History of Rye, New Hampshire, USA

1839 - Rye
Rye, New Hampshire
Rockingham county, is pleasantly situated on the sea coast, 6 1/ 2 miles S. from Portsmouth. It was originally taken from Portsmouth, Greenland, Hampton, and New Castle, chiefly the latter; and though it began to be settled as early as the year 1635, it was not incorporated till 1719. The sea coast here is about 6 miles in extent, being nearly one third of the coast in the state. On the shore, there are three considerable and very pleasant beaches, viz. Sandy, Jenness', and Wallis', to which many persons resort in the summer season from neighboring towns and the country, both for health and for pleasure. There is here a small harbor, near Goss' mill, into which vessels of 70 or 80 tons burden may conveniently enter, at high water. The boat fishery is carried on to considerable advantage, particularly in the fall and winter seasons. There was formerly a large fresh water pond, lying contiguous to the sand bank or bounds of the sea, covering a surface of about 300... Read MORE...

1854 - Rye
Rye, a post-township in Rockingham co., New Hampshire, on the Atlantic coast, 47 miles E. S. E. from Concord. Pop., 1295.
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.

1895 - Rye Beach
Rye Beach, a post-village of Rockingham co., N.H., in Rye township, on the ocean, about 6 miles S. of Portsmouth. It has 2 churches. Here is a fashionable bathing-place, with large and superior hotels. At Rye Beach the direct telegraph cable from Great Britain comes to land.
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

1912 - BIG FIRE AT RYE BEACH. WELL KNOWN MARDEN HOUSE COMPLETELY DESTROYED AT EARLY HOUR THIS MORNING.
The most serious fire for years at Rye Beach and one that threatened several nearby costly summer residences, occurred early this morning when the Marden House, one of the best hotels on the New Hampshire coast, burned to the ground. The hotel, a three-story structure located on Sea Road, Allen's Corner, took fire shortly after two o'clock in a shed used for the storage of automobiles and spread to the barn, ice house and main building, which are all connected.

The guests were quickly awakened and began removing what they could from their rooms. People occupying the front part of the hotel managed to save about everything as the fire was some time in reaching that part of the hotel. Between fifty and a hundred guests were at the house and assisted in getting out a lot of the furniture.

The auto chemical and crew, with Chief RANDALL, were called and did good work in saving several of the nearby valuable summer homes which were threatened as the flames reached the main building.... Read MORE...

Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Rye, New Hampshire:
Rye Beach: Let's start with the obvious one – Rye Beach itself. With its soft sandy shores and the soothing sound of the waves, Rye Beach is a perfect place to unwind. Whether you want to swim, sunbathe, or simply take a leisurely stroll along the coastline, this beach has it all. It's also a great spot for picnics and beachcombing.

Odiorne Point State Park: This is a must-visit for nature lovers. Odiorne Point State Park offers scenic walking trails that wind through forests and along the rugged coastline. You can also explore the Seacoast Science Center within the park, which provides educational exhibits about local marine life and natural history.

Seacoast Science Center: If you're traveling with kids or just have a curiosity for marine life, the Seacoast Science Center is worth a visit. It's not only educational but also interactive, with touch tanks, live animal exhibits, and informative displays about the Gulf of Maine's ecosystem.

Rye Harbor State Park: This park is a ... Read MORE...