Nestled in the New England region of the USA, you will find New Hampshire. Bordered by Massachusetts to the South, Maine to the East, and Vermont to the West, New Hampshire is located in the heart of New England.
Many people visit New England because it is unlike the rest of the USA. With its quaint towns and large expanses of wilderness, New England can offer a real escape to those who want it.
Of course, not all of New England is quaint towns and wilderness. In fact, there are some pretty large cities located in these States, such as Boston in Massachusetts.
This might lead you to wonder what is the capital of New Hampshire. In this guide, we’ll be answering just that. So keep on reading to find out more!
What Is The Capital Of New Hampshire?
First things first, let’s take a look at what the capital of New Hampshire is.
The capital of New Hampshire is actually Concord which is located towards the South of the State. So, the State Capital of New Hampshire is located closer to the USA than Canada.
Concord is fairly central in New Hampshire, as it is located roughly between the East and the West of the State. North of Concord, there are a number of cities including Franklin and Laconia.
South of Concord, you will find the cities of Manchester, and Nashua, with Nashua being almost on the border of New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
The fact that Concord is the capital of New Hampshire comes as a surprise to many people because it isn’t actually the largest city in New Hampshire.
So, let’s take a look at if Concord has always been the capital.
Has This Always Been the Capital?
So, Concord is currently the State Capital of New Hampshire, but has this always been the case? Well, Concord has been the State Capital of New Hampshire for a very long time.
In 1808, Concord became the de facto capital of New Hampshire. It remained the de facto capital until Concord legally became the State capital in 1816, and it has remained the State Capital ever since.
Before Concord was the State Capital of New Hampshire, the State went through a few different State capitals. Between 1689 and 1775, Portsmouth was the State Capital of New Hampshire.
During the American Revolution, the State capital became less important, and the General Assembly of New Hampshire shifted between different areas of New Hampshire.
Then, after the revolution, Concord became the new State Capital.
With so many other cities in New Hampshire, it can be difficult to understand why Concord was chosen to be the State Capital. But, Concord was chosen to be the State Capital due to one thing, and that is its location.
As we mentioned earlier, Concord has a central location so ultimately it made sense for it to become the new State Capital of Concord.
What Are Some Other Big Cities and Towns in New Hampshire?
As we have said, there are a number of other big cities in New Hampshire that could have become the State Capital.
In fact, Concord isn’t actually the largest city in New Hampshire by landmass or population.
So, let’s take a look at some other big cities and towns in New Hampshire.
Lincoln
By land mass, Lincoln is the largest town in New Hampshire. This town is located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and because of this it is known for its beautiful views.
There are lots of excellent experiences that you can have in this town, and it is a true reflection of the New England area.
Manchester
By population, Manchester is the largest city in New Hampshire. Manchester has a significantly larger population than Concord, with almost three times the population of the State Capital.
Manchester is located on the Merrimack River, and this beautiful city is well-known for its connection with art.
Nashua
Nashua also has a larger population than Concord, with roughly double the amount of people living in Nashua that live in Concord.
This might partly be due to the location of Nashua, as this city is located in the Southern area of New Hampshire.
This means that it is close to the border of Massachusetts, which might partly be responsible for its large population.
Things To Do In Concord
If you are planning to visit New Hampshire, then it is likely that you will want to include a trip to Concord in it. After all, it is always good to visit the State Capital of a State when you are in the area.
If this is the case, then you will probably want to know about some things that you can do in the Concord area. So, let’s take a look.
New Hampshire State House
The New Hampshire State House is also known as the House of Representatives for New Hampshire. So, if you have an interest in politics, or historic buildings, then this is definitely a building to visit during your trip.
Minute Man Historical Park
If you are interested in wildlife, then a good place to visit during your trip to Concord is Minute Man Historical Park.
Minute Man Historical Park is also a historical park, made famous because it was the opening battle of the revolution. So, it is definitely a place to visit.
The Old North Bridge
Another beautiful location to visit in New Hampshire is the Old North Bridge which opened in 1956. This is another historic location in Concord which you should definitely visit during your trip.
Canterbury Shaker Village
Finally, you should consider visiting Canterbury Shaker Village. This is a historic shaker site that has been made into a museum, which is still mostly intact. It is a totally unique experience, and definitely worth a trip.
Summary
In short, the capital of New Hampshire is Concord. Concord was unofficially named the State Capital in 1808, before becoming the official State Capital in 1816.
Thank you for reading!
