Our ancestors living in Concord 162 years ago witnessed many eventful milestones in history. It was in 1858 that the Staten Island Quarantine War occurred and Denver, Colo. was founded. Minnesota was admitted as the 32nd United States state and Rensselaer, Ind., was incorporated. There was a gentleman down in Springfield, Illinois, that made his “House Divided” speech as he accepted the Republican Party nomination for the United Stares Senate. His name was Abraham Lincoln.
The population within the United States was growing while our ancestors found many of the early history makers passing away. Theodore Roosevelt was born and Commodore Matthew Perry did die.
Travel back with me to the center of Main Street in Concord. The year is 1858 and the view of our little town is simple, but much thought went into the original design further enhancing the natural beauty where the street originated.
The grand New Hampshire State House is pictured to the right, manicured lawns enclosed within the black iron fence are maintained with the utmost care. The fence was installed to complement the State House but there was some practicality surrounding the decision to install it. The State House grounds were subject to wandering livestock, horses and even local villagers hanging laundry to dry in the refreshing summer breeze. The fence as well as added security returned the State House lawn to the distinguished position it was originally deemed.
Across from the State House, to the left in the lithograph, you will find the esteemed Eagle Hotel, a premiere location where the Concord Stage Coach would stop to deliver and pick-up passengers. The Eagle Hotel offered luxury accommodations as well as fine dining. As we travel further south down Main Street, we find a brick building that is home to the Merchants Exchange followed by wood framed two-story buildings that are home to retail shops, commonly referred to as the Central Buildings.
Next, you will see the Low’s Rumford Hall, this building was named in honor of our very own Count Rumford. The Atheneum Hall follows and was once owned by New Hampshire Gov. Isaac Hill for several years. There is a two-story wood-frame building located just south of the Atheneum Hall that was also owned by Mr. Hill. This building is the location where Mr. Hill first established the New Hampshire Patriot Newspaper in 1809 and he occupied this building until 1825 while using it as a printing shop and the Franklin Bookstore.
The last two buildings we see in our 1858 view are the Hutchins & Company block and the Phenix Hotel. The Phenix Hotel is one of the oldest and sought public houses in all of New Hampshire since it was established at the start of the 19th century.
As the years followed many buildings have left Main Street as the result of fire and hard years. The 20th century ushered in a period of urban development resulting in the demolition of many original buildings to make way for enhanced streets and modern buildings.
Today we are fortunate to still capture a similar view to the one pictured in 1858, the layout and design reflects nicely with our historic State House and buildings such as the Eagle Hotel and Phenix Hotel. Our Concord Main street continued to witness many additional historic events as the decades passed, and it will usher in the next generation as well as the following. With each coming year, the Main Street story continues to evolve as those in search of nostalgia enjoy the vintage views of a time when life was simple.