History of Hampton, New Hampshire, USA

1769 - COLONEL MOULTON'S BUILDINGS BURNED.
On the 15th of March, 1769, town-meeting day, occurred the most destructive fire with which the town had ever been visited. The following account of it is taken from the Boston Chronicle of March 20, where it appeared as a communication from Portsmouth, under date of March 17.

"Last Wednesday morning, about 4 o'clock, the large mansion of Col. Jonathan Moulton of Hampton, together with two stores contiguous, was wholly consumed by fire. This melancholy accident, it is supposed, was occasioned by a beam taking fire under the hearth in hi parlor. The flames had got to so great a height before the discovery, that it was with great difficulty the family escaped with their lives. Col. Moulton saved no other clothing than a cloak, & a gentleman who happened occasionally to lodge at the Colonel's was obliged to jump out of the chamber window. When he was first called upon he did not know the occasion and had put on most of his clothes before the smoke apprised him of his danger. There... Read MORE...

1839 - Hampton
Hampton, New Hampshire
Rockingham county, lies on the sea-coast, bounded N.E. by North-Hampton, S.E. by the Atlantic, S.W. by Hampton Falls, N.W. by Hampton Falls and part of Exeter. Distant 13 miles S.W. from Portsmouth, 7 S.E. from Exeter, and 50 S.E. from Concord. The soil is well adapted to tillage and mowing, and about one fifth of the territory is a salt marsh. Hampton is pleasantly situated, many eminences in the town affording romantic views of the ocean, Isles of Shoals, and sea-coast from Cape Ann to Portsmouth. Its beaches have long been the resort of invalids and parties of pleasure, and are little inferior to the famous Nahant beach near Boston.

Boar's Head is an abrupt eminence extending into the sea, and dividing the beaches about half way between the river's mouth and the N.E. corner of the town. On the N. beach are numerous fish-houses, from which the winter and summer fisheries have been carried on with much success. Great quantities of the winter fish are... Read MORE...

1854 - Hampton
Hampton, a post-township in Rockingham co. , N. H. on Eastern railroad 50 miles S. E. of Concord. This township is a favorite summer resort for its fine bathing and picturesque scenery. Population, 1197.
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.

1860 - Lightning Strikes Old Marston House
August 8, 1860, the old Marston house, the paternal homestead of Mrs. Uri Lamprey, who inherited it, was struck by lightning and injured beyond repair, "The lightning struck on the west end, near the roof, and ran down to the ground, ripping off the clapboards, passing out and in , and completely riddling the end of the building. A child, abed in one of the chambers whose wall were shattered, miraculously escaped uninjured." Mrs. John Brown, as Irish tenant, was killed, at prayer. Having just remarked that , if she must die by lightning she would die praying, she dropped upon her knees. While in that attitude, the bolt fell. The house was built in 1690.

History of the Town of Hampton, New Hampshire: From Its Settlement in 1638 to Autumn of 1892, pages
August 8, 1860

1885 - Fire
PORTSMOUTH, N. H., May 7. - A fire at Hampton Beach last night and this morning burned the Seaside House, the Atlantic House and the Ocean House, the cottage of Rufus Brown, the cottage of George D. Dodge, the Sea View Cottage, billiard hall and stable, the Gouch Cottage and a saloon, all owned by John G. Cutter; the house of Charles G. Perkin and stable. Total loss, $50,000.
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
May 8, 1885

1895 - Hampton / Hampton Beach
Hampton, a post-village of Rockingham co., N.H., in Hampton township, and on the Eastern Railroad, 46 miles N.N.E. of Boston, and 10 miles S.S.W. of Portsmouth. It has 4 churches and a good hotel. The township is bounded on the S.E. by the Atlantic Ocean. Pop. of the township, 1330. HAMPTON BEACH, in this township, is a summer resort, with numerous large hotels.
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

1898 - NEW HAMPSHIRE TORNADO. Loss of Life and Damage to Property at Hampton Beach.
Hampton, N. H., July 6. - A tornado struck a section of Hampton beach at 3:15 o'clock, causing immense damage to beach property and great loss of life. Cottages were blown flat, horses were picked up bodily and dashed against buildings, vehicles carried many feet, barns unroofed, large trees snapped off at their roots while others were torn up bodily. the tornado touched the beach at a place about half a mile north of Witler's hotel and cut a swath 100 yards wide in a westerly direction, moving in a rotary shape until it passed out to sea. Twenty cottages were torn down and several small hotels completely demolished.

The greatest loss of live and injury came with the demolition of the old skating rink near Levitts, a single story structure, 500x100. Here from 75 to 125 persons were seriously injured, an unknown number slightly wounded, and seven persons are already dead. A yacht owned by Captain FRANK MUDD of this place was sailing off the beach and was in the path of the storm. In ... Read MORE...

1915 - FIRE SWEEPS COAST RESORT. $200,000 Blaze at Hampton Beach, N. H., Destroys 45 Buildings
Hampton Beach, N. H. Sept 23 - A fire starting in a box of rubbish tonight destroyed 45 buildings and caused a loss estimated at $250,000 in the most crowded part of this summer resort before the flames were checked by dynamite. Five hotels, two theaters, business blocks, and scores of cottages were leveled over a compactly built area of two acres.

The hotels destroyed were the Ashworth House, the most pretentious on the beach; Janvrin, Grand View, Lawrence, and the DeLancey. The regular season had closed and there were only about 200 cottagers at the beach.
Washington Post
Washington, D.C.
September 24, 1915

1950 - $500,000 FIRE HITS HAMPTON BEACH - 18 Buildings In Heart Of New Hampshire Summer Resort Destroyed
HAMPTON, BEACH, N. H., July 15 (AP) - A $500,000 flash fire roared through 18 buildings in the heart of this popular New Hampshire seaside resort Friday night.

It razed an entire wooden block, destroying one hotel, four restaurants, a penny arcade and several rooming houses and other business establishments. Another hotel was damaged.

No one was injured seriously. the 300 feet of ocean front property was burned in little more than an hour and a half. The blaze was checked before it reached the Casino, a huge dance hall.

The Chamber of Commerce arranged accommodations for many of the 100 vacation visitors who were left without shelter. Some who were on the beach in bathing suits at the time of the fire, lost their clothing, too.

The blaze apparently started in a small photo shop or restaurant stand in the rear of the totally destroyed Dudley hotel. It was battled by 11 fire departments. They dropped hose into the ocean to douse the area with sea water.

Three firemen were ... Read MORE...

Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Hampton, New Hampshire:
Hampton Beach: Hampton Beach is the town's main attraction. Stretching for miles along the Atlantic Ocean, it's a perfect spot for swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing. The beach is also known for its boardwalk, which features shops, restaurants, and arcades. Don't miss the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, a historic concert venue.

Seashell Stage: Located on the boardwalk at Hampton Beach, the Seashell Stage hosts free nightly entertainment during the summer months. You can enjoy live music, dance performances, and other events in an open-air setting with ocean views.

Hampton Beach State Park: This state park offers a more serene beach experience compared to the bustling main beach. It's great for picnicking, birdwatching, and exploring the nature trails. There's also a camping area if you want to stay overnight.

Explore the Great Boars Head: This scenic peninsula on the northern end of Hampton Beach offers breathtaking views of the coastline. You can take a leisurely stroll... Read MORE...