105 Fun & Interesting Facts About New Hampshire

Are you ready for an adventure to a place with towering mountains, deep forests, and lots of history? Let’s visit New Hampshire, a small but mighty state in the northeastern part of the United States. New Hampshire is full of surprises and interesting stories, so grab your backpacks, and let’s discover some cool facts about New Hampshire!

Did you know that New Hampshire is called the “Granite State”? That’s because it has a lot of granite rock. People from all over come to see its beautiful mountains and rock formations. The state has some of the highest peaks in the northeastern U.S., including Mount Washington, which is famous for its super strong winds and amazing views.

New Hampshire is also a place where history comes alive. It was one of the first thirteen colonies that became the United States. It has lots of historic sites and old buildings that tell the story of America’s past. Plus, New Hampshire is really important when it comes to choosing the president. It holds the first primary election, which is a big deal in American politics.

And here’s another fun fact about New Hampshire: they love outdoor activities. Whether it’s skiing down snowy slopes in the winter or hiking through colorful forests in the fall, there’s always something exciting to do outside. The state is also home to beautiful lakes and rivers where you can go swimming, boating, or just enjoy a peaceful day by the water.

Are you ready to learn more facts about New Hampshire? From its towering granite mountains to its rich history and love for the outdoors, there’s so much to explore and discover in this charming state. Let’s dive in and find out all the amazing things that make New Hampshire a special place to visit and learn about!

Be sure to discover even more interesting facts with our Facts about Pennsylvania and our Facts about Oklahoma.

Facts about New Hampshire

1. New Hampshire’s state constitution dates back to 1784, making it the second oldest in the nation. Only Massachusetts’ state constitution, approved in 1780, is older. 
2. “Old New Hampshire” is the official state song but there are eight other honorary state songs, including “New Hampshire Naturally” and “Oh, New Hampshire (You’re My Home).” 
3. In 2010, the obituary of Dover’s Binx the Goat appeared in newspapers around the state, even though he was famous for almost no reason beyond the fact his owners frequently walked him through town. According to one obituary, “he welcomed a soft pat on his behind, and appreciated any treats fans would drop in his path.” 
4. The potato is New Hampshire’s state vegetable. 
5. Belknap County, 3 mi (4.8 km) east of Ashland is considered the geographic center of New Hampshire.
6. New Hampshire ranks among the top ten states in the U.S. for total energy cost per month. On average, a household in the state pays $550 every month towards electricity, natural gas, motor fuel, and home heating, combined.
7. Famously known as Uncle Sam, Samuel Wilson grew up in Mason, New Hampshire. When he was 14 years old, his family moved to Mason and settled on a hundred-acre farm.
8. Ground winds as high as 231 miles an hour were recorded atop the peaks of Mount Washington on April 12, 1934. This remained a world record until 1996. The wind speeds are comparable to winds in Category 5 hurricanes and F4 tornadoes.
9. State Motto: Live Free or Die. Crafted by Revolutionary General John Stark, this motto encapsulates New Hampshire’s values of liberty and self-reliance.
10. New Hampshire’s State Flag featuring the state seal against a blue background, the flag symbolizes New Hampshire’s pride and history.
11. Located in Concord, the state capital, New Hampshire’s State House is one of the oldest state capitols in which the legislature still occupies its original chambers.
12. The Connecticut River forms New Hampshire’s western border with Vermont, stretching over 400 miles from north to south.
13. Mount Washington Cog Railway was opened in 1869, this railway is the world’s first mountain-climbing cog railway, offering a unique way to reach Mount Washington’s summit.
14. Mount Washington Auto Road is a historic road that offers a scenic route to Mount Washington’s summit, providing breathtaking views and a unique driving experience.
15. New Hampshire shares a northern border with the Canadian province of Quebec, enhancing its cultural and economic ties with Canada.
16. The state’s motto is “Live Free or Die.” The state declared its independence from England in Exeter on January 5, 1776. It was the ninth state to ratify the constitution.
17. With 400 members, New Hampshire’s state house is the largest of all the states. 
18. Alan Shepard became the first American astronaut to enter space in 1961. He was born and raised in Derry, New Hampshire.
19. Franklin Pierce is the only United States President to hail from New Hampshire. While he is generally considered to have had a lackluster presidency, New Hampshirites can take solace in the fact that Nerve.com ranked him America’s 5th sexiest president. 
20. In New Hampshire, it’s illegal to sell lightning rods without a license. 

