Gilmanton is a town located in Central New Hampshire in the Lakes region of the state. It is situated in Southern Belknap County and encompasses a total area of 59 square miles, only 1.8 of which is water. As of the 2010 United States Census, Gilmanton was home to 3,777 people.
In its early years, Gilmanton was first known as Gilmanton, as it was home to the Gilman family who migrated from the nearby town of Exeter. It was officially incorporated in 1727 and, for a time, was the second-largest town in all of New Hampshire. The original town included parts of Gunstock Parish, Hurricane, Tioga, Factory Village and Lakeport.
Nearly 3 percent of Gilmanton’s total area is comprised of water, encompassing 1.8 square miles. The town includes Crystal Lake and Shellcamp Pond, and it lies within the Merrimack River watershed. The highest point in Gilmanton is located at Mount Mack, where elevation reaches 1,945 feet above sea level.
The town of Gilmanton is governed by an elected Board of Selectmen. It boasts a full-time and part-time police department, a full-time and part-time fire department and municipal emergency medical services. Top employers in the area include Stratham Tire, Wolcott Construction, Clairmont Asphalt Paving & Excavation, Nutter Enterprise, Brian Forst Transportation, Ryder Truck Rental and Millennium Motors.
Children in the area attend the Gilmanton School for grades kindergarten through sixth. For seventh through 12th grades, they are tuitioned to Gilford Middle School and Gilford High School, located in nearby Gilford. For entertainment, Gilmanton residents can take advantage of the town’s municipal parks, youth organizations and sports leagues, fishing and hunting areas, boating marinas, snowmobile trails and local beaches. The town also operates its own recreation department and hosts various annual events, including a Fourth of July celebration, Old Home Day and more.