About Hinsdale

Located in the southwestern corner of the state, Hinsdale was chartered in 1753. It was named for Colonel Ebenezer Hinsdale. Col. Hinsdale served as chaplain at Fort Dummer, an important trading post on the Connecticut River, later enlisting as an officer in the army. Then, in 1742, he established Fort Hinsdale. Settlers came from Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut to homestead. A number of farms grew up along the Connecticut River near the confluence of the Ashuelot River. The area had been a favorite of the Native Tribes that inhabited the region.

As the town grew so did industry and a village area was established on the Ashuelot River. Water power was a necessity for, at first, woolen mills and later paper mills to become the driving force for the town to grow. By 1850 rail service began from South Vernon, Vermont to Keene, NH via Hinsdale and the Ashuelot River valley. In 1912 a rail spur was established from Dole Junction, on Northfield Rd., to Brattleboro. With the commencement of rail service, the town grew exponentially. There were a number of mills, machine shops, a foundry and manufacturing establishments during the industrial boom. Hinsdale was a thriving community.

The highest point in town is Wantastiquet Mountain, at 1,378 feet (420 m) above sea level, located on the town's northern boundary and overlooking the Connecticut River and Brattleboro, Vermont to the west. Hinsdale NH is centrally located within New England and is served by routes 119 and 63 with easy access to Interstate 91.