21. Levi Hutchins of Concord is frequently credited with inventing the first alarm clock in 1787. However, mechanical alarm clocks date back to 15th-century Europe, and ancient Greek philosopher Plato is rumored to have possessed something akin to an alarm clock. 
22. New Hampshire has two state seals: the best known seal features an early American frigate the U.S.S. Raleigh, and the other features upright fish, a pine tree, and five arrows. The fish and tree represent industry, and the arrows represent New Hampshire’s five counties. 
23. Cornish is home to the Blow-Me-Down Bridge. The name isn’t meant to tempt fate, it refers to the Blow-Me-Down Brook below. 
24. New Hampshire’s coastal Isles of Shoals were originally named Smythe Isles by the explorer John Smith—yes, he of Disney movie fame. 
25. In 2008, Funspot in Laconia, New Hampshire, was named the largest arcade in the world by Guinness World Records. It’s home to over 600 games, half of which are classic arcade games.
26. Other nicknames of the state include: Mother of Rivers- for the rivers of New England that originate in our Mountains; White Mountain State- for its white mountain range; and Switzerland of America- for its beautiful mountain scenery.
27. The first potato grown in the United States was planted in New Hampshire in 1719.
28. Mount Washington not only offers spectacular views but also stands as a symbol of New Hampshire’s natural grandeur.
29. New Hampshire Fisher Cats, this Double-A minor league baseball team brings sports excitement to Manchester, showcasing the state’s love for baseball.
30. The state seal of New Hampshire features the frigate U.S.S. Raleigh which is a symbol of New Hampshire’s commitment to independence and its naval history.
31. The state was named after Hampshire County in England by Captain John Mason, who was granted the territory in the early 17th century.
32. Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, claims the title of the oldest summer resort in America. Founded in 1770, it has been a popular retreat for travelers seeking the serene beauty of Lake Winnipesaukee and the surrounding landscapes.
33. In 1961, Alan Bartlett Shepard Jr. born in New Hampshire became the first American to travel into space. And in 1971, he walked on the moon – becoming the fifth man in the process.
34. New Hampshire is home to more than 500 species of vertebrate animals.
35. At the Anheuser-Busch factory in Merrimack, New Hampshire, guests can visit the home base of the East Coast hitch of the iconic Budweiser Clydesdales.
36. New Hampshire is one of the thirteen original colonies. It was initially named “North Virginia,” then “New England” and finally “New Hampshire.”
37. New Hampshire stands out for having no state income tax, reflecting its motto of “Live Free or Die” in its fiscal policy.
38. New Hampshire takes pride in protecting its wildlife, with a dedicated list of endangered species to conserve its natural heritage.
39. The white-tailed deer, a symbol of New Hampshire’s wildlife, thrives across the state, from rural areas to the dense forests.
40. In 1776, New Hampshire became the first colony to create a constitution and declare its independence from Great Britain.

