Colonial history and developing strides toward the future
Dating back two centuries, Dover was first a major colonial seaport and shipbuilding hub in the 1700s before eventually transitioning to cotton manufacturing in the 19th and 20th centuries. “Dover was once a mill town, so it has a lot of beautiful old brick buildings that have been converted, mostly into apartment rentals,” says Ali Stewart, a Realtor with East Key Realty who grew up in nearby Madbury and has lived near the seacoast her whole life. The city has since reinvented itself again as a riverfront community with major development, providing a lively place for outdoor recreation, small businesses and tech manufacturers. “Downtown has the Children’s Museum and a really active food scene with lots of restaurants,” Stewart says. Major employers in Dover include Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, the University of New Hampshire and Liberty Life Assurance. Residential and commercial tenants are housed within the restored Cocheco Mills building, which has become a major hub for downtown festivals and events. With fast access to Route 4 and its own commuter train station, Dover is a centrally located New Hampshire city near Maine’s border.
Dover residents enjoy the convenience of easy access to Amtrak train service.
Wentworth-Douglas Hospital plays a vital role in the healthcare landscape of Dover.
The adaptive reuse of the Cocheco Mills building in Dover has created a thriving community.
A walk through Dover reveals a town steeped in history.
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Dover's developing downtown and commercial tenants
Dover’s developing waterfront space along the Cochecho Riverwalk has led to more economic growth and a lively downtown atmosphere. Locally owned storefronts and walkable streets contribute to an accessible Main Street. “One of my favorite places is called Token’s Taproom on Central Avenue. It’s a really special place and the people there are fantastic,” Stewart says. The taproom faced closure during the pandemic, but Dover’s community and its neighboring business, Wing-Itz, came together to keep the place alive. It’s now a favorite among many 21-and-older locals with all-ages hours on weekends. “They have a large pinball collection, arcade games, Skee-Ball - my favorite - and even Nintendo 64 at the bar,” Stewart says. Central Avenue and High Street to the north of Downtown host major shopping centers, national chains like Walmart and Target, and regional grocery stores like Hannaford.
Hannaford serves as a vital community resource in Dover.
"For a taste of delicious wings and a fun night out, Dover residents often turn to Wing-Itz.
Buffalo Wings are on the menu at Wing-Itz in Dover.
Tokens Taproom in Dover is a fun place to play video games and enjoy craft beer.
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Apple Harvest Day and summertime concerts in Dover
Dover is best known for its Apple Harvest Day in October, a nearly 40-year tradition that celebrates the harvest season with food and craft vendors. The event also includes an apple pie eating contest and live music and has an attendance of roughly 60,000 people. During the summer, the city hosts a children’s concert series, the Cochecho Arts Festival and an Irish festival.
City parks, trails and weekends at the coastline
Dover's assortment of trails, parks and indoor recreation make it a popular place for people to get active. Bellamy Park has a disc golf course, while the Bellamy River Wildlife Management Area and Longhill Dog Park let people and their pets get some exercise. “Dover has everything you need close to the seacoast,” Stewart says. “It also has a lot of good trail systems. People bike and form dog walking groups, and Henry Law Park is a central hub by the Children’s Museum." The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire has several interactive experiences and exhibits, while Henry Law Park, just outside, has a large playground, the Rotary Arts Pavilion and an indoor pool. For weekends at the shore, Wallis Sands State Park and beach are about 16 miles and 35 minutes away when traffic is light.
Henry Law Park is a popular multi-use, city-owned park in Downtown Dover.
Bellamy Park is a 33-acre dog-friendly park with a disc-golf course in Strafford County.
Even in the rain locals show up to enjoy Longhill Dog Park.
The Children's Museum adds a unique and valuable dimension to the Dover community.
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New England homes, modern mansions and waterfront condos
The median single-family home price in Dover is about $595,000, and styles include New England cottages, ranch-style homes, colonial-inspired builds and cozy Cape Cods. Houses that cost between $600,000 and $1 million are often new constructions, modern traditionals and renovated Queen Annes or Victorian manors from the late 1800s. There is a selection of homes that cost between $1 million and $5 million, including some large new builds from the past five years, houses with plenty of acreage on former pastoral estates, or properties with private docks on the riverfronts near Dover Point. Condos and townhouses in apartment styles or attached dwellings can cost between $200,000 and $500,000, while detached units in planned communities, or those near the Cocheco River, can cost between $700,000 and $3 million.
The classic Colonial is a common sight in the picturesque streets of Dover.
Complementing the town's historic charm, modern condos add a dynamic element to Dover.
Cape Cod homes add to the charm of Dover neighborhoods.
Dover's landscape is evolving with the addition of newly built duplexes.
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Small but mighty Dover School District
Dover School District is graded an overall B on Niche and is home to five schools: three elementary, one middle and Dover Senior High School, which also scores a B. The district is small, with roughly 4,200 students, which means a lower student-to-teacher ratio than the national average. Dover Senior High School has dozens of extracurriculars, including clubs, organizations and sports teams. The University of New Hampshire is about 6 miles and 20 minutes south via Route 108 for higher education students looking to study in nearby Durham.
Dover benefits from its proximity to the University of New Hampshire in nearby Durham.
Dover Middle School is a public school in Strafford County that serves students grades 5-8.
Horne Street School is in Dover, New Hampshire.
Dover High School is a public high school in Strafford County.
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Amtrak Downeaster commutes to Boston and Portland
Downtown is pretty walkable for most folks, but the city’s bus system also has several stops throughout the area. Dover has its own train station off Chestnut Street for the Amtrak Downeaster. Commuters can take the train south to Boston in about an hour and a half, or they can take it an hour north to reach Portland, Maine. Major roadways like Route 4, Route 125 and Route 101 take drivers west into the heart of New Hampshire to reach cities like Manchester and Concord within an hour.
Average crime and weather in Dover
According to the FBI Crime Data Explorer, violent crime in Dover in 2023 was below the state and national average, while property crime fluctuated above and below New Hampshire’s state average. Dover’s annual rain and snowfall is higher than the national average, with about 53 inches of snow yearly. Though the city isn’t the coldest in New Hampshire, it is still slightly colder than the national average, with a low of 13 degrees in January and a high of 81 degrees in July.
DARLENE COLWELL-ELLIS LISTING EXPERT| BROKER LICENSED IN NH & ME A seasoned professional, Darlene will efficiently walk you through every step of the home-selling process. She's been working with buyers and sellers since 1991. Many of her closed transactions have been born from referrals. Here’s why she can help guide you through the process with a terrific outcome: She’ll talk over details with you and offer ideas to help you have clear expectations as she sells your home. After she sets a fair market value for your home, she can navigate any bidding war so you realize your best options to meet your wants and needs. Her veteran status in the industry, from Dover, NH, and throughout the region, gives her insights into agents and brokerages. Though she works primarily on behalf of single-family home sellers, she's also brokered million-dollar commercial deals and manages apartment rentals in Strafford & Rockingham counties. Beyond dedication to her clients, Darlene is a designated resource for other agents within Keller Williams and is actively involved in the continued development of the Dover community. Although her close relationship with her grown sons and young grandchildren keeps her local during most of the year, she also regularly carves out time for mission projects worldwide.
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.
