History of Deerfield

The Town of Deerfield was originally the southwestern part of Nottingham. In 1766, the residents petitioned and received permission from the royal governor to become a separate town.

Lying along the main route between Concord and Portsmouth, the town soon became an active center of trade and commerce and remained so throughout its early history. Several small centers developed and thrived.

Shortly after its incorporation, the residents erected a Meeting House on Chase's Hill or what became known as the Old Center.

Deerfield Parade, located along the route to Portsmouth became quite a busy location with an inn for travellers, a store, and an academy to educate the sons and daughters of the doctors, lawyers, and other prominent citizens, who lived in its fine homes.

Leavitts Hill became the site for a store, a well-known creamery, and a post office.

South Road, which also lay on the main highroad, quickly became a center, of trade, commerce, and hospitality.

From 1770 to 1830 the population of the town increased from 1,200 to 2,100.

Education of its children has been an important part of the history of Deerfield. After choosing a site for the Meeting House and organizing a church, one of the first matters the early citizens considered was establishment of a grammar school. The first one-room schoolhouse must eventually have been established, and by the mid-19th century, the town had 15 school districts and 13 school buildings - one within walking distance of almost all children. Each school district operated almost autonomously with its own moderator, school board, clerk, and auditor.

Between 1830 and 1860 the population of the town began to stabilize, and the center migrated southward to its present location. By 1850 the "New Center" had three churches, a store, a hotel, and a new Town Hall.

After the Civil War, the population began to decline, as younger people left the community for jobs in the mill towns or to find better farm land in the west.

During the 1880s the town began to develop as a modest summer community, as tourists began to come to enjoy the nearby lakes and mountains.

By the census of 1930, however, the town's population had dropped to a mere 635 year-round residents. Following World War II, however, this trend began to reverse as commuters working in nearby cities began to buy homes in the country.

By 1950 the town's population and traffic patterns had changed sufficiently that the town felt it needed a central school. In that year the George B. White School was built. It was named in honor of Mr. George B. White of South Road. Upon his death, his widow auctioned the estate and gave the proceeds to help build the new school.

During the 1970s and 1980s the town's population exploded. During the decade the population increased by 67%, from 1,178 to 1,979. By 1990 the population was around 3,300.

Compiled by Laura Guinan November 20, 1997