Having grown up in Goffstown, I thought I knew pretty much all there was to know about it. After all, it was where I learned to drive and where I graduated high school. But, looking back, I really didn’t know it at all. During my tour of Goffstown several weeks ago, I observed so much more than what I saw through teenage eyes. Many of my summer days were spent hanging around the shores of Lake Uncanoonuc and Glen Lake. Lake Uncanoonuc hasn’t changed very much at all. It is still a wonderful places for gatherings of families and friends to cool off from the scorches of summer…
While the shores of Glen Lake, on the other hand, have gone through quite a transformation. Picnic tables and grassy areas have replaced the rocky strip of beach we all used to search for a place to lay our towels. The town has even added a boat launch and parking area…
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As a teenager, I loved exploring the area below the dam. The shores of the Piscataquag River always held something cool to find. Of course what I find cool now isn’t the same as what 15 year old me thought was cool. It was early August when Steve and I walked the trail to below the dam. The water was scarcely flowing, giving us so much more area to explore…
I was thrilled to find wildflowers in bloom…
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And birds happily singing from the bushes…
Things 15 year old me would have overlooked. As tempting as it was to while away the afternoon, we still had plenty to touring to do. We headed into the center of town to see what other changes the years had brought. A motorcycle run was leaving from The Village Trestle, so we parked Trouble and proceeded on foot…
Now there is a lovely park which overlooks the Piscataquog River and the old mill building reflected beautifully…
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A new(to me) Mexican restaurant sports a beautiful mural on the patio…
And around the corner, the old train depot has become the apothèca store…
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We went in search of another historic part of Goffstown. The Parker Depot…
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My favorite part of Parker Station was the gargoyles guarding the stairs to the path…
One thing I had overlooked while living in Goffstown was its rich farming history. I had the opportunity to visit one of the historic farms. The Kennedy Hill Farm, now owned by Templeton Family Organics was such a joy to visit. From their lovely farm stand…
With a welcoming feeling on the barn doors…
To their happy piglets, this farm has it all…
A drive along Shirley Hill Road now offers a view of Manchester in the background of the farm…
And a great view of Mount Uncanoonuc’s towers…
From the summit of Mount Uncanoonuc, you can see the massive antennas at the New Boston Air Force Station…
And feel dwarfed by the huge towers…
And there is always the “huh?” images…
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If you get hungry while visiting Goffstown, I suggest stopping at Magoo’s! They have some of the best fried food in the area…
I will leave you with a gallery of some of the other scenes from town. Barns and lakes and turkeys, oh my…
Touring NH 
I love to read about small town America. The USA is such a huge place, and small towns often get “drowned” by larger, more mainstreamed ones. Goffstown sounds like a lovely place.
Thank you. It’s funny, as a teen, I couldn’t wait to get out of my little town, and now, I’m very happy to go back and learn about all of the things I missed.
Expanding our ability to see is such a gift.
I’m glad my vision has grown to allow me to see things I was so oblivious to in my youth.
What great finds! I love your “Huh?” images. Going back all these years later certainly opened your focus to what is different and unique about the town. Great post, Laura!!
Thank you Martha. It was neat to see how much had changed and how much is the same. The bus stop shelter my dad and grandfather built when I was in grammar school still stands strong!
Laura what an incredible spot to grow up in! I agree that at 15 we likely don’t appreciate all such a spot has to offer. As always you find such unique things in your exploring. Is the photo of the characters a marionette puppet scene? Or are they just hanging like that?
Laura, Goffstown looks like a great place to grow up. I’ve had the same experience of returning to places I lived as a kid and marveled at what I hadn’t previously observed. What’s the story behind the blue police box? ~Terri
Great post, Laura. It was interesting to read about your reactions today compared to what you thought as a teenager. The photos were great, I especially liked the pair with the refelctions on the pond.
Thank you Robin. I think as a teen, I was all about moving onto “bigger and better” I never would have thought I would end up back in NH after my time in the Marines.
I really like the “huh” images again in this one. I think that call box is a Dr. Who thing but I could be wrong. They all seem very out of place. It is funny how you can return to a place of your youth and see it with new eyes.
I hadn’t thought about the Dr.Who possibility. I’m happy I could enjoy it now because as a teen, all I wanted was to move on.
I totally understand. I’m back in my hometown visiting family and although I could never ever live here again, I appreciate it now.
Loved this album….can you tell me where the red barn is? I will be up that way in October.
The red barn with the rusty roof is on Rt. 13, heading towards Clough State Park. It is almost at the Dunbarton line. And if I recall correctly, the Glenwood Farm barn is on Tirrell Hill Rd.
Goffstown is another one I’ve never been to. I’m not even sure I know what it’s near.
I wonder if there was ever a policeman in that box. If there was, why?
Glad you found some swamp milkweed and button bush.
Goffstown is bordered by Manchester, Bedford, New Boston and Dunbarton. Someone else commented the police booth may be a Dr. Who reference. When I saw the swamp milkweed, I thought of you. I wouldn’t have known what it was if it weren’t for your blog!
Looks like a great place to grow up Laura.
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Looking at it now, it sure was. As a teenager, I couldn’t wait to move on to bigger and better things.