History of Nashua, New Hampshire, USA

1839 - Nashua
Nashua, New Hampshire
Hillsborough county. This town originally embraced a large extent of territory, and was called Dunstable until 1836. It lies 34 miles S. by E. from Concord, 12 S.E. from Amherst, and 12 N.W. from Lowell. The population of Dunstable, in 1830, was 2,414. Population of Nashua in 1836, 5,065; 1837, 5,613; 1838, 5,691.

In the N.W. part of the town, on Nashua river, is the flourishing Village of Nashua, the centre of a considerable trade and the seat of important manufactures. This village contains 8 beautiful churches, a large number of elegant dwelling-houses, 50 stores, and 10 taverns.

The Nashua Manufacturing Company was incorporated in 1823. It has three cotton mills, 155 feet in length, 45 in breadth, and six stories in height. They contain 22,600 spindles, 710 looms, and manufacture 9,390,000 yards of cloth per annum. Their canal is 3 miles long, 60 feet wide, and 8 feet deep. Head and fall, 33 feet. Capital, $750,000.

The Jackson Manufacturing Company ... Read MORE...

1854 - Nashua / Dunstable
Nashua, formerly Dunstable, an important manufacturing post-town of Hillsborough county, New Hampshire, 40 miles N. N. E. from Boston, is situated at the confluence of the Nashua river with the Merrimack,and at the terminus of the Lowell, the Worcester, the Wilton, and the Concord railroads, by which it has communication with the principal cities and towns of New England. The Nashua river has a fall at this place of 65 feet in about 2 miles, affording a vast hydraulic power, which has been greatly improved for manufacturing purposes. Its volume is 180 cubic feet per second in the dryest season. A canal, with locks of solid stone, 82 feet long, and 24 feet high, connects the waters of this stream above the falls with those of the Merrimack. Nashua has long been distinguished for its manufactures, which are very extensive, and embrace articles of almost every description Among the numerous corporations may be mentioned the Nashua Manufacturing Company, chartered in 1823, with a capital... Read MORE...

1854 - GAS EXPLOSION AT NASHUA
House Blown Up - Five Persons Injured.
From the Manchester (N. H.) Mirror

A very singular and wonderful accident occurred at Nashua, at 11 o'clock Tuesday evening. MRS. MARY BALL, a widow, occupied tenement No. 1, on Canal street, owned by the JACKSON corporation. Three of her boarders came home from Dodge's concert a few minutes past 11 o'clock, and as soon as they entered the house smelt gas. They wondered where it could come from, as none was used in the house or in that block of buildings, but the main gas pipe runs within six feet of the house. One of them, CHARLES WINN, took a lamp and opened the cellar door, and forthwith a terrible explosion took place, raising the house from its foundations and blowing the inside into fragments.

DANIEL MARSHALL, brother to NATHANIEL, who was formerly an overseer in one of the mills in this city, was sleeping in a bed alone in the second story, and was thrown, bed, bedstead and bed-clothes clean across Canal street before he waked up.... Read MORE...

1870 - Great Fire in Nashua.
About half past ten Saturday evening fire was discovered in the belfry of the First Congregational Church in Nashua. The fire could have been put out with a gallon of water at first, but fanned by the wind the whole tower was soon enveloped, and owing to the great altitude of the flames no water could be thrown to any effect. The first story of the church was owned by Mr. Jas. L. Pierce and occupied by himself as a crockery store, and by Barr & Co. as a hardware store. Among the stock of these two was paper in a large quantity and oils and varnishes. The building was completely on fire in fifteen minutes from the first alarm, and was consumed, together with Phillips' building. Half a dozen other buildings were more or less injured, but no more were consumed. Summons was sent to Lowell and Manchester for aid and one engine was sent from the former place and two from the latter, but on their arrival the fire was so far under control that that they were not unloaded.

Two firemen were... Read MORE...

