Hillsborough, New Hampshire

Hillsborough (frequently spelled Hillsboro) is a census-designated place (CDP) and the main village in the town of Hillsborough in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, United States. The population of the CDP was 2,156 at the 2020 census, out of 5,939 in the entire town.

The Contoocook Mills Industrial District of Hillsborough, New Hampshire, encompasses the industrial mill complex of the Contoocook Mills, a major business in the town from the 19th century to the mid-20th century. Industry on the banks of the Contoocook River in Hillsborough began as early as 1763, when a sawmill and gristmill were operated in the area. More modern industrial activity began in 1828 with the construction of a cotton mill by Josiah Marcy. This three story timber frame building stands on the south side of Mill Street, on a granite foundation through which a raceway provide the water which powered the mill. Marcy expanded his operations, building a grist mill and saw mill before his death in 1848. The grist mill, a handsome brick building on the north side of Mill Street, was operated as such until 1884, after which it was converted into the picker building for the main mill complex.The "main mill" stands prominently overlooking the falls. It consists of two buildings, possibly built at different times, that are connected. The western portion, nearest Bridge Street, is a timber-frame construction built in 1865 by John Butler Smith, who purchased the existing mill complex from Marcy's heirs. He also built the dye house and office, brick buildings located south and east of the main mill. Smith's business was eventually incorporated as the Contoocook Mills Company, giving the complex its name. The mills were the community's largest employer for many years, producing mainly woolen underwear. The mills had shut down by the early 1960s, and were rescued from demolition by local community efforts. Some of the buildings have been converted to residential use, while others remain in light industrial use.A portion of mill complex, consisting of five buildings between Mill Street and the river, was first listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. This listing was expanded in 1985 to add buildings on the south side of Mill Street.

The Hillsborough Railroad Bridge was a historic covered railroad bridge spanning the Contoocook River in Hillsborough, New Hampshire. Built in 1903 by the Boston and Maine Railroad, it was destroyed by arson in 1985. The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. At the time of its nomination it was one of six covered railroad bridges in the state; it and at least one other (the Goffstown Covered Railroad Bridge) were destroyed by the actions of arsonists.

The Gov. John Butler Smith House, also now known as the Community Building, is a historic house at 29 School Street in Hillsborough, New Hampshire. The large Queen Anne Victorian is significant as one of few known residential works of a prolific New Hampshire architect, William M. Butterfield, and as the home of John Butler Smith, a principal owner of the local Contoocook Mills, who also served as governor of New Hampshire (1893–95). The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.

The North Branch of the Contoocook River (officially the North Branch River) is a 16.8-mile-long (27.0 km) river in southwestern New Hampshire in the United States. It is a tributary of the Contoocook River, part of the Merrimack River watershed. The North Branch begins in a highland region of lakes, swamps, and intricate stream networks in the town of Stoddard, New Hampshire. The U.S. Geographic Names Information System places the beginning of the North Branch at the outlet of Robb Reservoir in the southeast corner of Stoddard. Additional significant flow quickly arrives when the outlet of Highland Lake and Island Pond joins from the north. From here to Franklin Pierce Lake, the North Branch consists of a stairstep-like series of flatwater and wetland sections interspersed with sections of whitewater that are popular among New England kayakers. Below Franklin Pierce Lake it is a short distance to the Contoocook River in Hillsborough. Beards Brook enters the North Branch in Hillsborough just upstream of the river's end at the Contoocook. New Hampshire Route 9 follows the North Branch for most of the river's length.

Beards Brook or Beard Brook is a 12.5-mile-long (20.1 km) stream located in southern New Hampshire in the United States. It is a tributary of the North Branch of the Contoocook River, part of the Merrimack River watershed. Beards Brook begins at the outlet of Island Pond in the town of Washington, New Hampshire. The brook descends rapidly northeast to the village of East Washington, then turns south and enters Hillsborough. A significant tributary is Shedd Brook, entering from the west in Hillsborough. Beards Brook joins the North Branch of the Contoocook near Hillsborough village, just upstream of the Contoocook River.

Shedd Brook is an 11.3-mile-long (18.2 km) stream located in southern New Hampshire in the United States. It is a tributary of Beards Brook, part of the Contoocook River and Merrimack River watersheds. Shedd Brook begins at the north outlet of Highland Lake in Washington, New Hampshire. The brook flows east, crossing the small town of Windsor and entering Hillsborough. Hillsborough Upper Village is located where Black Pond Brook descends over falls to join Shedd Brook, which ends two miles downstream at Beards Brook. New Hampshire Route 31 follows Shedd Brook in Washington and Windsor.

Union Chapel is a historic chapel in Hillsborough, New Hampshire. Completed in 1887, it has been a center of local civic life since then, and is architecturally a distinctive local example of Stick/Eastlake design. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2009, and the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places in 2006.

Hawthorne–Feather Airpark (FAA LID: 8B1) is a privately owned public-use airport located three nautical miles (6 km) south of the central business district of Hillsborough, in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, United States. The airport is situated in Deering, New Hampshire. It was formerly used by Hawthorne College in Antrim, New Hampshire to train student pilots.

The Franklin Pierce Homestead is a historic house museum and state park located in Hillsborough, New Hampshire. It was the childhood home of the 14th president of the United States, Franklin Pierce.

Franklin Pierce Lake, also known as Jackman Reservoir, is a 483-acre (2.0 km2) reservoir located in Hillsborough County in southern New Hampshire, United States, in the towns of Hillsborough and Antrim. It is named for Franklin Pierce, the 14th president of the United States, who was born in Hillsborough. The lake impounds the North Branch of the Contoocook River and lies within the Merrimack River watershed. The lake is classified as a warmwater fishery, with observed species including rainbow trout, brown trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, horned pout, white perch, northern pike, bluegill, and black crappie.

Deering is a town in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 1,904 at the 2020 census.