Most people don’t know that New Hampshire was actually the ninth US state to be declared in January 1776, making it one of the oldest in the States.
In terms of populations, it is predicted that the state will have 1.37 million by the time 2021 is over, making it the 41st populous state in the US. Not surprising, considering the state itself only covers an area of 9,349 square miles (or 24,214 square km), which is only the 46th largest in the US.
When you take into account the number of rivers, mountains, and forests in the state, the sparse population makes sense.
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New Hampshire Historical Facts
Historically, this state has played an important role in the US. It was one of the 13 original colonies that the British established in the US, and it was the first of these colonies to declare independence from the British in 1776 by creating their own constitution.
This spirit of independence has been reflected in the state motto, which is ‘Live free or die.’ Prior to British involvement, New Hampshire was home to around 3000 Native Americans split into various tribes.
The Pennacook tribe actually had a central village situated in present-day Concord, the state’s capital today, showing that Concord has always been a very attractive region for main establishments and communities to be built.
Perhaps this is because the capital is surrounded by Granite, something the state is known for.
How did New Hampshire Get its Name
It was named by an Englishman named Captain John Mason after the Hampshire county in England, where he had lived as a boy. New Hampshire was founded by him in 1629, and he became New England’s first vice admiral in 1635.
Famous Locations in New Hampshire
Echo Lake State Park
Echo Lake State Park is a fantastic spot for a swim and a picnic. A picturesque walk around the lake and trails leading to Cathedral Ledge State Park are among the park’s hiking options.
White Mountains
The White Mountains are a mountain range in the United States, which is visited by tourists from Boston and New York City. Most of the land is public land And this including the White Mountain National Forest. Did you know that Mount Washington is the highest peak in the U.S.
The White Mountains consist of 48 peaks, including Old Speck Mountain and the Franconia Range, Sandwich Range, Carter-Moriah Range, Kinsman Range, and Mahoosuc Range in New Hampshire and Maine.
Mount Washington
Mount Washington is the highest peak in the Northeastern United States. It has erratic weather and was the site of the world’s highest wind speed. Mount Washington is located in the Presidential Range of the White Mountains. It is located in Coös County, New Hampshire.
Lake Winnipesaukee
Since its inception, Lake Winnipesaukee has been a vacation destination, earning its nicknames of “the smile of the Great Spirit” or “beautiful water in a high place.”
Lake Winnipesaukee is home to many different species of animals, including otters, beaver, muskrat, mink, fisher, moose, deer, black bear, coyote, and bobcats. The name Weirs Beach came from the Native Americans using weirs to catch shad in the channel.
Strawbery Banke
Strawbery Banke is an outdoor history museum in the South End district of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It features over 37 restored buildings built in the Colonial, Georgian, and Federal style architectures.
Hampton Beach
Hampton Beach is a village district, census-designated place, and beach resort in the town of Hampton, New Hampshire, United States. It is a popular tourist destination and is the busiest beach community in New Hampshire.
Sandy beaches attract thousands of visitors every year to this small seaside village. There are several hotels, restaurants, shops, and other attractions.
The Hampton Beach Village District was established on 26 June 1907, and the first fire station was built in 1923.
Fun Stuff
President Franklin Pierce, journalist Horace Greeley, Elizabeth Hurley, Sarah Silverman, John Irving, and Dan Brown are famous New Hampshire.
New Hampshire is famous for maple sundaes and cider donuts.
Manchester is the largest city in New Hampshire by population
New Hampshire’s motto, “Live Free or Die,” is a quotation by Revolutionary War hero and New Hampshire resident John Stark.
New Hampshire State Bird
The state bird is the purple finch. It has been the state bird since 1957. They can be easily spotted by their purple head, distinctive call during flight, and short forked tail.
Males are easily identifiable by their purplish-red heads, whereas females generally only have brown heads.
The state bird’s appointment wasn’t without controversy, however, as some people campaigned for the New Hampshire Hen to be the state bird, but the purple finch eventually won and has remained a key part of the state ever since.
New Hampshire Economy
In 2018 the product of the state was estimated to be around $86 billion, ranking it 40th in the US, which is actually rather good considering the size of the state and the population.
