It includes the town's oldest civic buildings, and was its main center until the mills of East Jaffrey eclipsed it.

[1] The district retains the feel of an 18th-19th century rural village, and includes elements dating to shortly after the town's incorporation in 1773.

[2] The area's importance as an economic as well as civic center arose after completion of the Third New Hampshire Turnpike (now NH 124).

The turnpike brought travelers, who stopped at inns and taverns in the center, and goods, which were sold to local farmers.

The area remained of some significance even as East Jaffrey's mills became more prominent, as it catered in the late 19th century to vacationers drawn to nearby Mount Monadnock.