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Portsmouth, New Hampshire

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Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Official seal of Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Seal
Location in Rockingham County, New Hampshire
Location in Rockingham County, New Hampshire
CountyRockingham County
Government
 • City ManagerJohn P. Bohenko
Elevation
6 m (20 ft)
Population
 (2000)
 • Total20,784
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (Eastern)
Websitewww.cityofportsmouth.com

Portsmouth, New Hampshire is the largest city in Rockingham County in the state of New Hampshire in the United States of America. The city population was 20,784 as of the 2000 census. The city is served by Pease International Airport.

History

Piscataqua River in 1909

The first known European to explore the area was Martin Pring in 1603. It would be settled in 1630 as "Piscataqua," then given the name "Strawbery Banke" because of abundant wild strawberries growing beside the Piscataqua River, a tidal estuary. Strategically located for trade between various upstream industries (particularly logging) and mercantile interests abroad, the port prospered. Fishing and shipbuilding were principal businesses.

At the town's incorporation in 1653, the name "Portsmouth" was adopted in honor of the colony's founder, John Mason, captain of the port of Portsmouth, England (which happens to be in the county of Hampshire for which New Hampshire is named). In 1679, Portsmouth became the colony's capital. It also became a refuge for exiles from Puritan Massachusetts. In 1774, Paul Revere rode there to warn that the British were coming. Indeed, the seaport's vulnerablity during the American Revolution to the Royal Navy, which on October 18, 1775 bombarded "Falmouth" (now Portland, Maine), helped justify the rebellious government's move inland to Exeter. Some local fortunes would be lost by withered trade during President Thomas Jefferson's 1807 embargo, and others gained by privateering during the War of 1812. In 1849, Portsmouth incorporated as a city.

File:Warner House, Portsmouth, NH.jpg
Warner House, built in 1716, as it appeared in 1902

Once one of the nation's busiest ports and shipbuilding cities, Portsmouth's wealth was expressed in fine architecture. It contains significant examples of Colonial, Georgian, and Federal style houses, a selection of which are now museums. Portsmouth's heart contains stately brick Federalist stores and townhouses, built all of a piece after devastating early 19th century fires. The city is also noted for producing boldly veneered Federalist furniture, particularly that crafted by Langley Boardman.

The Industrial Revolution, however, would leave Portsmouth in the shadow of New Hampshire mill towns like Dover, Keene, Laconia, Manchester and Nashua. The effect of this economic shift was to preserve old Portsmouth. Now, with the protection of an Historic District Commission, much of the city's architectural legacy survives - to the delight of tourists and artists.

Market Square in c. 1905

John Paul Jones' ship Ranger was built in Portsmouth, and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, located across the river in Kittery, Maine, was established in 1800 -- the nation's first. Portsmouth is also known as the site where President Theodore Roosevelt arranged the Treaty of Portsmouth, signed at 3:47 p.m. on September 5, 1905 at the shipyard by diplomats from Russia and Japan, ending the Russo-Japanese War. The occasion was marked by an honor guard, firing a 19-gun salute, and ringing area church bells. In 2005, there was a re-enactment of the signing of the Portsmouth Peace Treaty.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 43.5 km² (16.8 mi²). 40.4 km² (15.6 mi²) of it is land and 3.1 km² (1.2 mi²) of it (7.03%) is water. Portsmouth is drained by Sagamore Creek and the Piscataqua River. The highest point in the city is 100 feet (30 meters) above sea level, within Pease International Airport.

Demographics

Court Street from Haymarket Square in 1908

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 20,784 people, 9,875 households, and 4,858 families residing in the city. The population density was 514.1/km² (1,331.3/mi²). There were 10,186 housing units at an average density of 251.9/km² (652.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.55% White, 2.13% African American, 0.21% Native American, 2.44% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.28% from other races, and 1.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.35% of the population.

There were 9,875 households out of which 20.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.8% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.8% were non-families. 38.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.04 and the average family size was 2.75.

Rockingham Hotel, built in 1885, as it appeared in 1911. It is now a condominium.

In the city the population was spread out with 17.2% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 36.2% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $45,195, and the median income for a family was $59,630. Males had a median income of $41,966 versus $29,024 for females. The per capita income for the city was $27,540. About 6.4% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.3% of those under age 18 and 8.4% of those age 65 or over.

Strawbery Banke Museum

Located in the "South End," one of Portsmouth's oldest neighborhoods, Strawbery Banke Museum features an extensive collection of restored Colonial, Georgian, and Federal style architecture, saved from 1950s urban renewal by the efforts of Dorothy M. Vaughan and others. Guests learn local history from guides dressed in era costume. Across the street from the museum are the riverside gardens and entertainments of Prescott Park.

Historic House museums

Jackson House, 1664, the oldest in New Hampshire

Notable inhabitants

Gov. John Langdon House, built in 1784, as it appeared in c. 1915

Sister Cities

Portsmouth has five sister cities, as designated by Sister Cities International, Inc. (SCI):

References

  • ^ Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896. Marquis Who's Who. 1967.

    • Template:Mapit-US-cityscale

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