1895 - Nashua
Nashua, a city, one of the capitals of Hillsborough £, N.H., is situated on the W. bank of the Merrimac River, at the mouth of the Nashua River, 35 miles S. "f Concord, and 14 miles N.W. of Lowell. It is on the Boston, Lowell & Nashua Railroad and the Concord Railroad, and is a terminus of the Nashua & Rochester and Worcester & Nashua Railroads. An extension of the first named road connects it with Greenfield, N.H. A canal 3 miles long, 60 feet wide, and 8 feet deep has been cut from the Nashua River to the Merrimac, in order to supply motive-power for the numerous manufactories of this town. Nashua contains 11 churches, 2 national banks, a high school, and printing-offices which issue 2 daily and 2 weekly newspapers. Here are extensive manufactures of cotton, iron, steam-engines, edge-tools, locks, carpets, &c. The Nashua Manufacturing Company has 4 cotton-mills and a capital of $1,000,000 or more. About 2000 operatives are employed here in the manufacture of cotton. It is stated... Read MORE...

1895 - THE MERRIMAC RIVER Higher Than it has been for Years - Still Rising.
Nashua, N. H., April 15 - The great rainfall has raised the Merrimac and Nashua rivers, together with Salmon Brook, into rushing torrents. Saturday night and Sunday the rainfall was the heaviest for a number of years, averaging 2 3-100 inches. The Merrimac commenced to rise at an early hour and this morning the water was 12 feet above low water mark and was rising at the rate of six inches per hour. The Jackson company’s mills are shut down on account of back water. The Merrimac has overflowed its banks at the junction of the Nashua. It now threatens to equal the high record of 1878, when backwater in the Merrimac rose above the Jackson company’s dam and flooded the lower rooms of the mills.
Fort Wayne News
Fort Wayne, Indiana
April 13, 1895

1906
Nashua, a city, one of the capitals of Hillsboro co., N.H., is situated on the W. bank of the Merrimac River, at the mouth of the Nashua River, 14 miles NW. of Lowell, on the Boston and Maine R. It has abundant water-power and extensive manufactures of cotton, iron, steam-engines, hardware, shears and clippers, refrigerators, carpets, cards, glased-paper, etc. The church of St. Francis Xavier, erected in 1898, is one of the handsomest in the state. Nashua was chartered as a city in 1853. A United States fish-hatchery is located here. Pop. in 1890, 19,311 ; in 1900, 23,898.
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

1911 - July 4 - 106°F (41°C) at Nashua, New Hampshire (state record)

historyorb.com
July 4, 1911

1930 - HUNDREDS OF HOMES RAZED BY BRUSH BLAZES
Many Persons Made Homeless and Scores of Communities in Eastern Seaboard States Count Losses Mounting Into Millions - Southeastern Section of Nashua, N. H., in Ruins - New York Encircled by Fires.

NEW YORK. May 5 - (AP) - Hundreds were homeless today and scores of communities counted losses mounting into millions of dollars as the result of fires in eastern seaboard states.

The most serious fire destroyed the southeastern section of Nashua, N. H., where more than 500 persons were made homeless when flames consumed more than 225 houses, two churches, a school and four large industrial plants yesterday.

Estimates of the loss ran from $2,500,000 up.
The Lincoln Star
Lincoln, Nebraska
May 5, 1930

2023 - Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Nashua:
Mine Falls Park: This 325-acre urban park is a hidden gem in Nashua. You can enjoy walking, jogging, or biking along the scenic trails that wind through woodlands, wetlands, and along the Nashua River. There are also picnic areas and places to fish.

Greeley Park: Located in the heart of Nashua, Greeley Park offers a peaceful escape with walking paths, gardens, and a pond. It's a great place for a leisurely stroll or a family picnic.

Purgatory Falls: For a more adventurous outdoor experience, head to nearby Mont Vernon to explore Purgatory Falls. There are hiking trails that lead to beautiful waterfall views, making it a popular spot for nature enthusiasts.

Holman Stadium: Baseball fans can catch a Nashua Silver Knights game at Holman Stadium during the summer months. The stadium has a classic ballpark feel and offers a fun night out for the whole family.

Nashua River Rail Trail: This 11-mile-long trail is perfect for biking, running, or walking. It follows the old rail... Read MORE...