Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

Abbot House All Saints' Church Amherst Village Historic District Ash Street School Athens Building Barnes, Jonathan, House Bedford Presbyterian Church Bedford Town Hall Bennington Village Historic District Birchwood Inn Brick Schoolhouse Building at 418-420 Notre Dame Ave. Carpenter and Bean Block Carpenter, Frank Pierce, House Chase, Amos, House and Mill Citizens' Hall Contoocook Mills Industrial District Contoocook Mills Industrial District (Boundary Increase) County Farm Bridge Cragin, Daniel, Mill Currier Gallery of Art District A District B District C District D District E Dunlap Building Flint Estate, The Francestown Meetinghouse Gay, Alpheus, House Goffstown Congregational Church Goffstown Covered Railroad Bridge Goffstown High School Goffstown Main Street Historic District Goffstown Public Library Grasmere Schoolhouse #9 and Town Hall Greenfield Meeting House Hamblet-Putnam-Frye House Hancock Village Historic District Hancock-Greenfield Bridge Harrington-Smith Block Hill-Lassonde House Hills House Hills Memorial Library Hillsborough County Courthouse Hillsborough Mills Hillsborough Railroad Bridge Hollis Village Historic District Hoyt Shoe Factory Hubbard, Thomas Russell, House Hunt Memorial Library Kennedy Hill Farm Killicut-Way House Kimball Brothers Shoe Factory Lamson Farm Lyndeborough Center Historic District MacDowell Colony Manchester City Hall McClure-Hilton House Meetinghouse, The Milford Cotton and Woolen Manufacturing Company Milford Suspension Bridge Milford Town House and Library Annex Nashua Gummed and Coated Paper Company Historic District Nashua Manufacturing Company Historic District Nashville Historic District New Hampshire State Union Armory New Ipswich Center Village Historic District New Ipswich Town Hall Nichols, Marion, Summer Home North Weare Schoolhouse Old County Road South Historic District Old Post Office Block Parker's Store Peabody, William, House Pelham Library and Memorial Building Peterborough Town House Peterborough Unitarian Church Pierce, Franklin, Homestead Sainte Marie Roman Catholic Church Parish Historic District Sanders, G. O., House Signer's House and Matthew Thornton Cemetery Smith and Dow Block Smith, Gov. John Butler, House Smyth Tower St. George's School and Convent Stark Park Stark, Gen. George, House Stark, Gen. John, House Stonyfield Farm Straw, William Parker, House Sullivan, Roger, House Temple Town Hall Union Chapel US Post Office-Peterborough Main Valley Cemetery Varney School Victory Park Historic District Weare Town House Weston Observatory Whiting, Oliver, Homestead Whittaker, Caleb, Place Wilton Public and Gregg Free Library Wilton Town Hall Woodbury, Levi, Homestead Zimmerman House

Hillsborough County, New Hampshire has a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1769. Named after Wills Hill, the Earl of Hillsborough and colonial secretary, the county originally encompassed a large portion of present-day southern New Hampshire. In its early days, Hillsborough County was primarily a rural farming community, with agriculture serving as the backbone of its economy.

During the American Revolution, Hillsborough County played a significant role. Many local residents joined the fight for independence and participated in key battles, including the Battle of Bunker Hill. The town of Hillsborough itself served as a key supply center for the Continental Army. Following the war, the county experienced a period of growth and development, with the construction of mills and the expansion of trade along the Merrimack River.

The mid-19th century brought further changes to Hillsborough County as industrialization gained momentum. Nashua, the county's largest city, became an industrial hub, with the production of textiles, shoes, and machinery fueling its economy. The construction of railroads further accelerated industrial growth and facilitated the transportation of goods across the region.

In the 20th century, Hillsborough County continued to evolve. The county's population increased, and suburbanization became a prevalent trend. Cities like Manchester and Nashua developed into thriving metropolitan areas, while small towns retained their rural character. Today, Hillsborough County remains a vibrant and diverse region, combining historical significance with a modern way of life.
Brief timeline of the history of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire:

  • 1769: Hillsborough County is established in the Province of New Hampshire.
  • 1771: The county seat is established in Amherst.
  • 1769-1775: The county experiences significant growth and development.
  • 1776-1781: Hillsborough County is heavily involved in the American Revolutionary War.
  • 1781: The county seat is moved from Amherst to Hillsborough.
  • 19th century: Hillsborough County becomes a center for manufacturing and industrialization.
  • 1823: The city of Manchester is incorporated.
  • 1846: The first railroad line reaches Hillsborough County.
  • 1846-1880s: The county experiences a boom in the textile industry.
  • 20th century: Hillsborough County undergoes urbanization and economic diversification.
  • 1972: The Amoskeag Mills, once the largest textile factory in the world, closes.
  • 1990s-present: Hillsborough County becomes a hub for technology, healthcare, and education.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire.

Audiobooks about the history of New Hampshire.