41. Tourism is the state’s second-largest industry.
42. New Hampshire is home to the first ever widely publicized case of an alien abduction. In 1961, Portsmouth natives Betty and Barney Hill reported being abducted by extraterrestrials and taken into a UFO. Since July 2011, there has been a state historical marker at the alleged abduction site.
43. In 2012, a man named Vermin Supreme was listed on New Hampshire’s Democratic Primary ballot for president. The heart of his platform were promises of “free ponies and mandatory tooth brushing.” Supreme finished in sixth with 833 votes.
44. Cornish-Windsor Bridge in New Hampshire is the longest wooden covered bridge and the longest two-span covered bridge in the world. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The bridge is approximately 449 feet (137 m) long and 24 feet (7 m) wide. 
45. The Salmon Falls River, along with the Piscataqua, defines the southern boundary of New Hampshire, showcasing the state’s natural beauty.
46. Before being named New Hampshire, the region was referred to as North Virginia by early English explorers.
47. New Hampshire is the only state in the U.S. that does not require adults to wear seat belts while operating a motor vehicle. Nor does it require motorcycle riders to wear a helmet while riding.
48. The world’s first totally tax-supported public library was established in Peterborough in 1833.
49. The nine stars around the state seal on New Hampshire’s flag represent it as the ninth state to join the Union.
50. In 2013, an Epsom, New Hampshire man lost $2,600—all of his savings—playing a carnival game called “Tubs of Fun.” He was trying to win an Xbox Kinect but came up short, and instead, went home with a huge stuffed banana with dreadlocks. 
51. It’s possible you’ve never heard of Newport native Sarah Josepha Hale, but you definitely know her work. She wrote the nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” She was also instrumental in the founding of Thanksgiving, writing letters to five different presidents trying to convince them to support legislation establishing the holiday. The last, Abraham Lincoln, took her up on her request in 1863 in part to foster a sense of unity and hope during the Civil War. 
52. New Hampshire ranks second in the nation for beef consumption per capita, behind only North Dakota. 
53. New Hampshire has hosted the earliest presidential primary since 1920, and the state has passed several laws to ensure they stay #1. This is largely because holding the primary is a big moneymaker for the state. 
54. Out of the 50 states, New Hampshire is the 5th smallest, with a total land area of 9,349 mi² (24,214 km²). Only New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, and Rhode Island are smaller, all of which are also in the Northeastern U.S.
55. Mount Washington is the highest point not only in New Hampshire but also in the Northeastern US, at 6,288 ft (1,916.66 m).
56. It’s prohibited to keep time to the music in a café or tavern by nodding your head, tapping your feet, or in any other way.
57. In 1719, some of the first potatoes grown in America were planted by Scottish-Irish settlers in what is today Derry, New Hampshire. Today, the white potato is recognized as the official state vegetable.
58. New Hampshire has the largest lower house of any U.S. state, with over 400 house representatives, nearly double the second largest (Pennsylvania).
59. New Hampshire has the longest-running lottery in the continental United States. Initially, numbers were not randomly drawn, but determined by horse races at Rockingham Park in Salem to avoid federal anti-lottery laws.
60. Concord was made the permanent state capital of New Hampshire in 1808.

61. For New Hampshire’s border with Vermont, which follows the Connecticut River, the border is on the Vermont side of the river, so the whole river technically lies in New Hampshire.
62. A whopping 96% of all employers in New Hampshire are small business owners.
63. Luther C. Ladd of Alexandria, New Hampshire is believed to be the first soldier killed during the Civil War. He died during the Baltimore riot of 1861 and was just 17 at the time. 
64. Last December, a New Hampshire man caught the attention of local police by knocking on the windows of Hollis Primary School while dressed as Santa and waving to students. The man claimed he was just trying to spread some good old-fashioned “holiday cheer.” 
65. Lake Winnipesaukee and the surrounding lakes (Winnisquam and Opechee) are the primary recreation focus of the state during the non-ski months of the year.
66. The White Mountain Range is a hallmark of New Hampshire, offering some of the most stunning and challenging hiking trails in the Eastern United States.
67. New Hampshire is home to the first state library in America, established in 1717 in Portsmouth. This library marks a significant milestone in the country’s commitment to education and access to knowledge.
68. “Live Free or Die” is not just a motto but a reflection of New Hampshire’s fierce spirit of independence and resilience.
69. New Hampshire has the shortest coastline of any U.S. state. The coastline is just 18 miles long.
70. New Hampshire acquired the state nickname “Switzerland of America” after early visitors compared the White Mountains to those of Switzerland. 
71. Merrimack is home to the famous Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales. They’re notably the only horses ever to play football in a Super Bowl commercial. 
72. Currently, there aren’t any federally-recognized Native American tribes in New Hampshire. Native people make up less than 0.1% of the population.
73. There is no tax on earned income in New Hampshire. 
74. The author and journalist who wrote the poem “Mary Had a Little Lamb” in 1830 was Sarah Josepha Hale of Newport, New Hampshire.
75. The first alarm clock was invented by Concord resident Levi Hutchins in 1787.
76. The state’s highest recorded temperature was 106°F (41°C) in Nashua on July 4, 1911. The lowest was -47°F (-44°C), recorded atop Mount Washington on January 29, 1934.
77. In 2011, a Rochester, New Hampshire woman had an urn full of her mother’s ashes stolen at a bingo game. She eventually went to the media with the story hoping to convince the perpetrator to return the urn. A few days later, it showed up on her doorstep. 
78. Moose is the largest land mammal in New Hampshire. An adult moose averages 1,000 pounds and stands 6 feet tall at the shoulders. Surprisingly, their front legs are longer than their hind legs which helps them to jump over fallen trees and debris of other sorts.
79. New Hampshire has the highest literacy rate in the US, at 94.2%.
80. The island town of New Castle is the smallest by land mass in New Hampshire. It covers .8 square miles and has a population of roughly 1,000. It is also the easternmost town in the state.

