Hampton, NH

Welcome to Hampton, NH

Incorporated in 1639, Hampton was first called Winnacunnet, the Indian name for pleasant pines. It was one of four original New Hampshire towns established by the Massachusetts government. In 1638, the area, which included land now in Seabrook, Kensington, Danville, Kingston, East Kingston, Sandown, North Hampton, South Hampton, Hampton Falls, and Great Boar's Head, was settled by a group of parishioners led by Reverend Stephen Bachiler. The Reverend had previously preached in Hampton, England, and the town was incorporated as Hampton in 1639. Poet John Greenleaf Whittier was a direct descendant of Reverend Bachiler. Construction of the railroad in the 1850s made Hampton's oceanfront a popular resort.

Population change for Hampton totaled 10,112 over 57 years, from 5,379 in 1960 to 15,491 in 2017. The largest decennial percent change was a 49 percent increase between 1960 and 1970. The 2017 Census estimate for Hampton was 15,491 residents, which ranked 17th among New Hampshire's incorporated cities and towns. Hampton contains 13.8 square miles of land area and 0.4 square miles of inland water area.

Hampton Beach

It is hard to say when Hampton Beach became such a famous place to spend splendid summers on the Seacoast. Was it in 1900 when the trolleys arrived at the Hampton Beach Casino? In the 1840’s when the first hotels were opened for summer vacationers? Or a now forgotten era, when Native Americans camped out on the shores of Hampton Harbor?

Those were merely the seeds of a great destination being planted.

The truth is that the town of Hampton itself was once a major farming community, with few concerns about the needs of a vacationer’s paradise along its Atlantic shores. This neglect led to the formation of the Hampton Beach Village District.

Established on June 26, 1907, the Hampton Beach Village District began a pattern of progress as it led the town to the future. Electricity and waterworks were installed at Hampton Beach first to ensure the comfort of visitors. More importantly was the creation of the town’s first Fire Department to ensure the protection and safety of property at Hampton Beach. The 1923 fire station at Hampton Beach is still in service and stands on Ashworth Avenue, near Hampton’s new police station.

Most importantly for the billions of visitors to Hampton Beach over the last century, has been the Hampton Beach Village District’s constant drive to come up with new attractions to make their stay at Hampton Beach a memorable one. Many of those attractions have come and gone over the years. Gone are the trolleys, which sparked off the sudden growth at Hampton Beach. Gone are the barnstormers who would take off from the sands of Hampton Beach. But then, gone too is the “bathing censor” who would keep an eye on the scandalous swimsuits of the 1920’s era.

Many more things have risen and remained.

The Hampton Beach Playground, established in 1920’s still draws children off the beach and sparked off the Children’s Festival that continues to this day. Free nightly concerts at the Seashell Stage and fantastic fireworks are a long-standing tradition sponsored by the Hampton Beach Village District. A Miss Hampton Beach has been crowned every year since 1946. The Carnival Week, which once ended the summer season during the early 20th century has been replaced by the famed Hampton Beach Seafood Festival.

In more recent years, the Hampton Beach Master Sand Sculpting Competition, Hampton Beach Talent Competition, volleyball competitions, talent shows and the many other events that mark the busy summer season are all the handiwork of the Hampton Beach Village District.

True, there is no “perfect” place to spend your vacation. But every year, thanks to the hard work of the Hampton Beach Village District, it gets that much closer. Thanks to them, Hampton Beach is a great beach and a whole lot more!

(Info taken from the NHES and The Hampton Beach Village District websites.)