Downtown and Historic Main Street
One
of the last classic Main Streets in New England, downtown
Littleton is a vibrant center of commerce in a town nestled along
the banks of the mighty Ammonoosuc River, close by the picturesque
White Mountains of northern New Hampshire.
Littleton Wins National Award
The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s National Main Street Center, headquartered in Washington, DC, announced at its national convention, in Ohio, on Monday, May 19, 2003, that Littleton, NH won a Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA). GAMSA, sponsored by OSRAM SYLVANIA, recognizes outstanding achievement in the revitalization of a Downtown.
Annually, the top five Downtown revitalization programs nationwide are honored with the award. Littleton will receive $2,500 to use to further their revitalization activities, a bronze plaque, and a set of road signs commemorating their achievements. Jaffrey, NH was named a semifinalist in the competition.
" Littleton has far exceeded the expectations of the New Hampshire Main Street Center," said Kathy La Plante, director of the New Hampshire Main Street Center. “The community has a long list of accomplishments and highlights that make them a truly extraordinary community. It’s wonderful that Littleton’s efforts are being recognized nationally."
Littleton contingent receiving the Great American Main Street Award.
From left to right: Stu Baker- former assistant town manager, Jason Hoch- Town Manager, Ruth Taylor- Executive Director, Mike Claflin, Karen Kaezerian, David Wood, Gail Kimball, Carol Hamilton, Brien Ward- Board Members.
Friday, May 23 2003
Downtown parade celebrating American Main Street Award
Littleton, New Hampshire
Downtown offers a nice variety of restaurants, an historic inn, a motel, a 100-year old Opera House, dozens of specialty shops and numerous services, including a majestic post office, several local banks, a working gristmill, the world’s longest candy counter (No kidding! It’s in the Guinness Book!), and a sculpture of the original “glad girl” herself: Pollyanna.
Much of the credit for the appearance and vitality of downtown Littleton goes to the dedicated volunteers of Littleton Main Street, Inc. By encouraging business and property owners to pay attention to the physical appearance of their businesses, fostering good customer service, and providing Main Street business with the tools to improve their marketing, Littleton Main Street has helped create a climate of hope and success.
A certified National Main Street Community since 1997, Littleton has twice been a finalist in the Great American Main Street Award competition sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Using the 
National Main Street Four-Point Approach©, Littleton has managed to lower the retail vacancy rate to 2% (after a high of 20% in 1992).
