Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire Facts for Kids

Fitzwilliam is famous for Rhododendron State Park. This park has a 16-acre area filled with beautiful native rhododendron flowers. They usually bloom in mid-July, creating a stunning display of color.

History of Fitzwilliam
Geography and Nature
- Land and Water Features
- Roads and Nearby Towns
Population Over Time
Education in Fitzwilliam
Places to Visit in Fitzwilliam
- Historic Places on the National Register
Notable People from Fitzwilliam
See also

History of Fitzwilliam

Early Beginnings and Naming

The area now known as Fitzwilliam was first given out in 1752. It was called "Monadnock No. 4" back then. This was one of eight towns settled by people from Scotland. They came to live in what was then British North America, ruled by the British.

In 1773, the town was officially formed by Governor John Wentworth. He named it Fitzwilliam after his cousin, William Fitzwilliam, who was a British nobleman.

Important Early Settlers

Two important people who received land in Fitzwilliam early on were Matthew Thornton and James Reed.

Matthew Thornton was one of the people who signed the United States Declaration of Independence. This important document declared America's freedom from Britain.
James Reed was a soldier who led the 3rd New Hampshire Regiment in the Battle of Bunker Hill. This was one of the first major battles of the American Revolutionary War.

Local Industries and Growth

Fitzwilliam is proud to have one of the oldest granite quarries in New Hampshire. A quarry is a place where stone is dug out of the ground. Other important jobs in the town included working with wood and making yarn.

In 1848, the railroad came to Fitzwilliam. This made it easier for people and goods to travel, helping the town grow.

Historic Town Center

Fitzwilliam has a very pretty town center, called the Common. It is surrounded by twelve old houses. This area is so special that it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as an important historical site in the United States.

Geography and Nature

Land and Water Features

Fitzwilliam covers a total area of about 93.3 square kilometers (about 36 square miles). Most of this area, about 89.7 square kilometers (34.6 square miles), is land. The rest, about 3.6 square kilometers (1.4 square miles), is water. Water makes up almost 4% of the town's total area.

The highest point in Fitzwilliam is Little Monadnock Mountain. It stands about 574 meters (1,883 feet) tall and is located in the western part of town. A hiking path called the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail goes over the top of this mountain. There's also a shorter path from Rhododendron State Park that leads to the summit.

The town's water flows into the South Branch of the Ashuelot River. This river starts at Bowker Pond. All the water in Fitzwilliam eventually flows into the Connecticut River watershed. A watershed is an area of land where all the water drains into a single river or lake.

Roads and Nearby Towns

State routes 12 and 119 help people travel through Fitzwilliam.

Fitzwilliam shares its borders with several other towns:

To the north: Troy
To the northeast: Jaffrey
To the east: Rindge
To the southeast: Winchendon, Massachusetts
To the south: Royalston, Massachusetts
To the west: Richmond

Population Over Time

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1790	1,038	—
1800	1,240	19.5%
1810	1,301	4.9%
1820	1,167	−10.3%
1830	1,229	5.3%
1840	1,366	11.1%
1850	1,482	8.5%
1860	1,294	−12.7%
1870	1,140	−11.9%
1880	1,187	4.1%
1890	1,122	−5.5%
1900	987	−12.0%
1910	1,148	16.3%
1920	962	−16.2%
1930	850	−11.6%
1940	824	−3.1%
1950	872	5.8%
1960	966	10.8%
1970	1,362	41.0%
1980	1,795	31.8%
1990	2,011	12.0%
2000	2,141	6.5%
2010	2,396	11.9%
2020	2,351	−1.9%
U.S. Decennial Census

The population of Fitzwilliam has changed quite a bit over the years. In 1790, there were 1,038 people living in the town. The population grew steadily for a while, reaching its highest point in 2010 with 2,396 residents. By 2020, the population was 2,351.

Education in Fitzwilliam

Students living in Fitzwilliam attend public schools in the area.

High school students go to Monadnock Regional High School, which is located in the nearby town of Swanzey.
Younger students attend Emerson Elementary School for their elementary education.

Places to Visit in Fitzwilliam

Fitzwilliam has several interesting places to visit, especially if you like history and nature.

Amos J. Blake House (1837): This historic house is home to the Fitzwilliam Historical Society. It's a great place to learn about the town's past.
Rhododendron State Park: As mentioned, this park is famous for its beautiful rhododendron blooms in July. It's a wonderful spot for nature lovers.

Historic Places on the National Register

Several sites in Fitzwilliam are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, meaning they are important historical landmarks:

Fitzwilliam Common Historic District: This is the picturesque town common and the historic houses around it. It was added to the list in 1997.
Old Patch Place: This historic site is located on Rhododendron Road, right at the entrance to Rhododendron State Park. It was added to the list in 1980.
Third Fitzwilliam Meetinghouse: This historic meetinghouse is located on the Village Green. It was added to the list in 1977.

Notable People from Fitzwilliam

Many interesting people have connections to Fitzwilliam. Here are a few:

Joseph Lee Heywood (1837–1876): He served as a treasurer.
Nahum Parker (1760–1839): He was a U.S. senator, representing his state in the national government.
Elijah Phillips (1809–1832): He was an early settler in the state of Illinois.
Edward C. Reed (1793–1883): He was a US congressman from New York.
James Reed (about 1722–1807): A brigadier-general during the American Revolutionary War.
Frank E. Riley (1865–?): He was a state assemblyman in Wisconsin.
Harry Dexter White (1892–1948): An important economist and official in the United States Department of the Treasury.

Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire facts for kids

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