Cheshire County, New Hampshire

Acre (The) Adams Farm Adams, Dr. Daniel, House Adams, John, Homestead-Wellscroft Aldworth Manor Allison, Capt. Samuel, House Amory Ballroom Amory House Amory-Appel Cottage Appleton Farm Appleton-Hannaford House Asbury United Methodist Church Ashuelot Covered Bridge Ballou-Newbegin House Bancroft, Timothy, House Beal, Persia, House Beaver Mills Beech Hill Beech Hill Summer Home District Bemis, Elbridge G., House Bemis, George, House Brackett House Bradley, Stephen Rowe, House Buckminster-Kingsbury Farm Burpee Farm Cabot, Louis, House Cabot, T.H., Cottage Carleton Bridge Cheever, George, Farm Chesham Village District Cheshire County Courthouse Clymer House Colony House Colony's Block Conant Public Library Cooke, Noah, House Coombs Covered Bridge Corey Farm Derby Shop-Goodnow Pail Factory-Holman & Merriman Machine Shop-L. A. Carpenter Machine Shop-Streeter Shop Dinsmoor-Hale House Drewsville Mansion Dublin Lake Historic District Dublin Town Hall Dublin Village Historic District East Jaffrey Historic District Eaton, Moses, Jr., House Elliot Mansion Eveleth Farm Far Horizons Farwell, Corban C., Homestead Fasnacloich Faulkner & Colony Woolen Mill Fisk Barn Fiske, Catherine, Seminary For Young Ladies Fitzwilliam Common Historic District Foothill Farm Frost Farm Frost Farm Gilchrest Gilsum Stone Arch Bridge Glenchrest Golden Rod Grange No. 114 Gowing, James, Farm Gowing, Joseph, Farm Grace United Methodist Church Greenwood, Isaac, House Greenwood, Moses, House Harrisville Historic District Harrisville Rural District High Tops School Hutchinson House Ivanov-Rinov House Jaffrey Center Historic District Jaffrey Mills Jewett-Kemp-Marlens House Jones Hall Joslin-Faulkner-Putnam House Kendall Cottage Knollwood Lattice Cottage Lawrence Farm Learned Homestead Learned, Amos, Farm Learned, Benjamin, House Markham House Marshall, Benjamin, House Martin, Micajah, Farm Mason House Mason-Watkins House McKenna Cottage Moore Farm and Twitchell Mill Site Morse, Asa, Farm Morse, Capt. Thomas, Farm Morse, Eli, Farm Morse, Eli, Sawmill Foundations Mountain View Farm Needham House Nelson Schoolhouse New Hampshire Conservatory of Music and the Arts Old Patch Place Park Hill Meetinghouse Parsons Studio and Casino Peck-Porter House Perry, Ivory, Homestead Perry, John, Homestead Piper, Rufus, Homestead Piper, Solomon, Farm Point Comfort Pottersville District Pumpelly Studio Raubold House Richardson, Abijah, Sr., Homestead Richardson, Deacon Abijah, House Richardson, John, Homestead Richardson, Luke, House Richmond Community Church Richmond School House No. 6 Richmond Town Hall Robbe, James, Jr., House Sawyer Tavern Sawyers Crossing Covered Bridge Second Rindge Meetinghouse, Horsesheds and Cemetery Shedd-Porter Memorial Library Silver Lake District Silver Lake Farm Slate Covered Bridge Smith-Mason Farm Spur House Stationmaster's House Stone Arch Bridge Stone Farm Stone-Darracott House Stonehenge Strong, Capt. Richard, House Strong, Richard, Cottage Strongman, Henry, House Strongman, William, House Third Fitzwilliam Meetinghouse Todd Block Townsend Farm Townsend, Jabez, House Troy Village Historic District United Church of Christ in Keene Veterans' Memorial Hall Wales, Mary Anne, House Walpole Academy Weldwood West Swanzey Covered Bridge Wildwood Cottage Willard Homestead Winchester Town Hall Windmill Hill Wood House Wyman Tavern

Cheshire County, New Hampshire, has a rich history dating back to its settlement in the mid-1700s. The region was originally inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Pennacooks and Abenaki. The first European settlers arrived in the early 1730s, led by Colonel John Schuyler. They established the town of Upper Ashuelot, which later became Keene, the county seat.

During the American Revolution, Cheshire County played a significant role. Many locals joined the patriot cause, and several battles and skirmishes took place within its borders. Keene, in particular, saw military activity during the war and served as a supply depot for the Continental Army. After gaining independence, the county experienced growth and prosperity as agriculture and industry flourished.

In the early 19th century, Cheshire County witnessed an increase in population and economic development. The construction of canals and railroads contributed to its growth, connecting the county to neighboring regions and expanding trade opportunities. Industries like textiles, lumber, and manufacturing thrived, attracting workers and further stimulating the local economy.

By the 20th century, Cheshire County saw a shift in its economic landscape. Manufacturing declined and was replaced by service-based industries, education, and healthcare. The county also became known for its scenic beauty, attracting tourists and recreation enthusiasts. Today, Cheshire County continues to be a vibrant area, balancing its historic significance with modern development and offering a high quality of life for its residents.
Brief timeline of the history of Cheshire County, New Hampshire:

  • 1769 - Cheshire County was established on March 19, 1769, as one of the five original counties in New Hampshire.
  • 1771 - The first settlers, led by General Jonathan Chase, arrived in the region.
  • 1771-1774 - Settlements began to form in present-day Keene and other towns.
  • 1775-1783 - Cheshire County residents actively participated in the American Revolutionary War.
  • 1780 - The town of Keene was incorporated.
  • 1791 - The town of Jaffrey was incorporated.
  • 1800s - Industrialization flourished across the county, with mills and factories being established.
  • 1858 - The city of Keene was incorporated.
  • 1902 - The city of Keene became the county seat.
  • 1940s-1960s - Cheshire County experienced significant population growth and suburbanization.
  • 1971 - The Cheshire County Historical Society was founded to preserve and promote local history.
  • 1980s-present - Cheshire County continues to thrive with a diverse economy and a focus on culture, education, and outdoor recreation.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Cheshire County, New Hampshire.