Hudson, New Hampshire

Hudson is a steadily growing suburb of Nashua on the Massachusetts border. With slightly under 25,000 residents according to the 2005 census, Hudson is now ranked tenth among New Hampshire's cities and towns. Its size offers a wide variety of new developments and established residential neighborhoods combined with blossoming commercial and industrial development.

Hudson residents enjoy quick access to Routes 293, 111, and 101A, making the town a convenient bedroom community for most of southern New Hampshire and the Route 495 belt. Recently several large companies have moved offices to Hudson, drawing a steady stream of new residents and commuters. The town’s location also makes accessible the cultural and recreational opportunities of the NH Seacoast and Lakes regions and Boston.

Hudson was originally one of the many towns that was split from the 1673 Massachusetts Dunstable grant. After the state border was established in 1741, Hudson was incorporated as Nottingham West, but in 1830 it was renamed Hudson because of its proximity to the point where the Merrimack River was discovered to be flowing from the north instead of east from the Hudson River. Some historic areas remain, but much of Hudson as it now stands has been built in the past fifty years. Town landmarks include The Alvirne Hills House, home of the Hudson Historical Society and the town’s historical artifacts, and the charming stone Alvirne Chapel, both on Route 102.

Several recreational areas of note remain in Hudson. Two small lakes, Robinson Pond in the northern part of town and Otternic Pond near Hudson Center, both feature public access boating and fishing and are also used for skating and ice hockey in winter. Musquash Pond and Conservation Land, on which passive recreation is allowed, is a wild bird sanctuary that serves as a breeding ground for several threatened and endangered species. The town also boasts 2 public golf courses, a wide variety of youth sports leagues, several multi-use trails, and an indoor skating rink.

The Hudson school system serves approximately 4000 students and includes four elementary schools, one middle school, and Alvirne High School. Alvirne also houses to the Wilbur H. Palmer Vocational-Technical Center, a business-oriented vocational school. The Presentation of Mary Academy, a large co-ed Catholic day school Pre K-8, is also located in Hudson.

Sources:

http://www.ci.hudson.nh.us/

http://www.nhes.state.nh.us/elmi/htmlprofiles/hudson.html