The Portsmouth Downtown Historic District in New Hampshire has been named to the National Register of Historic Places.
The state Division of Historical Resources says what is now downtown Portsmouth began when European colonists, sailing on the Pied Cow, established a colony at Strawbery Banke in 1630. As New Hampshire’s only port, it became a center for maritime-related industries and trade. The downtown expanded throughout the 19th century as the city diversified and factories, commerce and neighborhoods developed west of the downtown core.
The division said Wednesday the 1,278 resources that contribute to the National Register listing include commercial, residential, and civic buildings, as well as places of worship, parks and playgrounds, cemeteries, carriage houses, monuments and archaeological sites.
The architectural styles of residences include Greek Revival, Italianate, Second Empire, Queen Anne and contemporary.