New Hampshire historical markers

The U.S. state of New Hampshire has, since 1958,[1] placed historical markers at locations that are deemed significant to New Hampshire history. The New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources (DHR) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) are jointly responsible for the historical marker program.[2] The program is authorized by RSA 227 C:4, X, and RSA 236:40 to 44.[3] As of January 2023, online documents maintained by DHR list 277 markers.[4][5][lower-alpha 1]

Example of a New Hampshire historical marker

Markers

New Hampshire's historical markers are green with white text; the state seal sits atop each one. Generally, there is a title line and up to 12 lines of text, each of which has no more than 45 characters.[3] Some markers note the year they were installed—it may be centered under the main text (early 2000s to present) or right-justified under the main text (1980s through early 2000s), although there are some visible exceptions—while on older markers it is not listed.[6]

Any individual or group may propose a marker to commemorate significant New Hampshire places, persons, or events. Requests must be accompanied by a petition for the marker, signed by at least 20 New Hampshire citizens.[3] The state's Division of Historical Resources has final decision rights for all markers.[3] Markers funded by the state must be located along a state highway.[3] A "co-operative marker," which must be funded by whoever proposes it, can be located on a locally maintained road or on municipal land.[3] As of October 2021, the state's website listed the cost of a marker at $2000 to $2500.[7]

Markers generally have the same text on both sides, with some exceptions. Marker number one in Pittsburg only has text on one side. Marker number 122 in Carroll features the Mount Washington Hotel on one side and the Bretton Woods Monetary Conference on the other; several other markers also have different topics on each side. A few markers appear to have unique layouts:

Marker status

A roster of markers, which is periodically published by the state, lists the status of each marker.[4] The vast majority of markers are "Installed", while a few may be "Out for Repair". Several markers have been "Retired", which appears to indicate permanent removal. A New Hampshire Historical Highway Marker Advisory Committee has existed since the summer of 2020, "created and convened to complete a systematic review of existing markers for lack of historical context among other problems."[9][10]

Since March 2022, the following markers have been listed as retired:[4]

  • Number 36 in Bow, which discussed an 1833 visit by Andrew Jackson
  • Number 55 in Rumney, which discussed the 1712 destruction of "a Pemigewasset Indian village" and resulting "scalp bounty"
  • Number 85 in Raymond, which discussed "the 1747 massacre of [three residents] by Indians of the Winnipesaukee Tribe"

Marker Quest

In May 2022, the Division of Historical Resources announced a Historical Highway Marker Quest program, encouraging people to visit the state's markers, and offering a free sticker to anyone who visits 10 markers and submits a form listing them.[11]

Program status

Starting in July 2022, the state's website noted that the marker program was "temporarily on hold and not accepting new proposals" due to issues with the global supply chain and at the vendor's foundry. The notice was removed as of February 2023.

List of markers
Marker number 114 in Portsmouth

The following pages list each marker, ordered by marker numbers as chronologically assigned by the state.[4] Pages each contain 25 entries, noting each marker's city or town, and providing the text on the marker.

Markers by community

The below table alphabetically lists each city or town that has at least one historical marker.[5] Detail of individual markers can be viewed via the above list of markers. The capital city of Concord has the most markers, with 14.

