Explore Harrisville through two distinct themes: the history of its mills and trails along former railway lines. An audio tour leads to 26 stops and can be explored at your own pace; outdoors, there are also several trails of varying lengths and features. Depending on your interests, you can divide your time between local history, the tour and the trails.
Mills and History
Harrisville was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977. The Harrisville Historic District includes Harrisville Pond and the Lower Mill, also known as Cheshire No. 1 Mill. The Lower Mill was built between 1847 and 1850. Cheshire Mills ceased operations in 1970. These dates mark two milestones in Harrisville’s industrial history: the mill’s construction and its later closure. Historically, Harrisville is considered the only early 19th-century industrial community in America still preserved in its original form.
Another mill dates to an earlier period: the Harris Mill, also called the Upper Mill, was built by Milan Harris over Goose Brook in 1832–1833. Compared with the Lower Mill, it was built significantly earlier. The two construction periods mark different phases in Harrisville’s milling history.
The Audio Tour
The walking audio tour of Harrisville includes 26 stops. It is divided into three loops, each planned to take about 20 minutes. The approximate duration of each loop offers a practical guide for planning your time, while the self-guided format lets you explore at your own pace. When planning the tour, you can fit each section into your visit rather than relying on a single estimated total duration.
Trails Along Former Railway Lines
The Eastview Trail runs for 1.4 miles along the former Manchester & Keene Railroad line. The Jaquith Rail Trail runs for 1.5 miles through Harrisville and Hancock, also following this former railway line. It includes a repurposed historic steel truss bridge over Jaquith Brook. The Jaquith Rail Trail connects to the Eastview Trail at Jaquith Road in Harrisville. The routes differ in length by just 0.1 miles. They are therefore similar in scope; the Jaquith Trail also stands out for its bridge and its route through two towns.
Another nearby route, the North Pond Trail, follows the shore of North Pond for 1.6 miles. Its small trailhead is on Hancock Road in Harrisville, southeast of the North Pond Dam. Here, the shore of North Pond is the defining feature of the route.
Local Food and Gifts
The Harrisville General Store offers local food and gifts. This everyday stop complements the town’s historical and natural attractions.
Discover more destinations: Jaffrey, Rindge, Swanzey, Keene, Fitzwilliam, Chesterfield.
Return to the regional travel overview: Cheshire.