The economic sector today is made up predominantly of rental real estate and leasing, manufacturing, governmental services, and health care and social services.
Historically, the state made the most money through textiles and small machine shops.
In 2017, the median household income was actually estimated to be the fourth highest in the USA, so in terms of its economy, the state does rather well today.
New Hampshire Flag
The state flag is the great seal of the state on a blue background. The great seal depicts the frigate USS Raleigh. A laurel wreath surrounds it with nine stars to show that the state became the ninth state of the USA.
The USS Raleigh was chosen because it was one of the 13 original ships built as part of the American navy in 1776 in Portsmouth, a key city in the state even today,
The laurel wreath was chosen because it has long been a symbol of honor, fame, and victory, something that New Hampshirites have always prided themselves on even as far back as their first call for independence all those years ago.
The water depicts Portsmouth, where the USS Raleigh was created, and on the yellow stretch of land, a boulder of Granite is shown. This isn’t surprising, considering the state is also sometimes known as the Granite State.
New Hampshire State Flower
The state flower is the purple lilac, and it was officially chosen on May 28, 1919. Again, it wasn’t the only contender, and the purple lilac had to beat off the apple blossom, wild pasture rose, wood lily, goldenrod, and buttercup, amongst other favorites.
Eventually, the purple lilac was chosen because it was seen as a symbol of endurance, which the state believed properly represented the determination of the state’s people.
The purple lilac is a bushy flower that can grow for hundreds of years and really highlights the symbolism that the state had hoped for when choosing the purple lilac as the state flower.
It’s also a flower that is capable of surviving extreme freezing temperatures over the winter, too, reinforcing the fact that this flower, and the state it represents, are especially hardy.
New Hampshire Geography
New Hampshire is a beautiful state and is divided into three key areas that each have their own unique and fascinating geographical features.
To the north of the state is where you’ll find what is known as the White Mountain Region.
This is home to the mountains of the state, most famously Mount Washington, known for its windy weather and 6288 ft peak.
The central and southern areas of the state are where you will come across rivers, hills, and lakes. Lake Winnepesaukee is here, among other famous lakes. The southeast corner of the state is the only part of the state that borders the Atlantic ocean.
However, there are only approximately 18 miles of coastline. This coastline does consist of delightful sandy beaches, and during the warmer months, it is a very pleasant area to visit.
New Hampshire Agriculture
The state’s agriculture is mostly made up of nursery stock, cattle, apples, eggs, and dairy products. In fact, milk and greenhouse crops actually account for more than 50% of the state’s agricultural sales receipts.
Agriculture is big business in the area, and that makes sense when you think about the state’s geography and how much of it is taken up by inhabitable land for humans, but land that works brilliantly well for crops and animals.
Agriculture has historically played a large role in the state’s economy, too.
New Hampshire Industry
The state’s main industrial outputs are machinery and electrical equipment. In terms of machinery, a lot of this is sold in the state, especially machines such as snowmobiles that are used to navigate the mountain regions when snowfall is heavy in the winter months.
One of the biggest industries in the state, though, has to be tourism. So many people visit from out of state to see the wonderful scenery that the state has to offer and stay in rented accommodation whilst there.
They have everything from skiing in the winter and water sports on famous lakes like Lake Winnepesaukee in the summer, and the state is always a popular choice for tourists. Industry in the state is doing well, though, and is predicted to continue doing so in the future too.
New Hampshire State Tree
The designated state tree is the white birch, or if you want to use its Latin name, Betula Papyrifera. The state tree was actually chosen in 1947 and has remained a popular choice ever since.
Unlike the state flower and state bird, the white birch had no opposition and passed quickly in legislation because of this.
The white birch was an easy choice as a state tree because not only is it native to the state, but it’s also found in every single region of it, too, meaning that the white birch really is a symbol of the state as a whole.
The white birch also has many uses, and its bark was once used as canoes for Native Americans and later used as paper too.
This tree can also grow upwards of 80ft, and the strength that this tree seems to possess is an appropriate representation of New Hampshire’s residents.
