West Side, Manchester, New Hampshire facts for kids
The West Side is a big part of the city of Manchester, New Hampshire, in the United States. It includes all the areas of the city that are west of the Merrimack River. You'll find neighborhoods like Northwest Manchester, Rimmon Heights, Notre Dame, Piscataquog, Wolfe Park, and Mast Road here. It's also right next to Pinardville in the town of Goffstown.
Historically, many parts of the West Side, like Notre Dame and Rimmon Heights, were home to French Canadian families. Other groups, like German families, also lived here, especially in Piscataquog. Today, the area has become more diverse, but it still has strong ties to its French Canadian past. Most of the developed areas are busy city neighborhoods. However, the outer parts, like Northwest Manchester, Wolfe Park, and Mast Road, are more like medium-sized towns or suburban areas.
Contents
A Look at West Side History
Let's explore how the West Side grew over time. Each part has its own interesting story.
How McGregorville Became Notre Dame
The lower part of Notre Dame, which is just west of downtown Manchester today, was first called McGregorville. It was named after the McGregor family. They built the city's very first bridge in 1792. This area later became a busy neighborhood known as the Flat Iron District. It was located below Rimmon Heights and next to the Amoskeag mill.
Piscataquog's Industrial Beginnings
Piscataquog was originally part of the nearby town of Bedford. It grew into an industrial area in the early 1800s. This happened where the Piscataquog and Merrimack rivers meet. The people living in this busy area, then called 'Sqoug Village, felt very different from the rest of rural Bedford. So, they asked to join the city of Manchester. The General Court (New Hampshire's state legislature) agreed in 1853.
The Rise of Rimmon Heights and Other Areas
Rimmon Heights developed later in the 1800s. This happened when a streetcar line was built up the hill and along Kelley Street. Kelley Street is still a main center for businesses in the neighborhood today. Mast Road and Wolfe Park also grew as typical streetcar suburbs. These areas developed along the streetcar lines that went to Goffstown Village and the Bedford town line.
Changes from Urban Renewal
Between the 1960s and early 1980s, two major business centers on the West Side, Granite Square and the Flat Iron District, were completely torn down. This was part of something called "urban renewal." Urban renewal projects aimed to rebuild older city areas. The much larger Flat Iron District was replaced with a shopping center, which is now mostly empty. An apartment building for older adults and an expansion of Catholic Medical Center were also built. In the Granite Square area, another apartment building for older adults and a shopping center were built after a fire, road changes, and a new highway exit.
The West Side's Comeback
In recent years, the West Side has started to recover from these big changes. Rimmon Heights was chosen in 2006 for the city's Neighborhood Initiatives program. Around the same time, the city changed the rules for building in Wolfe Park and Rimmon Heights. This was to encourage more traditional neighborhood styles. New landscaping and walking paths were added along Granite Street, which is a main entrance to downtown and the West Side.
The Piscataquog Trail, a fun rail trail (a path built on old railroad tracks), opened in 2006. It goes through much of the West Side and connects to downtown Manchester. You can cross the Merrimack River on a special bridge for walkers and bikers. New private buildings have also appeared. These include the expansion of Catholic Medical Center and the planned new main office for St. Mary's Bank. An old Amoskeag mill in the Notre Dame area was also turned into fancy homes. Several smaller projects have also happened in Rimmon Heights.
Fun Places to Visit on the West Side
The West Side has many interesting spots to explore!
- America's Credit Union Museum - This museum is in the original building of St. Mary's Bank. This bank was the very first credit union in the United States!
- Catholic Medical Center - This is a hospital that serves the community.
- Majestic Theatre - A local theater where you can watch plays and shows.
- Lafayette and Simpson Parks - These two parks are next to each other. They are in the heart of the West Side and offer great views of downtown Manchester.
- Manchester High School West - One of Manchester's high schools, where many students from the West Side go.
- Piscataquog Trail - A fun path for walking and biking. It goes through the West Side from Pinardville all the way to downtown Manchester.
- Rock Rimmon - A large cliff that gives you an amazing view of most of Manchester. It's a great spot for photos!
- Ste. Marie Church - A very large and beautiful church built in the Gothic Revival style. It stands out on the West Side skyline.
- West Side Arena - An ice rink where you can go ice skating or watch hockey games.
Parks to Enjoy
The West Side is home to many parks where you can play, relax, and enjoy nature.
- Black Brook Park
- Cullerot Park
- Gossler Park
- Lafayette Park
- Martineau Park
- Piscataquog Park
- Raco-Theodore Park
- Rock Rimmon Park
- Simpson Park
- Sweeney Park
- Wolfe Park
