Main Street, New Hampshire

The roots of many cherished American traditions may be found on the main streets of New Hampshire towns. Often the heart of a town's social, political, and economic life, main streets offer a sense of identity, dignity, and serenity. Through images, Main Street New Hampshire reflects the romance and nostalgia of the past and showcases the sights and memorials of several important New Hampshire places, including Concord, Keene, Nashua, Rochester, Laconia, Exeter, Newmarket, and others. These images, many dating from as early as 1860, reflect the activity, architecture, transportation, and recreation at the heart of each community.

Bruce D. Heald is an educator, historian, and the author of several Arcadia titles, including Lakes and Ponds of the Granite State (2000) and Railways and Waterways of New Hampshire (1999). In this thoughtful reflection, Heald has drawn on public and private collections to assemble more than two hundred rare images that capture the sense of place unique to New Hampshire's downtown communities.