HOLDERNESS

Holderness is nestled between the White Mountains foothills and the scenic Squam Lakes, and was a trade route for the Abenaki people and early European settlers. Granted in 1751 by Governor Benning Wentworth, the town was named for Robert Darcy, 4th Earl of Holderness. In 1761, it was rechartered as "New Holderness" to a group of New England families, including the influential Samuel Livermore. Livermore owned half the chartered land and envisioned an English-style estate. Two years later, New Holderness was settled for the first time. Residents voted to drop the "New" from their town's name in 1816. By the late 19th century, Holderness had transformed into a summer resort destination drawing visitors to its lakeside beauty—a charm that endures to this day.