Gorham has scenic views and outdoor recreation
In the Androscoggin Valley, Gorham, 6 miles from Berlin, New Hampshire, is surrounded by the picturesque White Mountains. The Grand Trunk Railway System put Gorham on the map, and visitors flocked to the mountainous area for its scenic landscape and outdoor recreation. While the railroad shut down in the 1920s, the community continues to be a destination for nature lovers. “People come here for the recreation,” says Debra Davis, a broker and Realtor with RE/MAX Northern Edge Realty. Davis has been working in the industry since 2010. “It’s quiet country living, a small town, people know each other, and it’s nearby lakes and lots of mountain hiking.”
Parks and trails near Main Street and on Mount Washington
Along Main Street is the Town of Gorham Common, where residents may play baseball or soccer on the open fields and practice tennis on the hard-top courts. Nearby is the Gorham Community Playground for little ones to enjoy. Also along Main Street is the Androscoggin Valley Country Club, a public 18-hole golf course. The SSG Tanner Soccer Grone Field and a baseball field on Libby Street surround Libby Pond. The pond freezes over in the winter, and residents may skate and use the warming hut. Gorham has access to numerous hiking trails, such as the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Stony Brook Trail. The Parks & Recreation Department offers Moose Tours, where curious animal lovers may spot moose and other local critters. The buses depart from Main Street at dusk and take three to four hours.
The serene Moose Brook State Park borders Gorham and has a collection of trails and campsites. Visitors hike or mountain bike along the trails, and some fish in the Peabody and Moose Rivers. Gorham is adjacent to the Presidential Range, and the popular Mount Washington State Park is 15 miles away. ATVs and other off-road vehicles may drive to the state park using the Mount Washington Auto Road, though tickets must be purchased beforehand. There are hiking trails throughout the park and cross-country skiing in the winter.
Homes built in valleys along popular roadways
Most homes are clustered near Main Street or state Route 16. The area is surrounded by lush greenery, and most homes are on spacious, manicured lots. Many houses near Main Street are part of the public water and sewer system, while those farther out tend to have wells and septic systems. National, Dutch Colonial Revival and raised-ranch style homes are common. They range from $140,000 to $450,000.
Shopping and dining along Main Street
Restaurants line Main Street, such as the Dynasty Buffet, an all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet with a sushi bar. Down the road, J’s Corner Restaurant & Lounge is in an unassuming white house offering comfort food in a diner-style area and handcrafted cocktails at a modern, light-up bar. Road Hawg BBQ Swine Dining is nearby and serves comfort and pub food on skillets. Off the main drag is a Marshalls for goods and furniture, and a Walmart Supercenter provides groceries and other necessities. More groceries can be found at Berlin Marketplace, 6 miles away.
Library programs, live performances and local festivals
The Gorham Public Library has events and programs throughout the year, including book clubs, a summer reading challenge and Dungeons & Dragons sessions. The Medallion Opera House offers year-round live performances by local bands, theater troupes, comedians and other performers. Vendors sell artisanal goods and fresh produce at the Gorham Farmers’ Market, which takes place every Thursday from June to October in the Town of Gorham Common. July ushers in the Gorham 4th of July Celebration, which lasts through the weekend and features daily parades, carnival rides and a fireworks display. In September, the Jigger Johnson LumberJack & Jill Festival is a series of lumber competitions held by the Gorham Parks & Recreation Department, including logrolling, axe throwing and lumber chopping.
Gorham's public schools earn Bs and Cs
School Administrative Unit 20 oversees the Gorham Randolph Shelburne Cooperative District, which gets a B-minus from Niche. Edward Fenn Elementary and Gorham Middle get a B, and Gorham High gets a C-plus. Students may enroll in career and technical education courses in programs like engineering, graphic arts and education.
Getting around via U.S. Route 2 and state Route 16
“People work from home,” says Davis. “They may commute to Berlin; it depends on what they do for work.” State Route 16 leads 6 miles to Berlin, and U.S. Route 2 leads 83 miles to Portland, Maine.
Androscoggin Valley Hospital is 8 miles away in Berlin, and the Portland International Jetport is 90 miles away. Houses of worship such as the United Church of Christ and Riverside Assembly of God are along U.S. Route 2 and state Route 16.
Environmental concerns include flooding and mud
Homes near the Androscoggin and Peabody Rivers may experience flooding during inclement weather. Hikers may want to stay off the trails during mud season, a time of year in New Hampshire from March through May when the ground thaws, creating a thick muck.
Written By
Isabella Pontecorvo
