Discover 5 of the Oldest Cities in New Hampshire

New Hampshire is one of the oldest states in the United States. It’s a must-visit for enthusiasts of American history. It also attracts thousands of visitors every fall seeking to enjoy the beautiful foliage. Its quaint small towns bring a “Norman Rockwell” America of yesteryear to life. But New Hampshire has a lot more to offer. Read on to discover five of the oldest cities in New Hampshire and what you can do there.  

1. Dover, 1623 (Population 32,741)

The name “Dover” means “waters,” and this is fitting for a city near the Atlantic Ocean and watered by several rivers. The early settlers were Puritans, a dissenting sect of the Church of England that came to the New World for religious freedom. In the late 17th and early 18th centuries, the settlement engaged in a series of armed conflicts with local Native Americans. Later, during the Industrial Revolution, Dover became a significant center of manufacturing. Dover had sawmills, gristmills, woolen and cotton mills, brick manufactories, and more. Perhaps most importantly, Dover is the birthplace of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise. Mirage Studios in Dover published the initial comic books that launched this cultural phenomenon in 1984. Unfortunately, the original location of Mirage Studios has been demolished. Though plans are underway for a historical marker, there’s nothing to see yet.  

So, what else can you do in Dover? You could visit Hilton Park at Dover Point State Park or check out Garrison Hill Tower, an observation deck and tower 76 feet tall. Willan Pond has hiking trails, while Bellamy River Wildlife Management offers walking, birdwatching, and the chance to spot local wildlife. The area also has a number of orchards where you can pick your own apples, including Tendercrop Farm, Thornwood Orchard, and Demeritt Hill.  

2. Portsmouth, 1630 (Population 21,956) 

Portsmouth is a seaport located where the Piscataqua River joins the Atlantic Ocean. Historically it was a favorable location to connect upstream industries with the sea for foreign trade. Fishing, lumber, and shipbuilding were the economic mainstays of the area. It was part of the Triangle Trade that linked America with Britain and Africa, which means it was one of the early sites where slaves were imported. African Americans helped defend the city in the Revolutionary War and slavery was later abolished in New Hampshire. Paul Revere made a ride to Portsmouth to warn that the British Royal Navy was coming to attack the port. Since they were prepared, the British attacked Falmouth (now Portland), Maine instead. 

Portsmouth is a scenic city popular with tourists today. At the Portsmouth Historical Society Museum, you can tour galleries, take walking tours, and visit the John Paul Jones House. The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is historically important as the site where Russia and Japan signed a treaty ending their war in the early 20th century. Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse was built in 1878 and is open for monthly tours from May-Sept. The USS Albacore Museum & Albacore Park features the USS Albacore, a decommissioned United States Navy submarine used for testing. Market Square hosts an annual festival in June with food booths, a 10K run, street entertainment, and local arts and crafts. Lastly, Market Square hosts a yearly festival, with entertainment, a 10k road race, and food booths.   

3. Exeter, 1638 (population 10,109)

Exeter was established by the Puritan Rev. John Wheelwright after he was exiled from the Massachusetts Bay Colony for his dissenting religious views. By the late 1700s, the city had a significant community of freed African Americans. The city prospered economically through the manufacture of textiles, shoes, saddles, harnesses, lumber, bricks, carriages, and bicycles. The city has a lot of buildings designed by prominent architects. A momentous event occurred in 1853 with the founding of the Republican Party in Exeter. In 1965, it was the location of one of the most convincing UFO sightings in history, witnessed by civilians and police and documented in the bestselling book Incident at Exeter.  

Obviously, you’ll be spending your nights in Exeter scanning the skies for aliens. However, during the day, you might want to visit the historic Gilman Garrison House, the American Independence Museum, or the 1638 Congregational Church. The Phillips Exeter Trail is a great place to bike and hike, and it is dog-friendly. The town also has a lot of specialty gift shops, like the Chocolatier and Exeter Fine Crafts.  

4. Hampton, 1638 (Population 9,597)

Hampton is on the Atlantic Coast near the border of Massachusetts. It was a summer campsite for Native Americans where they fished and raised corn and beans before moving inland to hunt during the winter. Hampton has the dubious distinction of being the only town in New Hampshire to bring women to trial for witchcraft. Farming, fishing, weaving, and shoemaking were the main industries of the city. With the arrival of railroads, Hampton started to become a popular tourist destination in the mid-19th century. 

Here are some attractions tourists like to visit: 

• Little Boar’s Head Scenic Walk features a three-mile trail near Rye Beach for biking, running, or walking. 
• Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom is a seasonal live music and comedy venue on the boardwalk of Hampton Beach. In the past, it has hosted artists such as the Beach Boys, Cyndi Lauper, Hootie and the Blowfish, Ray Charles, and Tina Turner. 
• Al Gauron Deep Sea Fishing and Whale Watching offers 12-hour fishing excursions and four-hour whale-watching cruises. 
• Hampton Beach State Park is a good place to surf, parasail, fish, camp, stroll, or swim. 
• Hampton Salt Marsh Conservation Area is a bird lover’s dream. The area has numerous migratory bird species like the Canada goose, mallard, American black duck, northern pintail, green-winged teal, and glaucous gull. 

5. Concord, 1659 (Population 43,976)

Concord, the state capital, is located geographically in the center of the state. The economic base of the city was developed through furniture-making, printing, and granite quarrying. The Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. was built of Concord granite. In 1842, the New Hampshire State Hospital opened as one of the first psychiatric hospitals in the country. Concord has played an outsize role in contemporary American politics because New Hampshire has the first presidential primary in the nation every four years. This attracts the major presidential candidates to the area during campaign season.  

A must-see in Concord is the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, named in honor of Christa McAuliffe, a teacher at Concord High School who died in the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, and astronaut Alan Shepherd, a native of nearby Derry who became the first American in space. Downtown Concord is a great place to find unique locally produced arts and crafts, like local granite, pottery, weaving, woodworking, hand-blown glass, and handmade jewelry. Viking House is a shop specializing in products from Scandinavia such as wool and Finnish glass. The cleverly named SNOB (Somewhat North of Boston) Film Festival is an annual showcase of independent films.  

A Small State Where Big Things Happen

As one of the oldest states in the Union, New Hampshire has historic sites that span the history of the nation. At the same time, it has all the modern amenities and entertainment you could want, from outdoor adventures to shopping, museums, and restaurants. Additionally, it plays a significant role in helping us elect our presidents. And it looks to the future as it memorializes its astronauts and scans the skies for visitors. So, keep New Hampshire in your sights. It’s a small state where big things happen.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/jiawangkun