Portsmouth, New Hampshire

City with a population of 20,784 at the 2000 census. Originally inhabited by the Abenaki Native Americans. First explored by Europeans in 1603, it was settled in 1630 by the English, who named Piscataqua after the river, and then Strawberry Banke after the strawberries that grew on the estuary banks. It grew as a shipping, timber and fishing center. Slaves began to be imported in 1645 to help with the development of the city. It was incorporated in 1653 and named for the city in Hampshire, England. It became colonial capital of New Hampshire in 1679 and remained so until the Revolution. Portsmouth was incorporated as a city in 1849. Much of the historic architecture was preserved when new development moved to mill towns on the inland fall line.
Categories: city
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portsmouth,_New_Hampshire
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:  43°3'23"N 70°46'31"W
This article was last modified 9 years ago