81. Derry, New Hampshire native Alan B. Shepard was the first American ever in space. He also has the longest golf drive in history, having hit two balls an estimated 2.5 miles each when he visited the moon in 1971. 
82. New Hampshire’s state sport is skiing. 
83. New Hampshire has 93 state park properties. Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site is the only national park site in the state.
84. The state’s government, rooted in the oldest permanent state constitution in the U.S., reflects New Hampshire’s long-standing values of democracy and independence.
85. New Hampshire boasts a short, but picturesque, 18-mile coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, offering beautiful beaches and maritime activities.
86. New Hampshire has the lowest poverty rate in the U.S. It is also one of the wealthiest states in the Union.
87. New Hampshirites are some of the best presidential voters in the country. In 2012, they ranked fourth in the nation with a turnout of 71 percent compared to a national turnout of 57.5 percent. 
88. If there was a good metric to calculate the statistic, New Hampshire would probably be #1 in the country when it comes to per capita comedy talent. Late Night host Seth Meyers and stand-up comedian Sarah Silverman both grew up in Bedford. Adam Sandler is from neighboring Manchester.
89. In November of 2003, the minor league baseball team the New Haven Ravens announced they would be renaming the team the New Hampshire Primaries upon relocating to Manchester. Their logo featured a donkey and an elephant. After some local outrage, the team allowed a fan vote to rename the team. The New Hampshire Fisher Cats ended up winning out. 
90. The 1995 blockbuster “Jumanji,” starring Robin Williams, was set and filmed in the city of Keene.
91. Peterborough is home to the United States first public library, which dates back to 1833. 
92. A 2009 study conducted by University of New Hampshire researchers found a negative correlation between childhood spanking and IQ. 
93. New Hampshire is the 10th least populous state, with 1.4 million residents. It sits between Hawaii and Maine in terms of population.
94. 83.4% of New Hampshire is covered in forest, second only to Maine.
95. Other New Hampshire laws include a ban on using heavy machinery on Sundays, peeing while looking up on a Sunday, picking up seaweed on a beach, or selling clothes that you’re wearing to pay off a gambling debt.
96. In 1790, the state of Vermont was created out of lands that had been disputed between New Hampshire and New York State.
97. New Hampshire’s coastline is only 18 mi (29 km) long (the shortest of any coastal U.S. state), while its border with Canada is only 58 mi (93 km), with only one border crossing between countries.
98. The state was the 3rd of the 13 colonies to be established (in 1623), after Virginia and Massachusetts.
99. At Story Land amusement park, kids can ride a real-life Cinderella pumpkin coach.
100. In 1828, 400 women employed at Dover’s Cocheco Mills organized the nation’s first entirely female strike due to reduced wages and new regulations.

101. At 6,288 feet, Mount Washington claims the title of the highest peak in the northeastern United States. Its weather station recorded one of the highest wind speeds on Earth.
102. Established in 1623, Dover is recognized as New Hampshire’s first permanent European settlement, marking the beginning of the state’s rich history.
103. Piscataqua River is the third-fastest tidal river in the U.S.
104. The Russo-Japanese War of 1904 to 1905 officially ended with the Treaty of Portsmouth, whose negotiations took place in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The peace agreement marked the first and only time a foreign war has concluded on U.S. soil.
105. In 2012, an Epping, New Hampshire woman was arrested four times over the span of 26 hours for blasting AC/DC music and then throwing a frying pan.
106. At 6,288 feet, Mount Washington claims the title of the highest peak in the northeastern United States. Its weather station recorded one of the highest wind speeds on Earth.
107. Established in 1623, Dover is recognized as New Hampshire’s first permanent European settlement, marking the beginning of the state’s rich history.
108. Piscataqua River is the third-fastest tidal river in the U.S.
109. The Russo-Japanese War of 1904 to 1905 officially ended with the Treaty of Portsmouth, whose negotiations took place in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The peace agreement marked the first and only time a foreign war has concluded on U.S. soil.
110. In 2012, an Epping, New Hampshire woman was arrested four times over the span of 26 hours for blasting AC/DC music and then throwing a frying pan.

Do you have even more interesting facts about New Hampshire? Share them with us in the comments!