Hampton’s earliest history in 1638 found settlers diligently farming upriver. The lovely beach was empty, save for fishermen who made their living on the water.
Using hard lines and with two or three good men to a so-called Hampton dory, the fishermen sailed or rowed daily to offshore grounds, and their catch was always substantial. The fishing industry would prove to be pivotal for the start of the resort business.
In 1819 the first hotel was built on Boar’s Head, quite possibly the first seaside hotel north of Boston. One could take a steamboat ride from Portsmouth to Hampton for one dollar, including chowder. Visitors also arrived by stagecoach. Hampton Beach was on its way to becoming one of the most popular vacation spots in the country.
By the 1860s people had begun to build cottages, primarily for day use, since visitors stayed in hotels at night. Still, one could relax and enjoy the beach at their own little house by the sea. Clearly people were on to something!
One farmer, ”Robert” wrote in the Farmer’s Monthly Visitor “We must have a little recreation now and then. As soon as we get our corn crop in, and before the hay season commences, we will take a ride to Hampton Beach. There is a sublime stirring of our feelings when we look upon the sea, as it comes swooping upon the sand.” Once there, visitors would swim and sun and might finish the day with fish and lobster caught and cooked on the rocks.
Indians, too, as early as 1861, would tent and sell baskets made from marsh sweet grass. In 1911 the Union reported “Their camp is of great interest. Cooking is done in true Indian fashion over an open campfire. The camp is attractive with gaily colored baskets, sweet grass novelties and blankets and is one of the showplaces of the Beach.”
By 1886 the growing hotel industry was having a large impact on the whole town. Tons of merchandise were hauled each day from the depot to numerous hotels as well as delivery of 2-3 tons of ice. Beautiful fireworks displays were an anticipated part of beach activites.
It was common for newspapers such as the Ocean Breeze to publish the names of guests which included luminaries such as P.T.Barnum and Tom Thumb, Presidents Franklin Pierce, James A. Garfield and Grover Cleveland, Robert E. Lee and Oliver Wendal Holmes. Women, it was said looked quite pretty in their bathing suits made of flannel chintz and if you didn’t have a suit one could be rented although they were one size for all!
Fred Nudd’s sloop provided excursions to the Isle of Shoals or fishing trips. Streetcars running half-hourly could bring thousands of people a day to the Beach thereby contributing to making Hampton Beach one of the largest resort destinations in New England. In 1899 the first casino opened with theaters, food and games and was an immediate hit. Now people had even more to do than swim and sun.
In the 1920’s, upwards of 20,000 people a week visited the dance floor paying ten cents a dance. It is estimated that as many as 50,000 people met their spouses as a result of their visit to the Casino.
Today visitors to the Beach are still drawn to many of the same activities and though there are many reasons to visit- the most enduring and meaningful remain the beach and ocean.
“Today, Hampton Beach is even more exciting!”
The cry each year is, “Don’t eat before you come!” to the Annual 3 Day Seafood Festival where 50 restaurants join together to provide an amazing selection of seafood delights. The boulevard becomes a lengthy pedestrian’s way. In addition there are spectacular fireworks displays as well as continuous entertainment on three stages, a beer tent and lots of fun for children, all right at the Beach! Beginning Memorial Weekend fireworks displays light up the skies on every Wednesday and during holidays.
Amazing sculptures are created before your eyes at the annual Master Sand Sculpting Contest. It’s as much fun to watch the creation process as to view the final results, and the winner receives $10,000 in prize money!
Discover history, extraordinary restaurants, great shopping, seaside golf courses, museums of all types, fishing and boating and finally, complete relaxation at the shore.
Excerpt from Whittier’s “Hampton Beach”