New Hampshire Capitol Building
You can find the capitol building at 107 North Main Street in Concord, the state’s capital city. It was designed in 1814 and paid for by the city, but it wouldn’t be complete until 1819.
It was built by architect Stuart Park, and followed the Greek Revival designs that were popular at the time, and was constructed using granite blocks.
Not surprising, considering much of the state’s granite mills were so close to Concord. The whole construction cost $82,000, and inmates from the state prison actually helped cut and shape the granite blocks for the building.
It’s also the oldest capitol building in the USA in which both houses of the legislature still meet in their original chambers.
New Hampshire Nature Facts
If you’re looking for interesting mammals, then New Hampshire has white-tailed deer, eastern red bats, raccoons, and moose, with many more interesting species besides.
There are plenty of birds in the area, too, known to make their nests in the forests that cover much of the state.
Some of these interesting species of birds include nighthawks, woodpeckers, and great horned owls. In terms of beautiful natural spots in nature that the state has to offer, Diana’s Baths is always worth a visit.
These natural waterfalls are a stunning sight, and many people take a dip in the rejuvenating waters when they visit.
Besides that, there’s also Arethusa Falls, New Hampshire’s tallest waterfall at 140 ft, and the Lost River Gorge, a great place to go and get a feel for the power that water holds as you cross the bridges overlooking the granite blocks that the water has carved its way through.
Fun New Hampshire State Facts
It Is Nicknamed ‘The Granite State’
This is because New Hampshire is famous for its granite.
The granite that is quarried in the area has been shipped widely, both within and outside of the USA.
In fact, Washington D.C. is a huge customer for the area in terms of the places that the granite is shipped to and used the most.
It’s Famous For Mount Washington
Mount Washington is one of the state’s most instantly recognizable features, with people traveling from far and wide to come and see the Mountain up close.
But did you know that M0unt Washington is famous for something else too? In 1934, ground winds of 231 miles an hour were recorded at the peak of the Mountain, a world record that wouldn’t be beaten again until 1996.
So if you’re heading up there, be sure to be prepared for the gusts!
It’s One Of The Original Colonies
There were thirteen original colonies in total, established by the British in the 17th and 18th centuries.
It was originally named ‘North Virginia,’ before becoming ‘New England’ later on, and then eventually getting the name we all know today, ‘New Hampshire.’
That means that this state is one of the most historic in all the US in terms of its longevity.
It’s Known For Its Beautiful Scenery
So much so that it is known by different nicknames besides ‘The Granite State.’
In fact, it is known as ‘The Switzerland of America’ because of the gorgeous mountain scenery that the state is known for.
Some also call it the ‘White Mountain State’ because of the white mountain range that the state is famous for too. Rivers and lakes are also common in the area and only add to the beauty of the state as a whole.
Lake Winnipesaukee Is Found Here
The lake is famous the world over for the recreational sports that take place here whenever skiing can’t.
It’s close to Lake Opechee and Lake Winnisquam, which are also known for their recreational sports. That makes this area great for thrill-seekers.
Skiing Is Practically A State Sport
Well, it’s not official, but New Hampshire is the only state in the US where ski jumping is a high school sport.
Due to the cold temperatures throughout most of the year and the amazing mountains that are dotted around the state, it’s a popular destination for skiers and has even produced some world-famous ski jumpers such as Bode Miller, who were born and raised in the state!
There Are Lots Of Interesting Things Synonymous With The State
For example, the state bird is the purple finch, the state insect is the ladybug, and the state flower is the purple lilac.
But that’s not all, and there are some weird and wonderful things too. For instance, did you know that the state wildcat is the bobcat? Or that the state fruit is the pumpkin?
You see, there’s plenty of interesting facts about New Hampshire that people don’t know, but it’s a fascinating state with so many awesome things that we connect with it!
It Has A Long History
And we don’t just mean as an ex-British colony. Even before the Native Americans called this state their home, there is evidence that people lived in the area 12,000 years ago.
The Native American tribes that are best known for living in this state are the Abenaki and Pennacook tribes.
The Native Americans were driven out of the area during the war between the French and British in the early 1700s after siding with the French.
