Contoocook, New Hampshire
Contoocook is a community of 1,376 people in Merrimack County, New Hampshire.
Why visit Contoocook
Townapedia lists 5 museums and landmarks, 10 parks and trails, 3 places to eat and 6 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Contoocook Covered Railroad Bridge, Rowell's Covered Bridge, Contoocook Railroad Bridge and Contoocook Railroad Depot.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 82°F; February lows average 11°F.
Weather in Contoocook
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Contoocook
Contoocook is a village and census-designated place (CDP) within the town of Hopkinton, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 1,427 at the 2020 census. Contoocook is well known for its growth of small businesses, preservation of historical landmarks, community involvement and recreational activities within the village.
From the Wikipedia article Contoocook, New Hampshire (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do6
Contoocook Covered Railroad Bridge
Bridge · 0.5 mi
Historic wooden railroad covered bridge. Stone abutments and one central stone pier.
1 Park Avenue, Contoocook
Rowell's Covered Bridge
Bridge · National Register of Historic Places · 3.2 mi
Museums and landmarks5
Contoocook Railroad Bridge
Bridge · National Register of Historic Places · 0.5 mi
Oldest surviving covered railroad bridge
Contoocook Railroad Depot
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.6 mi
Railway station in Hopkinton, New Hampshire
896 Main Street, Contoocook
Stanley Tavern
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.3 mi
Historic building in Hopkinton, New Hampshire, United States
William H. Long Memorial
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.4 mi
Hopkinton, New Hampshire, listed on the NRHP in Merrimack County, New Hampshire
Parks, trails and playgrounds10
Restaurants and cafes3
Riverside Pizza
Restaurant · Pizza, Italian, Sandwich, Ice Cream · 0.5 mi
14 Park Avenue, Contoocook
11:00-20:00
History
The village is named after the Contoocook River that runs through it. The name Contoocook comes from the Pennacook tribe of Native Americans and perhaps means "place of the river near pines". Other variations of the name include the Abenaki meaning "nut trees river" or Natick language meaning "small plantation at the river". In previous centuries the area was known as "Contoocookville". It is the birthplace of Civil War naval officer George H. Perkins. His daughter Isabel Weld Perkins and his son-in-law Larz Anderson maintained Perkins Manor as one of several summer homes.
In describing the approach to Perkins Manor one commentator writes:
"In passing up the Concord and Claremont Railroad from Concord, the observant traveler has doubtless noticed the substantial and comfortable-looking homestead with large and trim front yard, shaded by thickly planted and generous topped maples, on the right-hand side of the road after crossing the bridge that spans 'Contoocook's bright and brimming river' at the pleasant-looking village of Contoocookville in the northern part of Hopkinton."
From the History section of Contoocook, New Hampshire on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Churches and places of worship1
Shopping1
Gas and EV charging3
Schools, colleges and libraries7
Map of Contoocook
36 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 32°F | 12°F | 3.3 in |
| Feb | 36°F | 11°F | 3.1 in |
| Mar | 43°F | 20°F | 3.8 in |
| Apr | 57°F | 32°F | 3.9 in |
| May | 69°F | 43°F | 3.7 in |
| Jun | 77°F | 52°F | 4.5 in |
| Jul | 82°F | 58°F | 4.3 in |
| Aug | 81°F | 56°F | 4.0 in |
| Sep | 74°F | 47°F | 4.0 in |
| Oct | 60°F | 37°F | 5.4 in |
| Nov | 47°F | 28°F | 3.9 in |
| Dec | 37°F | 19°F | 4.3 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Hopkinton Lake (3 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Merrimack County has had 21 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for severe storms.
- 2020-04-03: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2018-01-02: Severe Storm And Flooding (Severe Storm)
- 2013-03-19: Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm (Severe Storm)
- 2012-10-30: Hurricane Sandy (Hurricane)
- 2011-11-01: Severe Storm (Severe Storm)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Concord Municipal Airport (CON) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 11 miles away.
- Concord 8 mi east, about 12 min by car
- Belmont 19 mi northeast, about 30 min by car
- Manchester 22 mi southeast, about 35 min by car
- Bristol 26 mi north, about 41 min by car
- Laconia 27 mi northeast, about 43 min by car
- Derry 32 mi southeast, about 52 min by car
- Londonderry 32 mi southeast, about 51 min by car
- Claremont 33 mi west, about 53 min by car
- Nashua 35 mi south, about 57 min by car
- Keene 36 mi southwest, about 57 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Contoocook Railroad Depot, Contoocook NH, John Phelan, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Contoocook Covered Railroad Bridge Staining, Steve Lux, Jr., CC BY-SA 4.0
- Contoocook Covered Railroad Bridge Staining and lift, Steve Lux, Jr., CC BY-SA 4.0
- Stone arch bridge over the Contoocook River in Contoocook, New Hampshire. - panoramio, grumpytimm, CC BY 3.0
- Stone arch bridge and covered railroad bridge in Contoocook, New Hampshire - panoramio, grumpytimm, CC BY 3.0
- Contoocook River Dam in Contoocook - panoramio, grumpytimm, CC BY 3.0
- Women's waiting room at Contoocook Depot, November 2013, Steve Lux, Jr. at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 1.0
- Contoocook Depot Ticket Agent Window, Steve Lux, Jr. at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 1.0
- HopkintonNH ContoocookRRDepot, User:Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Bridges over the Contoocook River in Contoocook, New Hampshire, Ken Gallager at English Wikipedia, Public domain
- HopkintonNH WilliamHLongMemorial, User:Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0
- HopkintonNH StevensTavern, User:Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0
- HopkintonNH RowellsBridge, User:Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Don't believe the liberal media & Ted Cruz signs (22072493920), Marc Nozell from Merrimack, New Hampshire, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Food (21637815904), Marc Nozell from Merrimack, New Hampshire, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Ted Cruz (22260535295), Marc Nozell from Merrimack, New Hampshire, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Ted Cruz (22260535295) (cropped), Marc Nozell from Merrimack, New Hampshire, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Carson Signs (22271039101), Marc Nozell from Merrimack, New Hampshire, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Beautiful venue (21639517973), Marc Nozell from Merrimack, New Hampshire, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Carson supporters arrive (22260540355), Marc Nozell from Merrimack, New Hampshire, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Waiting for Ted (22072509860), Marc Nozell from Merrimack, New Hampshire, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Don't believe the liberal media (22247731952), Marc Nozell from Merrimack, New Hampshire, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Fashion (22073692949), Marc Nozell from Merrimack, New Hampshire, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Ted Cruz (22271021171), Marc Nozell from Merrimack, New Hampshire, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Ted Cruz taking a selfie (22234469986), Marc Nozell from Merrimack, New Hampshire, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Ted Cruz (22271019751), Marc Nozell from Merrimack, New Hampshire, USA, CC BY 2.0
- TRUMP MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN (Trump supporter car) (22260560445), Marc Nozell from Merrimack, New Hampshire, USA, CC BY 2.0
- FOX viewer (22234471886), Marc Nozell from Merrimack, New Hampshire, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Don't look into his eyes! (22247710392), Marc Nozell from Merrimack, New Hampshire, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Trump supporter car (22234489566), Marc Nozell from Merrimack, New Hampshire, USA, CC BY 2.0
- The Watcher (22072500750), Marc Nozell from Merrimack, New Hampshire, USA, CC BY 2.0
- CRB 8.7.24 - 4, Varneykr, CC BY-SA 4.0
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