The town of Milford is what many people picture as the quintessential American small town. From its location by the Souhegan River to its charming downtown area, Milford, with an estimated 2005 population of around 13,500, exudes a friendly and peaceful atmosphere. This small-town environment - combined with plenty of recreational opportunities including a Boys and Girls Club, a local school system that educates 2,600 pre-school through high school students within its five school facilities., and a location minutes from Nashua - makes the quality of life in the town one of the best in southern New Hampshire.
Incorporated in 1794, Milford was most likely named for the Mill Ford, a shallow part of the river near the town where an early mill was located. The town rose to prominence initially because of the thriving granite industry. Known as the Granite Town in the Granite State, high quality granite is still quarried in the area. Today, the town is also home to manufacturing, information, and service-oriented businesses and is a tourist destination because of its many antique shops and craft stores.
Of special interest is the downtown area. In the center of town is found the Oval, a small park area with a beautifully restored bandstand that has become a Milford trademark.
Downtown Milford also provides a sense of unity and pride for the community. With efforts begun in the early 90’s by a grass-roots organization called the Milford Main Street Program Ongoing Improvement Team, much of the downtown area has been restored. In 2002, Milford was honored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Main Street Center with its Great American Main Street award.
Another Milford trademark, on Route 101 on the west side of the town, is the famous Milford Drive-In, the last remaining drive-in theater in southern New Hampshire. In continuous operation since 1958, the theater attracts patrons from all over New England who want to experience the fun, and the nostalgia, of drive-in movies.
Sources:
www.city-data.com/city/Milford -New-Hampshire.html
www.nhes.state.nh.us/elmi/htmlprofiles/milford.html
