Atkinson – Nature Trails and Local History

Atkinson combines outdoor activities with notable landmarks in local history. These include the Caroline Orr Trails, the Crown Hill-Noyes Trail System, and access to Big Island Pond. The offerings vary: a short walk through wooded terrain, a trail network with hiking and mountain biking trails, and water access for various watercraft. Historic sites and an exhibition about Atkinson round out the selection.

Nature Trails and Water Access

The Caroline Orr Trails wind through 57 acres of wooded terrain with ponds, streams, and other points of interest. The 2024 town guide describes them as easy, well-marked trails for a short walk of about 30 minutes. This is an approximate time for the walk; the trails are also characterized by their woodland and waterside scenery.

The Crown Hill-Noyes Trail System offers a different kind of trail landscape. Yellow-blazed trails cross two conservation areas and include old farm roads, as well as hiking and mountain biking trails. The trails pass over rolling, reforested hills, along streams, and through a network of 18th-century stone walls. The main access point is on East Road, with a second access point on Crown Hill Road. Points of interest along the system include an old tri-town boundary marker (A/P/H) and the Noyes rock shelter.

The Town Canoe/Kayak Launch at Big Island Pond is located on Stickney Road. It provides access to the pond for canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and similar watercraft. The launch is for private recreational use only; commercial use is prohibited. Check local conditions before use.

Local History in a Cemetery, School, and Landmark

The Old Atkinson Cemetery was established in 1773; many of Atkinson’s earliest residents are buried there. The cemetery also commemorates Atkinson’s patriots of the American Revolutionary War. These historical perspectives on the community center on both early settlement and remembrance of the Revolutionary era.

Atkinson Academy is also Atkinson’s elementary school. It was founded in 1787, burned down in 1802, and was rebuilt on Academy Avenue in 1803. Today, it is considered the oldest surviving coeducational school building in the United States. “Coeducational” means that girls and boys are taught together; this classification helps explain the building’s special historical significance.

Artworks also reflect local history: An exhibition about life in Atkinson includes works from the American Revolutionary War era, created by students of Atkinson Academy. The exhibition thus connects the school’s history with the students’ artistic perspective on their time.

The Atkinson Town Pound was built around 1787 and is a town landmark. Its walled stone enclosure reflects an earlier New England practice: towns used such places to confine stray or unauthorized roaming animals. The Town Pound adds insight into the treatment of animals in early community life to the stories of the school and cemetery.

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