Carroll County Profile

County seat: Ossipee

Carroll County, organized in 1840, was named for the last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence, Charles Carroll. Chocorua Mountain, in Tamworth, is named for a legendary Indian chief who either leapt from his death from the mountain or died from a bullet wound there. It is one of the most photographed mountains in Carroll County.

The first nails produced by machine in this country were made in Chocorua in 1770. In 1785 the Tamworth Iron Works was started to take the iron out of Ossipee Pond. In 1804 the Tamworth Iron Works fashioned the first screw augers made in the nation, which replaced pod augers. The Tamworth Iron Works became the Chocorua Iron Works in 1890.

Carroll County is located in east central New Hampshire, bordering Maine to the east. Its 933 square miles is dominated by the White Mountain National Forest in the northern half. With Mount Washington to the north and Lake Winnipesaukee to the south, its major industry is tourism and recreation, with forestry being the second largest industry. Approximately 45% of the jobs are in accommodations and food service; retail trade; arts, entertainment and recreation. Manufacturing accounted for 6.8% of the private employment in 2001, well below the 16% state average.

Agriculture in CarrollCounty is on the rise. According to the 2002 Census of Agriculture, there are approximately 229 farms in the county, with more than 29,000 acres of farm land. The average size of a typical working farm is about 130 acres. Carroll County ranks 10th, statewide, in most areas of agricultural production, with the following exceptions: poultry, eggs, hogs and pigs – 4 th of ten; Vegetables, melons and potatoes – 5 th ; nursery, greenhouse and horticulture – 6 th ; horses, mules and donkeys – 7 th.

Two of the largest of its eighteen towns, Conway and Wolfeboro, stand out as popular destinations for tourists and outdoor enthusiasts. Carroll County's largest town is Conway, with a population of 8,710. The county's total population is 36,439. The County is comprised of 18 towns - Albany, Bartlett, Brookfield, Chatham, Conway, Eaton, Effingham, Freedom, Jackson, Hart’s Location, Madison, Moultonborough, Ossipee, Sandwich, Tamworth, Tuftonboro, Wakefield, and Wolfeboro; and one location – Hales Location.

One hundred sixteen lakes are located in CarrollCounty, making it an excellent spot for fish, boating, and swimming. The White Mountain National Forest covers 145,005 acres of the county. State parks include Crawford Notch State Reservation, Echo Lake, Cathedral Ledge, Wentworth State Park and White Lake State Park. The Kancamagus is a 34 mile scenic byway running from Lincoln to Conway. Cathedral Ledge is one of the most popular spots in the country for rock climbing. Its offers a variety of routes for beginner to expert.