A Chronological Perspective of Durham, NH

<< Illustration by John Hatch for the cover of the Durham Historic Association's publication, "Durham, New Hampshire, a History 1900-1985"

Durham, New Hampshire

Incorporated 1732

1623  —  English colonists establish first settlement at Dover Neck.

1633  —  Settlers spread out to nearby tidal shores of Oyster River and are in “recognized possession” of lands up to the fall line by 1640.

1649  —  Valentine Hill is granted “the fall of the Oyster River” and sets up a saw mill by 1651.

1655  —  A Meeting House is built, and taxes paid to the Dover Parish allow a separate minister for Oyster River.

1694  —  Indians, led by the French, “fall upon Oyster River, taking 3 garrisons, killing or carrying away 94 persons, and burning 14 houses.”

1716  —  Oyster River Plantation is granted rights as an independent parish.

1732  —  Oyster River Parish is incorporated as a township and named DURHAM.

1774  —  In one of the first acts of the American Revolution, Durham men bring arms and powder (by gundalow from Fort William and Mary to the Meeting House at the falls) which were later used at the Battle of Bunker Hill.

1776 ­ 1829  —  Seventy four ocean going vessels (46 being of 200 399 ton) are produced in the peak years of shipbuilding at the Town ways.

1794 ­ 1855  —  Piscataqua Bridge, a 2,363 foot wooden wonder, links Durham east to Newington and west to the New Hampshire Turnpike.

1841  —  The Boston & Maine Railroad is extended through Durham from Exeter to Dover.

1893  —  New Hampshire College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts moves from Hanover to Durham on land willed by Benjamin Thompson.

1923  —  New Hampshire College becomes the University of New Hampshire (UNH) with the addition of a College of Liberal Arts.

1946  —  An influx of WW II students on the G.I. Bill sparks continuing growth of UNH and the Town of Durham.

1974  —  Durham Town Meeting votes NO to an oil refinery proposed for Durham Point by Aristotle Onassis.

1987  —  After 255 years of Town Meetings and Selectmen, Durham votes YES for a Charter change to a Council Town Administrator form of government.

1992  —  Durham is 260 years incorporated but 359 years old since settled.