blaisdell]] (1762β1833), US congressman<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=B000530|title= BLAISDELL, Daniel, (1762 - 1833)|publisher= Biographical Directory of the United States Congress |access-date= January 16, 2014}}</ref> * [[Henry G. Burleigh]] (1832β1900), US congressman from [[New York (state)|New York]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=B001106|title=BURLEIGH, Henry Gordon, (1832 - 1900) |publisher= Biographical Directory of the United States Congress|access-date= January 16, 2014}}</ref> * [[Frank Dunklee Currier]] (1853β1921), US congressman<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=C000999|title=CURRIER, Frank Dunklee, (1853 - 1921)|publisher= Biographical Directory of the United States Congress|access-date= January 16, 2014}}</ref> * [[Joshua Smith (minister)|Joshua Smith]] (1760β1795), author (''Divine Hymns, or Spiritual Songs'') * [[Anna Augusta Truitt]] (1837β1920), philanthropist, temperance reformer, essayist ==References== {{portal|New Hampshire}} {{Reflist}} ==External links== * {{Official website|www.canaannh.org}} * [http://www.rootsweb.com/~nhchs/ Canaan Historical Society] * [https://www.canaanlibrary.org/ Canaan Town Library] * [https://www.cardigan.org/ Cardigan Mountain School] * [https://www.nhes.nh.gov/elmi/products/cp/profiles-htm/canaan.htm New Hampshire Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau Profile] * [http://www.rootsweb.com/~nhchs/Reporter/20Sep1907.html Canaan, NH Train Wreck of 1907] {{Geographic location | Centre = Canaan | North = [[Dorchester, New Hampshire|Dorchester]] | Northeast = [[Groton, New Hampshire|Groton]] | East = [[Orange, New Hampshire|Orange]] | Southeast = [[Grafton, New Hampshire|Grafton]] | South = [[Enfield, New Hampshire|Enfield]] | Southwest = [[Lebanon, New Hampshire|Lebanon]] | West = [[Hanover, New Hampshire|Hanover]] | Northwest = [[Lyme, New Hampshire|Lyme]] }} {{Grafton County, New Hampshire}} {{authority control}} [[Category:Canaan, New Hampshire| ]] [[Category:Towns in Grafton County, New Hampshire]] [[Category:Towns in New Hampshire]]
Summary:
Please note that all contributions to Niidae Wiki may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you do not want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then do not submit it here.
You are also promising us that you wrote this yourself, or copied it from a public domain or similar free resource (see
Encyclopedia:Copyrights
for details).
Do not submit copyrighted work without permission!
Cancel
Editing help
(opens in new window)
Templates used on this page:
Template:Authority control
(
edit
)
Template:Circa
(
edit
)
Template:Cite book
(
edit
)
Template:Cite web
(
edit
)
Template:Convert
(
edit
)
Template:For
(
edit
)
Template:Geographic location
(
edit
)
Template:Grafton County, New Hampshire
(
edit
)
Template:Infobox settlement
(
edit
)
Template:Official website
(
edit
)
Template:Portal
(
edit
)
Template:Reflist
(
edit
)
Template:US Census population
(
edit
)
Template:Use mdy dates
(
edit
)
Search
Search
Editing
Canaan, New Hampshire
Add topic