Bristol, New Hampshire

Bristol, New Hampshire
Official seal of Bristol, New Hampshire Seal
Location in Grafton County, New Hampshire
Country	United States
State	New Hampshire
County	Grafton County
Incorporated	1819
Government
• Board of Selectmen	Rick Alpers, Chair Joseph Denning Bruce VanDervan Steve Favorite Paul Fraser
Elevation	466 ft (142 m)
Population  (2000)
• Total	3,033
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (Eastern)
Website	www.townofbristolnh.org

Bristol is a town in Grafton County, New Hampshire, USA. The population was 3,033 at the 2000 census. It is home to Wellington State Park and Sugar Hill State Forest. Surrounded by hills and lakes, Bristol includes the lower two-thirds of Newfound Lake, a resort area.

History

Minot-Sleeper Library in c. 1910

The town was incorporated in 1819. Extensive deposits of fine sand or clay similar to the "Bristol sand" used in Bristol, England to make fine china and pottery gave the town its name. Here the sand was used to make a superior quality brick, marketed as "Bristol brick." With water power from the Pemigewasset River, the town was a center of manufacturing in the early days for goods such as paper, leather, woolens, flannel, bedsteads and piano stools.

The scenic beauty of Newfound Lake, reputedly among the world's cleanest, began attracting summer tourists in the mid-1800s. Farmers at first rented rooms and provided meals, but in the 1870s, hotels and tent colonies were established along the shore to accommodate vacationers. In Bristol, the Hotel Bristol and G.G. Brown Hotel were built. In the 1920s, W.F. Darling created a compound of about 100 cottages for rent, first known as "Hiland Park," and later as "Bungalo Village." The lake, which is 2 and half miles wide and 7 miles long, is one of New Hampshire's deepest -- up to 180 feet (55 meters).

Notable Inhabitants:

• John Cheever, writer (summer resident)

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 57.7 km² (22.3 mi²). 44.9 km² (17.3 mi²) of it is land and 12.7 km² (4.9 mi²) of it is water, comprising 22.10% of the town. Bristol is drained by the Pemigewasset, Smith and Newfound rivers. The highest point in town is Bristol Peak, elevation 1,803 feet (549 meters) above sea level.

Demographics

This article describes the town of Bristol as a whole. Additional demographic detail is available which describes only the more densely-populated central settlement or village within the town, although those details are included in the aggregate values reported here. See: Bristol (CDP), New Hampshire.

Sugar Loaf Ledges in 1912

As of the census of 2000, there were 3,033 people, 1,219 households, and 830 families residing in the town. The population density was 67.5/km² (174.9/mi²). There were 2,073 housing units at an average density of 46.2 persons/km² (119.5 persons/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.08% White, 0.26% African American, 0.40% Native American, 1.38% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.49% from other races, and 1.35% from two or more races. 0.96% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,219 households out of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% were married couples living together, 11.0% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 31.9% were non-families. 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.94.

Hotel Bristol in 1911

In the town the population was spread out with 24.3% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 97.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $38,032, and the median income for a family was $44,766. Males had a median income of $31,088 versus $22,406 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,807. 6.9% of the population and 5.5% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 7.6% are under the age of 18 and 8.4% are 65 or older.

Education

Most of the 14-18 year old young adults are enrolled in Newfound Regional High School. However, Newfound is one of many schools in the United States that is haunted by a high drop-out rate.Some are part of a makeshift gang called the KOB, or "Kings of Bristol". Police have had minor encounters in the past with them, most of them very recent, as in the past year or two.

Newfound Regional High School is also known for its excellent running teams. With long time coach and Wal-Mart's 2003 "Teacher of the Year" Earl Mills as a coach. Mills has coached severeal wins and is said to host the best track meets in the state. They have also had a 4 year dynasty (2002-2005) of improvement and made it to global finals 4 years in a row. This was lead by team captain Mark Manganiello and coach Garlyn Manganiello (also known as "Coach Mango")

Culture

One of the main places to see some of the 14-18 year old demographic go is Cumberland Farms, also known as "Cumby's". The main attraction is the ability to buy a 32 oz slushie for $0.69.

Another popular place is the skate park behind Newfound Memorial Middle School. This is not very far from the TTCC, or Tapply-Thompson Community Center, formerly called the Bristol Community Center. There have been many events in there, including X-Box parties, karate courses, charity events, and summer camp.

Also downtown across from the fire station there is a quaint little hardware store, Parkhurst and Company, that is the town go-to place for odds and ends as well as agricultural products. It is also a good place to discuss town gossip.

We have some of the best beat-boxers in the Lakes Region, Maybe even the state. Newfound is the home to M.Lombard And Bridge. Two of the sickest beat boxres Ever!

External links

• Bristol, NH Official Website
• Wellington State Park
• New Hampshire Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau Profile