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Cornish Colony

Cornish Colony

Neighborhood in Claremont, New Hampshire

Sullivan County 03745, 03781

$680,241 Average Value
$249 Average Price per Sq Ft
1 Home For Sale

A former art colony along the Connecticut River

With inspiring views of the lush Connecticut River Valley below and the peak of Mount Ascutney rising above the horizon, Cornish Colony’s natural beauty turned it into an artist's retreat from the late 1800s through World War I. “A lot of artists from New York City would spend the summer up there — painters, sculptors, writers, playwrights,” says Kate Cassidy, a Realtor with Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty. “It was quite the place to be in the early 1900s.” While it may no longer be an art colony today, Cornish Colony still draws in homebuyers looking to make a piece of the hilly country landscape their own without having to drive an hour to work. “The great thing about Cornish is you’re in a good spot for commuting to a lot of the employers in Lebanon and Hanover,” says Cassidy, who’s been selling homes here for 15 years.

Art and nature intertwine at Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park

Outdoor recreation here begins at Cornish Colony’s famed Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park. This historic home of internationally renowned sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens is a landmark for the Cornish Art Colony during the 19th century. Today, it draws residents and tourists for its blend of art and nature. Visitors explore enchanting gardens adorned with sculptures, hike along peaceful woodland trails and tour the home and its art studios. Untouched nature is found in the Cornish Wildlife Management Area, 42 acres of public woodland along the Connecticut River. “Moose, bear, cayotes — we have it all,” Cassidy says. Licensed residents can hunt for deer, turkey, and waterfowl in the fall. The Cornish WMA also features a boat and kayak launch. For athletic fields, residents can drive over the Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge into Windsor, Vermont, a town with several parks featuring baseball fields, basketball courts and tennis courts. It’s also home to John P. Larkin Country Club, with a public 9-hole course that features views of the Connecticut River.

In Cornish, discover Saint-Gaudens Park, the home of one of America's renowned sculptors.
In Cornish, discover Saint-Gaudens Park, the home of one of America's renowned sculptors.
Having a picnic in a shaded spot offers respite from the sun at Saint-Gaudens Park in Cornish.
Having a picnic in a shaded spot offers respite from the sun at Saint-Gaudens Park in Cornish.
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New England-style farmhouses with ample acreage

Homes in Cornish Colony rest along winding country roads that flow over hills and valleys. Streets shift from pavement to gravel and dirt as they pass through forests and patches of farmland. Privacy is ample, with properties often featuring dozens of acres of land. Styles range from small Cape Cod-inspired cottages to New England-style farmhouses and Victorian estates. Most single-family homes cost between $425,000 and $750,000, but large historic estates with over 30 acres of land can top $1 million. Cassidy says buyers are facing low inventory amid high demand. “As soon as COVID hit, someone put out the word that Vermont, Massachusetts and New Hampshire are the places to be, so we’ve been inundated with second-time home buyers,” Cassidy says. “It’s making it hard for first-time home buyers to enter the market.” She adds that properties here come with private wells and septic systems.

An emphasis on outdoor time at Cornish Elementary

The town of Cornish has one school: Cornish Elementary, which serves students from prekindergarten through eighth grade. The school, tucked behind Cornish’s quaint town hall, earns an A-minus from Niche. Students spend a lot of time outdoors, either learning in the school’s outdoor classrooms or taking part in unique programs like skiing. Due to the ruralness of the area, students travel out of Cornish for high school with four potential options. Windsor High in Windsor, Vermont, is the closest, about 5 miles west of the Cornish town center. It receives a C-plus. Lebanon High is in Lebanon, New Hampshire, roughly 18 miles north, and gets a B-plus. The C-plus-rated Hartford High is about 20 miles north in White River Junction, Vermont. Hanover High in Hanover, New Hampshire, is the farthest from Cornish at a little over 21 miles north. It earns an A-plus. Cassidy says families interested in private education often send their children to Kimball Union Academy, a boarding school that serves day students and earns an A-plus.

A short drive to Interstate 91 and I-89

With Cornish Colony spread out over hilly terrain, a personal vehicle is needed to travel around the area. Interstates 91 and 89 are a short drive away to reach destinations across the Upper Valley. While there is no public transportation in Cornish, Cassidy says there are options for commuters heading about 24 miles north to Hanover, New Hampshire. The town is home to Dartmouth College, a major employer in the area. “You can drive a short distance to Lebanon, park your car in a park-and-ride and catch the bus,” says Cassidy. The Lebanon Transportation Center is a stop for Dartmouth Coach, which takes riders to Boston Logan International Airport and New York City. Residents can catch an Amtrak train at the station in Windsor, Vermont. Cassidy notes that, aside from main thoroughfares, many roads in the area are gravel or dirt, so washouts are possible when heavy rain leads to flash floods.

Beautiful wildflowers growing on the side of the road in the town of Cornish.
Beautiful wildflowers growing on the side of the road in the town of Cornish.

Celebrating agriculture at the Cornish Fair

The ordinarily quiet Cornish town center becomes a lively attraction during the annual Cornish Fair each August. This three-day agricultural fair dates to 1950 and celebrates the area’s farming industry with educational livestock exhibitions and animal shows. “They have amusement rides and all the good junk food that comes with fairs,” Cassidy says. “They do a lot of agricultural events, like showing cows and pony pulling. You can buy produce and eggs.” Fairgoers can browse dozens of vendors and enjoy live music from local acts. The fair also hosts the state’s largest dairy show and a thrilling woodsmen competition.

Stocking up in West Lebanon

A short drive north up State Route 12A leads to Plainfield Country Store. Residents can fill up their gas tanks, sit down for a quick meal or pick up a few pantry items. For larger shopping trips, Cassidy says people drive roughly 12 miles into West Lebanon, the city of Lebanon’s commercial corridor. There, they can pick up essentials from familiar brands like Walmart Supercenter, Target, and Price Chopper. PowerHouse Mall is home to higher-end brands and boutiques like L.L. Bean and Country Kids Clothing. National restaurant chains such as Panera Bread, Applebee’s Grill & Bar and Mcdonald's dominate the food scene, but there are local eateries, including 110 Grill West. It offers a relaxed vibe for elevated American fare. Taste is a trendy spot for brunch, serving various versions of eggs benedict and a long list of classic sandwiches. When the weather is fair, families and friends go for minigolf and ice cream at Fore-U Golf Center and its partner shop, Ice Cream Fore-U.

DeeVa Payne
Written By
DeeVa Payne
Todd Beltz
Photography Contributed By
Todd Beltz
Lucas Dyke
Video By
Lucas Dyke

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood? Reach out to David Orlick, an experienced agent in this area.

Parks in this Area

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Cornish Colony US
Homicide 1 4
Sexual Assault 1 4
Assault with Weapon 1 4
Robbery 1 4
Burglary 1 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 1 4
Larceny 1 4
Crime Score 1 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$655,000
Median Single Family Price
$616,937
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$249
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Last 12 months Home Sales
3
Months of Supply
4.00
Median List Price
$637,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
7%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
13%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
52
Median Year Built
1969
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,975
Significantly above the national average
1,936
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
319,730

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood? Reach out to David Orlick, an experienced agent in this area.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
200
Median Age
54
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
16.5%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
30%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$89,285
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$111,273

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
96.2%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
41.5%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
18.2%
% Population in Labor Force
61.1%

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

3 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

0 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Cornish Colony