HISTORY
HISTORY New Hampshire’s Founding City, Now 399 Years in the Making
What do New Hampshire settlements, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and American family farming all have in common? They all began right here, in Dover! First settled in 1623, Dover is fast approaching its quadricentennial – our 400th anniversary! During the festive lead-up to this momentous occasion, the city has entrusted Dover400, a local committee, with planning our 400th anniversary celebration. Our ongoing focus will be on the cultures that have helped shape our community: From the Native Americans who preceded us, to the French and Irish who toiled in the mills, and to our newest arrivals from Central America and Indonesia – this year, we honor our shared heritage. Over the last 400 years, Dover has accomplished a lot! Here, in the Garrison City, New Hampshire was born. It all started in 1623,
when New Hampshire’s oldest continuous settlement (and the seventh oldest in the United States) first appeared in what is now the Dover Neck area. Known then as the independent colony of Northam, it would later become part of the New Hampshire province in 1679 and would serve as the state capital in 1792. In 1855, Dover officially became a city. For nearly four centuries, Dover has flourished through hard work, community, and the blessings of great geography: Connected to the Atlantic Ocean via the Piscataqua River to its east and the Cochecho and Bellamy Rivers through its center, Dover’s enviable location contributed to the early shipbuilding and farming industries while powering Dover’s sawmills, cotton factories, brick industry, and shoe manufacturing. In 1632, John Tuttle settled on Dover Point Road and founded Tuttle’s Farm, America’s oldest family farm – 11 generations in the making, now the Strafford Rivers Conservancy and Tendercrop Farm – which sells fresh produce, meat and poultry, baked goods, and gifts on the site of the original Tuttle Farm (see page 38).
2022-23 Visitor & Relocation Guide
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