Derry

Derry traces its roots to 1719 when Scotch-Irish Presbyterian families from County Londonderry, Ireland, settled the area and established one of the first Ulster Scots communities in New England. Robert Frost lived on a farm here from 1900 to 1911, writing many of his most famous early poems — the farmstead is now the Robert Frost Farm, a National Historic Landmark and state park open for tours and poetry readings. Alan Shepard, Pinkerton Academy class of 1940, grew up in Derry before becoming the first American in space in 1961 and later walking on the moon during Apollo 14. Pinkerton Academy itself is one of the largest independent high schools in the country, serving as the public high school for Derry and several surrounding towns. The town sits along the I-93 corridor with a straightforward commute to Manchester or the Massachusetts border, and its mix of suburban neighborhoods, local farms, and wooded conservation land gives it a feel that's distinctly residential without being cookie-cutter. For recreation, Don Ball Park on Hampstead Road provides baseball and softball fields where local teams play throughout the season, while the conservation areas offer trails for walking and hiking. Downtown Derry has been investing in its walkable village center around the Alan Shepard Civic Plaza and Broadway. The combination of historical sites, recreational facilities, and easy highway access makes Derry a practical base for families who want space to spread out while staying connected to the broader region.