City or town Marker numbers
Allenstown193dagger, 205, 211, 230dagger
Alton164
Amherst3
Andover54
Antrim178, 228
Ashland100, 163
Barnstead201
Barrington96, 212, 279
Bartlett109
Bath121, 217
Bean's Grant45
Bedford102
Belmont235dagger
Bennington153
Benton245
Berlin159, 215, 254, 255
Bethlehem198, 218, 257
Boscawen49, 256
Bow36double-dagger
Bradford108
Brentwood180, 249
Bristol269
Brookline271
Campton196
Canaan21, 246
Candia141, 237dagger
Carroll30, 87, 122dagger, 233, 274
Center Harbor7
Charlestown2, 117, 177
Chester14, 139
Chesterfield60, 95, 216
Claremont41, 57, 188
Clarksville115
Concord66, 67, 80, 105, 110, 125, 128,
147, 148, 175, 184, 236dagger, 238, 278[lower-alpha 2]
Conway38
Cornish16, 76, 134, 158, 265
Danville169, 258
Deerfield25, 145, 183, 214
Derry48, 58, 126, 266dagger
Dixville171
Dover51, 92, 165, 264
Dunbarton111
Durham8, 50, 89, 154
Easton200
Effingham83
Enfield202, 241
Epsom199
Exeter32, 97, 131, 161, 240
Farmington98
Fitzwilliam99
Francestown23, 43
Franconia9, 263
Franklin91, 129
Fremont142, 156, 157, 167, 170, 277
Gilford118, 239
Gilmanton17
Gilsum168
Goshen140
Grafton251, 252
Greenfield130
Greenland113
Hampstead247
Hampton28, 119
Hampton Falls37
Hanover261
Hart's Location186, 213
Haverhill56, 104, 136, 160, 190
Hebron223
Hill162
Hillsborough65, 107, 203
Hinsdale112, 204
Holerness39
Hollis260
Hooksett132
Hopkinton195
Jaffrey13
Jefferson19, 152, 229
Keene69, 86, 226
Kingston46
Laconia135, 172
Lancaster84, 173, 219
Lempster182
Lincoln224
Lisbon70
Littleton71, 185
Londonderry166
Loudon15
Madison207
Manchester124, 208dagger, 225
Mason35
Merrimack29, 79
Milan227
Milford133, 268
Nashua267
New Boston146
New Castle4
New Durham222
New Ipswich10, 101, 137
Newbury81
Newfields272
Newington151
Newmarket209
Newport6, 106
North Hampton62
Northwood24, 181
Nottingham259
Orford33
Ossipee20
Pelham176
Pembroke144, 187, 250dagger
Peterborough206, 210, 244, 270
Pinkham's Grant11
Pittsburg1
Pittsfield197
Plainfield77
Plymouth179, 189
Portsmouth75, 114, 127dagger, 194, 234
Randolph220
Raymond85double-dagger, 273
Richmond59
Rindge138
Rochester42, 191
Rollinsford88
Rumney55double-dagger, 174
Rye18, 63, 78
Salem72, 221, 253
Sandown26
Sandwich82, 248
Seabrook103, 120
Sharon68
Stark150
Stewartstown47, 64
Stoddard27, 52
Stratford34
Sugar Hill73
Surry93
Sutton44
Swanzey22, 232
Tamworth31, 90, 155
Temple12
Tilton149, 262
Tuftonboro276[lower-alpha 3]
Wakefield5, 123
Walpole61
Warner243
Warren231, 275
Washington94
Weare143, 192
Westmoreland74
Wilmot40
Wolfeboro53, 116, 242

dagger denotes markers with a different inscription on each side
double-dagger denotes markers listed as "retired"

Notes
  1. The highest numbered marker in the state's list is no. 279, but markers no. 276 and 278 are currently absent.
  2. Marker no. 278 appeared in one instance of the state's list, but was subsequently removed.
  3. Marker no. 276 appeared in one instance of the state's list, but was subsequently removed.

References
  1. Brindley, Michael (January 24, 2014). "Marking History: Republic Of Indian Stream In Pittsburg". nhpr.org. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
  2. "New Hampshire Historical Highway Markers". nh.gov. New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  3. "What You Need To Know To Request A New Hampshire State Highway Historical Marker". nh.gov. New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  4. "List of Markers by Marker Number" (PDF). nh.gov. New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources. January 18, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  5. "List of Markers by Town" (PDF). nh.gov. New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources. January 18, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  6. "New Hampshire Historical Markers". Flickr. Retrieved July 6, 2019.
  7. "How to Request a NH Historical Highway Marker" (PDF). NH.gov. New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  8. Brown, Janice (May 22, 2008). "Madison New Hampshire's Aviation Innovators: The Amazing Granville Family". cowhampshireblog.com. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  9. "How many markers are installed each year?". nh.gov. New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  10. "Who is left out? Re-evaluating NH's Roadside Markers and Sharing Untold Stories Offer Input for New Hampshire Preservation Plan (Virtual Gathering)". nhpreservation.org. October 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  11. Angers, Shelly (May 2, 2022). "NH Historical Highway Marker Quest launches in time for Historic Preservation Month". nh.gov (Press release). N.H. Department of Natural & Cultural Resources. Retrieved May 28, 2022.

Further reading
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