Occom Pond, Hanover

Occom Pond, Hanover

Hanover, New Hampshire 03755

Official Website

Tips for Birding

The 1.5-mile walk around Occom Pond is great in all seasons.  You can find Occom Pond north of downtown Hanover.  Take Rope Ferry Road and park near the old golf course.
From Jim Block

About this Location

Occom Pond is located near the Hanover Country Club’s golf course, on the northern edge of the Dartmouth College campus. The pond is named after Samson Occom, a Native American from Connecticut. His father died when he was young, so his mother appealed to Eleazar Wheelock to help prepare him for college. In 1743, Occom became both Wheelock’s first Native American pupil, and one of his most outstanding. The pond was created through the efforts of Professor T.W.D. Worthen, a resident of Webster Avenue in the early nineteenth century. Occom Ridge, which is the high ground running north to south between the pond and the river, was originally a cow pasture. The pond was a marsh-like area and was viewed as a nuisance by some, especially Worthen. The Professor built a dam at the north end of the marsh, thus forming Occom Pond.

Today, the eastern side of the pond is rimmed by private homes. The northern end is the site of the DOC House, built in 1929. The southern shore extends into a grassy field and the western banks are shaded by tall pines.

Isn’t it spelled Occum Pond? No. The pond is named after Samson Occom, and although other writers sometimes referred to him with different spellings of his name, in his published works he always spelled his own name, Occom. It is also spelled Occom Pond on USGS maps.

Features

  • Roadside viewing

  • Restrooms on site

  • Wheelchair accessible trail

  • Entrance fee

Last updated January 10, 2024