Concord's History
A little history...actually, a lot of history...
Concord’s history dates back thousands of years to Native American settlements along the banks of the Merrimack River. English-speaking immigrants settled the city before the American Revolution, and the area has been called home by legendary figures such as 19th-century statesman Daniel Webster and Christian Science founder Mary Baker Eddy. The Penacook section of Concord, located at the northern end of the Concord city limits on the west side of the Merrimack River, was first permanently settled in 1758. Although the township of Penny Cook, as all of Concord was known, had been established in 1726, early settlement was concentrated at the north end of North Main Street in the central village. Penacook’s early industry included small lumber mills, a grist mill and a carding and cloth-finishing mill that ushered in the woolen manufacturing industry that thrived in Penacook for nearly 100 years.
Other important industries soon emerged, including furniture manufacturing, and electrical instrument production. The Merrimack River made Concord a transportation and trade hub and led the city to prosperity. In 1815 the Middlesex Canal was opened, connecting Concord to Boston. As part of this tradition, horse-drawn “Concord Coaches” were manufactured for almost 100 years. Concord Coaches were a part of the Wells Fargo operation and found their way into service across the nation. Concord and Penacook residents take great pride in their city, and much has been done to preserve its history. Some of the earliest houses, including the 264-year-old Reverend Timothy Walker House, can be seen today at the north end of Main Street. Walker was Concord’s first minister and its founding father. In the years following the Revolutionary War, the city’s central location made it a logical choice for the state capital, and in 1808, Concord was named the official seat of state government. Since then, Concord has been the hub of political activity within the state.
New Hampshire boasts the largest legislature in the country with 400 House and 24 Senate members who are paid $100 annually, making service a labor of love and commitment to the public good. A compact and bustling downtown lies along the west bank of the Merrimack and is easily accessible from I-93. As with much of the rest of the city, downtown is a historical gold mine with buildings and public places such as The Eagle Hotel, host to Andrew Jackson, Benjamin Harrison, Jefferson Davis, Charles Lindberg and Eleanor Roosevelt; Eagle Square, home of the Museum of New Hampshire History; Phenix Hall, built on the spot where Abraham Lincoln spoke just before being elected president; the New Hampshire State Library, the oldest of its kind in the nation; the First Baptist Church, its bell was made at Paul Revere’s foundry; and the First Church of Christ Scientist, first opened in 1892. History buffs can spend unlimited hours browsing the Museum of New Hampshire History, the State Library, the State House Hall of Flags and Canterbury Shaker Village. The Pierce Manse was the home of the 14th president of the United States and New Hampshire native, President Franklin Pierce. These and other restored Victorian-era buildings and homes give the business district great charm while housing the shops, restaurants and office space visitors and residents expect from a world-class city. Pocket-sized parks and plazas punctuate the urban architecture, and larger recreational areas are just a stroll away. The Merrimack River meanders through the city. An urban trail system links the Merrimack, parks and downtown Concord.
In June 2000, Concord’s downtown was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. As part of the process, the Concord Heritage Commission spent nearly a year documenting the histories of more than 100 of Concord’s architecturally and historically significant buildings. Community leaders plan to ensure Concord’s quality of life down the road by looking to the city’s future as well as its past. With a boost from a $750,000 federal grant, the 20/20 Vision project brought business, government and civic leaders together with city residents to develop a vision of and plan for what Concord should be like in 2020 and making the vision a reality. More information about the City of Concord is available at www.onconcord.com
For more on the area's history...
Concord Historical Society
Learn more about Concord's rich and interesting history through the Concord Historical Society (CHS). CHS was created to promote public awareness, understanding, and appreciation for Concord's history and traditions through educational programs; discovering, collecting and preserving material related to Concord's history; serving as a clearing house for other organizations concerned with Concord's history; and advocating for the preservation of historic material and properties in Concord.
New Hampshire Historical Society
Since 1823, the NH Historical Society has been preserving our state's past and telling its rich stories to each generation. Nowhere will you find a more extensive collection of objects and archives related to New Hampshire's history. Each year, the Society welcomes thousands of members and visitors through its research library, museum, publications, and outreach programs.
