By this time, quite a population had established
homes in the Salmon Brook area and the settlement
north of the main street bridge was know as Indian
Head Village. Dunstable Plains, also known as Pine
Forest, was the name given to the area between
Indian Head Village and Salmon Brook because it
was a very sandy area and would not support
farming. The industrialization of Dunstable took
this quiet farming town to a thriving marketplace!
Soon many businesses, shops, hotels, churches, and
newspapers rose up in the once barren space
between the two settlements. Urbanization had
arrived!
We also added a police force called the Society
for the detection of Thieves and Midnight
Marauders. These night patrolmen walked the city
streets with lanterns keeping eye for 'suspicious
activity.'
The name Dunstable changed to Nashua on December
31st, 1836. The name origin of Nashua is from the
Nashua River that runs through the city. The
Nashuway Indians of Lancaster, Massachusetts named
the river. In the Penacook language, Nashua means
'beautiful stream with a pebbly bottom'.
The Railroad was extended to Nashua in 1838 from
Lowell. Water Street became one of the most
concentrated industrial districts in all of New
England.
A strange thing happened in 1842. Nashuans split
into two towns. The Harbor Pond area (South River)
population outvoted the Nashua Village (a.k.a.
Indian Village) population regarding the location
of Nashua's first town hall. The Village wanted to
see Nashua's government centered north of the Main
Street Bridge, and the people siding with the
Southern Nashua Settlement favored the Main Street
location. The more populous southern settlement
won a vote put to all the people of Nashua. The
north end was so upset by the loss they broke off
and chartered a new town; Hence Nashville was
created on June 23, 1842. The two towns would not
reunite until 11 years later.
See the City Seal
The first photographer of Nashua was a man by the
name of Lane. He set up shop using the
Daguerreotype process in the Long Block between
Factory and Main Streets. He later moved to the
Beasom Block and his successor, S. B. Richardson
expanded the business into a studio and equipment
shop, offering the people of Nashua a chance to
experiment with the cameras and gadgets of the
time.
Numerous small manufacturers began in the 1830's.
The city opened its first bookstore. In addition,
Pennichuck Water works began operations in 1852
and introduced indoor plumbing.
The George Underhill Edge Tool Company started in
1850 and became quite a famous exporter of axes,
hatchets, hammers, chisels, cleavers and the sort
throughout the world. He was also responsible for
the Crown Hill area, as he owned most of it.
Later, the subdivided lots created many housing
developments. Mayors William Beasom and Gilman
Scripture were both executive employees in George
Underhill's company.
Contributors and borrowers who would pay to borrow
books started he first lending library, the Union
Athenaeum.
The Indian Head Bank began in 1851.
The Indian Head Bank
The Nashua Gas & Light Company began operation in
1853. They illuminated Main Street from dusk until
dawn by lamplight. City workers snuffed lamps
early every morning.
The city started a small house on Taylor Street to
take care of the sick in 1867; Dr. Edward
Spaulding was Nashua's first resident physician.
In 1870, the Central Fire Station opened and
Nashua founded the Historical Society. McQuestion,
Eayers, Golman and Atherton are just some of the
founders of this important society.
The Merchants Exchange building opened in 1872.
From 1875 to 1879, there was a strong economy in
the new mills. Most Nashuans were working in the
mills and living in tenements or company housing
close by. Downtown had about 40 grocery stores!
Population in 1880 was over 13,000; an amazing 50%
increase from the 1840's.
A travel system of horse drawn cars was begun
in 1885. A system of 24 horses and 6 cars ran for
nine years when electricity would then take over the
lines. The horse and electric car system ran in Nashua for 46
years.
See a Horse Car
The men of Nashua who served in the civil war were
given 'The Soldiers and Sailors Monument' in 1889.
President Benjamin Harrison visited Nashua during
the same year. Nashua celebrated his visit with a
parade and luncheon.
Nashua built its first Police Station in 1891
located on Court Street.
The Hunt Home on Main and Allds Streets was
dedicated in 1899 and soon reached capacity with a
long entry waiting list!
Continue to nH 1900 - 1950
