Francestown blends outdoor adventure with historic, small-town charm
Francestown is a Hillsborough County town incorporated in 1772 with historic Colonial homes, acreage and condos near Crotched Mountain’s ski slopes and golf course. Rural roads wind past farms and town forests on the way to Crotched Mountain, a four-season hub for outdoor enthusiasts. Between Francestown’s hiking trails, farmers market and locally owned chocolate shop, this small town offers a combination of outdoor adventures and laid-back activities. About 30% of the population is over the age of 65, higher than the national average of 19%.
Historic homes and large lots span a wide price range
In the center of town, homes sit close together connected by sidewalks on Main Street. Otherwise, homes are few and far between on the rural roads. Francestown’s homes built between 1770 and 2015 include a wide range of prices, and architectural styles including Colonial, New Englander and antique Cape Cods. Prices generally range from about $390,000 to $1.1 million, depending on factors like age and acreage. Top prices can include over 50 acres. As of October 2025, the median single-family home sale price is about $580,000. About 88% of homes are owner-occupied. Townhouses and condos are clustered to the west near Crotched Mountain, and typically cost between $180,000 and $250,000.
Skiing, hiking and hunting in this Hillsborough County community
Peaking at just over 2,000 feet, Crotched Mountain is a hub for four-season outdoor recreation in the Monadnock region. “In the Monadnock area, a couple of the local meteorologists call it ‘the little snowball of New Hampshire,’” says Leslie MacGregor, a Hillsborough County resident and the director at GEP Dodge Public Library in the neighboring village of Bennington. “We have more severe weather because we have more elevation. It’s great for the ski area.” Crotched Mountain Resort offers ski slopes, terrain parks and night skiing. Crotched Mountain Golf Club has an 18-hole course, and in the winter, golfers can use the simulator to virtually play courses from around the world. Francestown has 1,500 acres preserved as town forests and conservation areas, where locals can hike and fish year-round and hunt from October through mid-December. At 900 acres, Crotched Mountain Town Forest is the biggest town forest; here, hikers may spot wildlife like moose, bear or coyote. There are 16 hiking trails in Francestown, some of which also permit other activities like snowshoeing and mountain biking.
Some shopping in Francestown; more in Peterborough, Hillsborough
Francestown has a few options for shopping and dining. Francestown Village Store carries an assortment of groceries and beer; it also has a coffee bar and deli counter. Locals can grab espresso drinks, bagels, sandwiches and baked goods at Bob’s Chocolate Café, or try a chocolate bonbon hand-painted by Bob Bitterli, the café’s owner and head chocolatier. On Fridays from May through October, the Francestown Community Market takes place at the Francestown Horse Sheds by the town hall; here, residents can shop for locally made products, baked goods and produce. “Peterborough is the largest town in the school district area,” MacGregor says. “To grocery shop, you can go to Peterborough or Hillsborough — there are supermarkets in both.” Peterborough, about 13 miles southwest, and Hillsborough, about 11 miles northwest, both have a Shaw’s for groceries and a variety of restaurant options.
Community traditions add to the area's small-town feel
Community gatherings like the Annual Scarecrow Contest give Francestown a close-knit feel. The contest, organized by the Francestown Recreation Department, invites families, groups and individuals to construct their own scarecrows, which stay on display through Halloween week in the center of town. A variety of community events also take place at the historic 1803 Old Meeting House, from weddings to summer concerts.
The Contoocook Valley School District offers transfer options
The Contoocook Valley School District, rated B on Niche, serves the community. Students may attend B-rated Francestown Elementary followed by C-plus-rated Great Brook School and B-rated ConVal Regional High School. “Nine towns feed into the high school,” MacGregor says. The high school features a robust career and technical education program, which offers internships at organizations like Monadnock Community Hospital and American Steel. Students can pursue school transfers within the district based on space availability.
Routes 136 and 47 run through Francestown
Francestown is a car-dependent town with no public transportation. However, drivers connect to the wider region via highways like Route 136, which leads about 11 miles to Monadnock Community Hospital. Route 47 also goes through Francestown, leading to Crotched Mountain. Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is about 25 miles to the east.
