According to liuxers.com, Strafford County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Hampshire. It is home to an estimated population of 123,143, making it the fourth most populous county in the state. Strafford County lies on the eastern side of New Hampshire and borders Maine to its east and Massachusetts to its south. The county seat is Dover, which is also the state capital.
One of Strafford County’s main attractions is its natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities. It is home to several mountain ranges including Mount Moosilauke, Mount Kearsarge and Mount Cardigan that offer hikers and nature enthusiasts plenty of opportunities for exploration and adventure. Additionally, there are several lakes throughout the county including Lake Winnipesaukee, Lake Sunapee and Lake Ossipee that offer boating, fishing and swimming activities for visitors to enjoy as well as providing stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
In addition to outdoor recreation, Strafford County also offers a variety of cultural attractions including museums such as The Woodman Institute Museum in Dover or The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire in nearby Rochester. Additionally, there are several historic sites throughout the county like Strawbery Banke in Portsmouth or The Governor John Langdon House in Portsmouth giving visitors a glimpse into the history of this region.
Strafford County also has an excellent education system with several public school districts within its borders such as Dover School District or Rochester School District as well as numerous private schools across all grade levels offering a quality education to students from all backgrounds. Furthermore, there are also multiple universities located within Strafford County such as University of New Hampshire at Durham or Granite State College providing higher education opportunities for those looking to further their studies or pursue a career in their chosen field.
Strafford County offers something for everyone from outdoor recreation opportunities to educational institutions making it an ideal place to live work and play. With its beautiful scenery, cultural attractions and excellent educational system it’s easy to see why this area remains one of New Hampshire’s most desirable places.
History of Strafford County, New Hampshire
The history of Strafford County, New Hampshire is one that dates back to the 1600s and has been shaped by both Native American tribes and early settlers. The Abenaki tribe were the first inhabitants of this area, having settled in what is now Strafford County as early as the 16th century. The Abenaki lived on the land for hundreds of years until they were displaced by European settlers in the late 17th century.
In 1623, Captain John Mason was granted a charter to establish a colony in New Hampshire by King Charles I of England. This colony was called Masonia and included much of what is now Strafford County. Masonia quickly grew into a prosperous fishing and shipbuilding center with Portsmouth becoming its main port.
In 1741, Governor Benning Wentworth created Strafford County from portions of Rockingham and Hillsborough Counties. The county is named after William Wentworth, 2nd Earl of Strafford who served as secretary of state for King Charles I during Masonia’s founding. In 1772, after the Revolutionary War had begun, New Hampshire became the first colony to declare its independence from Great Britain and form its own government with Strafford County becoming part of it.
Throughout the 19th century, Strafford County continued to grow with new towns being established such as Rochester in 1822 or Dover in 1855. Additionally, railroads were built throughout this period connecting many cities within the county together allowing for increased trade between them which further bolstered economic growth throughout this period.
The 20th century saw further growth in both population and industry within Strafford County with cities such as Rochester becoming major centers for manufacturing while Dover became a hub for education thanks to institutions such as University of New Hampshire being established there during this period. Additionally, tourism also began to play an important role in the economy with people coming from all over New England to enjoy the natural beauty that this region offers year-round making it one of New Hampshire’s most desirable places today.
Major cities and towns in Strafford County, New Hampshire
Strafford County, New Hampshire is home to many major cities and towns that offer a variety of activities for visitors and residents alike. The county’s largest city is Rochester which has a population of around 30,000 people. This city is known for its vibrant downtown area, which includes many shops and restaurants as well as the Rochester Opera House, which hosts various events year-round. Additionally, Rochester is home to several notable attractions such as the Flume Gorge, a natural granite gorge with spectacular views.
The second largest city in Strafford County is Dover with a population of about 30,000 people. This city offers something for everyone from its historic downtown area with its array of shops and restaurants to its expansive parks such as Henry Law Park which offers plenty of activities including fishing and hiking trails. Dover is also home to several educational institutions such as the University of New Hampshire and Great Bay Community College making it an ideal place to further one’s education.
Other notable towns in Strafford County include Somersworth, Rollinsford, Barrington, Lee, Farmington and Durham. Somersworth is particularly popular among tourists due to its historical significance having been founded in 1753; it is also home to a variety of attractions such as the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire located at the historic Salmon Falls Mills complex. Rollinsford features several historical buildings including an old train station built in 1874 while Barrington offers plenty of outdoor activities with its numerous lakes and rivers making it ideal for fishing or boating enthusiasts alike. Lee features many beautiful homes from colonial era while Farmington boasts an array of local farms providing fresh produce year-round; lastly, Durham serves as the gateway to the University of New Hampshire campus offering plenty of entertainment options for students or visitors alike.
Strafford County has something for everyone whether you are looking for outdoor activities or just want to explore some local history; whatever your preference may be this region has plenty to offer.
Airports in Strafford County, New Hampshire
According to Countryaah, Strafford County, New Hampshire is home to a number of airports that serve the local area and provide easy access to the rest of the state and beyond. The largest airport in Strafford County is the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, located in nearby Manchester. This is one of the busiest airports in New England, with flights to major cities across the United States. It also offers ground transportation options such as bus service, car rentals, and taxi services for those who wish to explore further afield.
The Portsmouth International Airport at Pease is another important airport in Strafford County. This airport serves domestic flights within the United States as well as international destinations such as Toronto and Montreal in Canada. It also features convenient ground transportation options including shuttle buses and rental cars for those who wish to explore further afield.
The Rochester Municipal Airport serves smaller planes and is located near downtown Rochester. This airport offers charter flights within New England as well as sightseeing tours over nearby attractions such as Lake Winnipesaukee or Mt Washington State Park. Additionally, this airport has a restaurant, a fuel station, hangars for aircraft storage and repair services available onsite.
The Dover Air Force Base serves military aircraft from all branches of the US armed forces, but also provides civilian flights through its Dover Airline Services arm which operates daily commuter flights between Dover AFB and Philadelphia International Airport in Pennsylvania. Additionally, this base offers many recreational opportunities such as golf courses and outdoor activities for those looking for some downtime away from their work duties or studies while visiting Strafford County.
Finally, there are several smaller airports scattered throughout Strafford County offering private charters or sightseeing tours of local attractions such as Lake Winnipesaukee or Mt Washington State Park; these include Little Boar’s Head Airport (LBO), Wolfeboro Municipal Airport (WOL), Wakefield Municipal Airport (WAK) and Ossipee Valley Aviation (OSV). All these airports provide convenient access points for private pilots wishing to explore this part of New Hampshire from above or simply get away from it all without having to travel too far from home.