Andover, New Hampshire
Merrimack County · Lakes Region

Andover

Home of Proctor Academy and Potter Place

About Andover

Andover sits in the heart of New Hampshire's Lakes Region, a town that balances rural character with proximity to recreational opportunities. The community centers around Highland Lake and is bisected by Route 11, which connects residents to both Concord and the White Mountains. Much of the town's identity revolves around Proctor Academy, the prestigious boarding school that has been a cornerstone of the community since 1848, bringing students from around the world to this small New Hampshire town. The town maintains a strong agricultural heritage alongside its educational prominence, with working farms still dotting the landscape and the annual Fourth of July celebration drawing visitors from neighboring communities. Residents appreciate the town's location for outdoor recreation, with easy access to multiple lakes, the Northern Rail Trail for walking and biking, and proximity to ski areas. The combination of Proctor Academy's cultural offerings, the natural setting, and the genuine small-town atmosphere creates a unique environment that attracts both longtime New Hampshire families and newcomers seeking a quieter pace of life.

Why Andover?

  • Highland Lake and multiple ponds provide year-round recreation opportunities
  • Proctor Academy brings cultural events and educational resources to the community
  • Northern Rail Trail offers walking and biking through scenic countryside
  • Strong sense of community with active volunteer organizations and annual traditions
  • Central location provides access to both Concord and White Mountain recreation

Quick Facts

Population
2,371
County
Merrimack
Region
Lakes Region
School District
SAU 46

Weather in Andover

45°F

Partly Cloudy

Today

45 / 32

Thu

56 / 36

Fri

53 / 32

Map

Living in Andover

What you need to know about making Andover your home.

Major Employers

Proctor AcademyTown of AndoverAndover Elementary/Middle SchoolNew Hampshire Electric Cooperative

Schools & Education

Andover students attend the local elementary/middle school through grade 8, then continue to Merrimack Valley High School in Penacook as part of SAU 46. The district serves several small communities in the area.

Cost of Living

Housing costs reflect the town's desirable Lakes Region location and proximity to Proctor Academy, with prices somewhat above the state average. Property taxes are moderate for New Hampshire, helped by the significant tax contribution from the private school.

Real Estate

$385,000 median home price

$18.75 per $1,000 property tax rate

No state income or sales tax in NH

View listings in Andover

Commute Times

50 min
Keene
25 min
Concord
35 min
Lebanon
45 min
Manchester
15 min
New London

School District

Regional district

Merrimack Valley School District(SAU 46)

Grades served: PreK-12

Website

Students attend high school in Boscawen.

Andover serves as a district hub for students from nearby towns in this district.

Andover Elementary/Middle School
K-8Middle School
Merrimack Valley High SchoolTomahawks
9-12High School

Hidden Gems in Andover

Beyond the well-known attractions, Andover has spots that locals love and visitors rarely find.

Tucker Mountain Schoolhouse

summer

A perfectly preserved 1837 one-room schoolhouse tucked away in the hills of East Andover, complete with original desks bolted to slanted floors and walls that served as chalkboards. The only surviving schoolhouse in original condition from the 13 that once dotted Andover, it sits in complete rural solitude with hand-hewn beams and a two-hole privy in the attached shed. The remote location up Tucker Mountain Road feels like stepping back in time to when education was simpler but no less meaningful.

Richard Potter's Secret Garden

spring

A hidden sunken garden planted inside the cellar hole of America's first famous Black magician's mansion from the early 1800s. Located steps behind the Potter Place Railroad Station, this peaceful retreat was lovingly created by local volunteers who cleared decades of debris to reveal the stone foundation walls and filled it with donated plants. The garden sits opposite Richard Potter and his wife Sally's graves, creating an intimate memorial to this forgotten entertainer who made Potter Place famous.

Cilleyville Covered Bridge

year-round

Also called Bog Bridge, this 1887 covered bridge has a quirky tilt that locals say came from feuding carpenters who deliberately cut timbers short out of spite. The 53-foot span over Pleasant Brook was bypassed decades ago and now serves only foot traffic, making it a peaceful spot for contemplation. Inside, there's even a picnic table where you can sit and listen to the water flow beneath while examining the exposed Town lattice truss construction that gives the bridge its distinctive lean.

Keniston Covered Bridge

year-round

This 1882 bridge over the Blackwater River is unique among New Hampshire's covered bridges because its sides aren't fully sheathed, exposing the beautiful Town lattice trusses like an architectural skeleton. Built by Albert Hamilton and named for a prominent local family, it carries an unpaved road through rural countryside where you're more likely to encounter wildlife than other visitors. The exposed truss work creates dramatic patterns of light and shadow that change throughout the day.

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