It Played A Key Part In The American Revolution
The American Revolution in 1776 has a deep connection with the state. New Hampshire was the very first of the colonies to create their own constitution and declared themselves independent from the British.
In 1788, after the dust had settled, it became the 9th official US state. As a state, it plays an important role in America’s history.
It’s Split Into Three Main Regions
The White Mountain region is to the north of the state and is where you can find Mount Washington.
Most of the central and southern areas of the statehouse the lakes, rivers, and hills of the region, including the famous Lake Winnipesaukee.
The southeast corner of the state is where it borders the Atlantic Ocean, and of the states with a coastline, this state has the least with just 18 miles worth.
You Can Still Get A Slice Of Colonial Life
If you want to know what life in the colonies was truly like hundreds of years ago, then there’s no better state to visit.
Strawbery Banke in Portsmouth is the site of the state’s settlement, and there are 32 historic buildings in the area, each of which houses a performance where people dress up and act as though they are still living a colonial life.
It’s a fascinating place to visit if you want to see a living piece of history.
The State Motto Means A Great Deal To Them
Their state motto is ‘Live Free or Die,’ and most times, it is taken quite literally. You need only look at the state’s traffic laws to see that freedom is something they take very seriously.
In fact, it is the only state in the US were wearing seatbelts in a car or truck or a helmet on a motorcycle is not compulsory.
Besides that, though, the state motto is something that the residents of New Hampshire certainly take a great deal of pride in!
Skiing Isn’t The Only Winter Sport
Oh no, if you enjoy riding a snowmobile, then you’re in the right spot. Snowmobiles were originally created in Ossipee and are famous across the entire state.
It’s got to be said, the people of New Hampshire really love winter sports of all different kinds!
Reaching Mount Washington Can Be Easy
If you want to reach the peak of the infamous Mount Washington, then it’s certainly easy enough.
Why bother making the journey to the 6,288 ft peak on foot when you can go by rail?
That’s right, the long cog railway at Mount Washington was the first mountain-climbing cog railway in the world, and it’s also the second steepest.
Not surprising, considering how tall the Mountain is. One thing’s for sure. It’s just as thrilling going by rail as it is climbing up there yourself!
The State Capitol Is Fascinating
If you want to visit the capitol building, then head to the state capital, Concord.
Originally the capitol building was going to be placed in one of three cities, but Concord won, likely because of the availability of granite in the area.
The cost to build the capitol building was $82,000, and costs were kept low by inmates of the state prison cutting, shaping, and facing the stones for the building.
Concord is still a fascinating city to visit today too!
It Was The First For A LOT Of Different Things
It was the site of the first free public library in the US, built in Peterborough in 1833.
It was the first state lottery to take place in the US in the twentieth century. It was also the birthplace of the first American to go into space in 1961.
Alan Shepard Jr was born in the state and was the first American to visit space. He was also the 5th man to walk on the moon in 1971, so the state is known for its connection to space.
It’s The Site Of An Alien Abduction
We said the state was connected to space, right? Well, if you believe in aliens or not, the city of Portsmouth in New Hampshire is believed to be the site of the first reported alien abduction.
Known as the ‘Betty and Barney Hill Incident, the couple were reportedly taken in September 1961, and a state historical marker has been set up in the area to mark the event.
Whether you believe in it is up to you, but the state has recognized Betty and Barney’s story officially, and it’s a fascinating place to visit.
It’s A Peaceful State
Believe it or not, New Hampshire is the only state in the whole of the US where a foreign war has officially come to an end.
The Treaty of Portsmouth was signed in 1905 and was negotiated into existence by Teddy Roosevelt.
The Treaty brought a close to the Russo-Japanese war and earned Teddy Roosevelt a Nobel Peace Prize too.
So as you can see, it’s a peaceful state, and that’s before we even start to think about the calming influence of nature in the state!
It’s Known For Its Wildlife
Everything from moose, white-tailed deer, raccoons, and eastern red bats can be found in the area.
Not to mention the huge variety of birds, such as the great horned owls, nighthawks, and woodpeckers.
Given that four-fifths of the state is covered in forests, you can understand why it is so picturesque and so much wildlife successfully thrives there.
