History of Rochester, New Hampshire, USA

1839 - Rochester
Rochester, New Hampshire
One of the county towns of Strafford county, is 10 miles N.W. from Dover, 22 N.W. from Portsmouth, 34 E. from Concord. Besides Salmon fall river, which divides this town from Berwick and Lebanon in the state of Maine, the Cocheco river runs the whole length of the town, and nearly in the middle, and the Isinglass river crosses the southerly corner of the town just before its junction with Cocheco river, at a place called Blind Will's Neck. Both Salmon fall and Cocheco rivers afford valuable mill-seats; on the latter of which, near the centre of the town, stands the principal village, called Norway Plains. It is a place of considerable trade, and a great thoroughfare from the upper towns in the county to Dover and Portsmouth. There is another village about 2 miles S.W. from this, called Squamanagonnick, the Indian name of the falls in the Cocheco at that place. Much of the soil in Rochester is good; the surface is uneven, with several swells, the principal of... Read MORE...

1854 - Rochester
Rochester, a post-village and semi-capital of Strafford county, New Hampshire, about SO miles E. by N. from Concord. It contains a bank, and is the scat of various manufactures. The Cocheco railroad and the Great Falls and Conway railroad, through which it communicates with various sections of the state, add much to its importance. Population of the township in 1840, 2431 ; in 1850, 3006.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1884 - A TERRIFIC BOILER EXPLOSION. SEVERAL PERSONS KILLED AND MUCH PROPERTY DESTROYED IN A SHOE FACTORY.
ROCHESTER, N. H., Jan. 18. - Four men were instantly killed and seven seriously injured by the bursting of a boiler here this afternoon, at the shoe factory of Wallace Brothers. The accident happened in the engine-room. The shop is run by an engine of 120 horse-power, to which are attached three boilers. At noon the safety valve was noticed to be out of order, and the engineer weighed it down with bricks. The middle boiler was disconnected, and at 1 P. M. the machinery was started with two boilers. This was not sufficient to run the works, so orders were given to shut down, which was done at 2 P. M. At 2:15 the boiler, which had been disconnected, exploded, and was blown through the rear of the building into the storehouse, a distance of 150 feet. The side wall of the building, built of brick, a foot and a half thick, was blown out and the roof of the engine-house shattered. The list of killed is as follows: John Grimes, boss of the yard and in charge of the engine at the time, was... Read MORE...

1895 - Rochester
Rochester, a post-village in Rochester township in Strafford co., N.H., near the Cocheco River, 10 miles N.N.W. of Dover, 78 miles N. of Boston, and about 30 miles E. by N. of Concord. It is on a branch of the Boston & Maine Railroad, is the terminus of the Nashua & Rochester and Portland & Rochester Railroads, and is on the Portsmouth, Great Falls & Conway Railroad. It has several churches, a high school, a national bank, 1 or 2 other banks, a newspaper office, and extensive manufactures of flannel, blankets, - shoes, &c. The township contains other villages, named Gonic and East Rochester, and a pop. of 7396.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1895 - Flood
Slight Change Reported

Rochester, N. H., April 16 There is a slight material change in the condition of the roads and it is thought the trains will run between here and Intervale Junction by making two transfers between Ossipee Valley and West Ossipee, and the other between Milton and Union. The Lake Shore train started to get through and it is doubtful if it is successful.

The water in the Cocheco is slowly falling. Freight on the Northern Division are discontinued with the exception of one between here and Conway Junction. The danger of the dam giving away at Cocheco mills, East Rochester is over. A large quantity of boards from the mill of C F Trask & Co, have floated away.

The Concord river is overflowing its banks. Belvidere Woolen Mills have shut down and the yard is swamped. The New England Bunting Company have also shut down.

Front street, on the Merrimac, is flooded and cellars are full, as is the case on Howe street. Davidson street on the Merrimac is flooded and ... Read MORE...

1906
Rochester, a city of Strafford oo., N.H., near the Cocheco River, 10 miles NNW. of Dover, on the Boston and Maine R. It has extensive industries, comprising the manufacture of woollens, blankets, shoes, boxes, brick, etc. Pop. in 1900, 8466.
Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906

1914 - SIX PERSONS KILLED WHEN TRAIN STRIKES BUCKBOARD. SINGING "NEARER, MY GOD, TO THEE," AND DID NOT HEAR WHISTLE.
Rochester, N.H., July 11. - Six persons returning from a Sunday-school picnic were killed tonight when the buckboard wagon on which they were riding was hit by a freight train on the Boston & Maine Railroad. The party of sixteen was singing "Nearer My God To Thee" as their wagon rumbled down the road toward the tracks, and the voices drowned out the noise of the train. The dead, all of whom were between 14 and 18 years of age, were:
LEONA BLAISDELL and MURIEL BLAISDELL, sisters.
EDITH BLAISDELL and HELEN ANDREWS, all of East Rochester.
RUTH LIBBEY, of South Lebanon, Me.
and EDWARD DEVANEY, of Blackington, Mass.
MURIEL BLAISDELL died after reaching the hospital at Dover, where she was carried in a special train.
The Courier-Journal
Louisville, Kentucky
July 12, 1914

1936 - ORIGIN OF $100,000 BLAZE AT ROCHESTER STILL UNDETERMINED. FIREMEN INJURED FIGHTING STUBBORN BLAZE THAT GUTTED MICHAEL BLOCK.
Rochester, Sept. 11 - Still undetermined is the origin of a fire which early yesterday morning caused damage estimated at $100,000 to the MICHAEL block, drove seven persons into the street and threatened to wipe out the whole business district of the city.

The heaviest damage was suffered by the J. J. NEWBERRY Co., occupying the ground floor of the four-story structure. The store's entire stock was destroyed.

MR. and MRS. JOSEPH HUGHES were forced to flee from second floor rooms, escaping with only a few personal belongings. Driven from an adjoining block by the smoke and heat were MISS DOROTHY MORSE, MR. and MRS. CHARLES JACKSON and MR. and MRS. BERNARD MORTIMER.

Rooms occupied by the F. L. NEWTON barber shop on the second floor and by RICHARD CLARK'S dancing school on the third floor, were badly gutted. JOSEPH MICHAEL, owner of the block, said he believed the total damage would amount to $100,000.

Only a heroic battle by Rochester firemen prevented the blaze from... Read MORE...

Here's a list of places to go and things to do in and around Rochester:
Rochester Common: Start your exploration with Rochester Common. It's a lovely park that hosts events throughout the year. Whether it's a summer concert or a winter festival, there's always something happening.

Downtown Rochester: Take a stroll through downtown. There are cute shops, cafes, and restaurants to explore. Check out local businesses, maybe find some unique items in the boutiques.

Governor's Inn: If you're into history, visit the Governor's Inn. It's a historic building with a charming inn and a restaurant that serves delicious food. The architecture itself is worth a look.

Sculpture Walk: Rochester has an annual sculpture walk where you can enjoy outdoor art. It's a great way to appreciate local artists and get some fresh air.

The Rochester Museum of Fine Arts: Art lovers should head to the museum. It might not be the Met, but it showcases some incredible local talent.

Hiking at Bellamy River Wildlife Management Area: If you're into nature, head to the... Read MORE...