Harrisville, New Hampshire
Cheshire County · Monadnock Region

Harrisville

America's Only Preserved 19th-Century Mill Village

Part of the Keene area

Visit Keene guide

About Harrisville

Harrisville is a small town in Cheshire County with just under 1,000 residents. The community relies on the Keene School District for education, with local employment centered around municipal services, healthcare through Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene, and childcare services at the Harrisville Children's Center. The town sits in the Monadnock region of southwestern New Hampshire, where rural living means longer drives for shopping and services. Residents here value the quiet pace and open space that comes with small-town life, though they depend on nearby Keene for most amenities and employment opportunities.

Why Harrisville?

  • Population under 1,000 offers genuine small-town atmosphere
  • Part of well-regarded Keene School District (SAU 29)
  • Access to Cheshire Medical Center healthcare services
  • Rural setting in scenic Monadnock region
  • Lower housing costs than more developed areas

Quick Facts

Population
988
County
Cheshire
Region
Monadnock Region
School District
SAU 29

Weather in Harrisville

44°F

Clear

Today

50 / 31

Sat

53 / 31

Sun

56 / 36

Map

Living in Harrisville

What you need to know about making Harrisville your home.

Major Employers

Town of HarrisvilleKeene School DistrictHarrisville Children's CenterCheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene

Schools & Education

Harrisville is part of the Keene School District (SAU 29).

Cost of Living

Housing costs are generally lower than in more developed parts of New Hampshire, though property taxes follow typical state patterns. Rural location means some savings on housing but higher transportation costs (est.).

Real Estate

$285,000 (est.) — reasonable for Cheshire County median home price

$18.50 per $1,000 (est.) — reasonable for NH property tax rate

No state income or sales tax in NH

View listings in Harrisville

Commute Times

15 min
Keene
2 hr 15 min
Boston
1 hr 15 min
Concord
25 min
Peterborough

School District

Regional district

Keene School District(SAU 29)

Grades served: PreK-12

Website

Students attend high school in Keene.

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

Harrisville local school (Keene School District)
PreK-12Elementary
Regional high school (in Keene) via Keene School DistrictBlackbirds
PreK-12High School

Hidden Gems in Harrisville

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

Eliza Adams Gorge

year-round

A stunning waterfall and gorge reached via a 1.6-mile hike through working forest lands. The falls cascade from Howe Reservoir Dam over weathered granite ledges, creating a powerful display that echoes through the forest. A footbridge spans the gorge, offering perfect views of the rushing water and rock formations carved over centuries. The trail includes steep switchbacks that add drama to your arrival at this hidden cascade.

Aldworth Manor Stone Entrance

year-round

An extraordinary Italian Renaissance villa that was literally moved piece by piece from Worcester, Massachusetts in 1908 on 17 railroad cars. The dramatic stone entrance with its ornate archways and yellow stucco walls seems impossibly out of place in rural New Hampshire. The mile-long dirt drive winds through rhododendron groves planted by the original owners, leading to this architectural marvel that has served as everything from a hunting lodge to a missionary school.

Rail Trail Granite Trestle Below Skatutakee Lake

year-round

A massive 100-year-old granite railroad bridge abutment where the old Manchester & Keene Railroad once crossed. The wooded trail parking area sits adjacent to this impressive stone structure, which local trailgoers use as a landmark. The trail itself weaves between several pristine ponds with glimpses of old railroad ties still embedded in the forest floor, creating an evocative connection to the area's industrial past.

Chesham Depot Rail Trail Starting Point

year-round

The remnants of an old Boston & Maine railroad station where a short, rough trail follows Minnewawa Brook through forest until it reaches a missing bridge that abruptly ends your journey. The trail offers open meadow views before plunging into woods, with roots across the narrow path that challenge cyclists. This lesser-used segment captures the ghostly feel of abandoned railroad infrastructure reclaimed by nature.

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