Misplaced Pages

#171828

73-695: The route of the fabled Blueberry Express was first suggested in January 1849, when a charter was granted by the state of New Hampshire to John Berry to build a railroad from east of Concord into the Suncook Valley to Pittsfield . A second charter was granted in July of that same year for a second investment group to extend the rails from Pittsfield to connect with the Dover and Winnipesogee Railroad (modern spelling Winnipesaukee ) at an undetermined point near

146-542: A 1949 embargo crisis, the shortline would purchase outright the Suncook Loop all the way to the Merrimack River crossing at Bow Jct. In 1951, the line would complete a tie replacement program resulting in one out of eight ties being replaced. Near the end of 1952, shortline operator Samuel Pinsly approached the railroad's officers with an offer to purchase the line. Perennially strapped for cash, but offered

219-402: A day between Boston and Concord. Since then, there has not been any passenger rail service to Concord. In 2021, Amtrak announced their plan to implement new service between Boston and Concord by 2035. Local bus service is provided by Concord Area Transit (CAT), with three routes through the city. Regional bus service provided by Concord Coach Lines and Greyhound Lines is available from

292-635: A hub for the railroad industry, with Penacook a textile manufacturing center using water power from the Contoocook River . The city also around this time started to become a center for the emerging healthcare industry, with New Hampshire State Hospital opening in 1842 as one of the first psychiatric hospitals in the United States. The State Hospital continued to expand throughout the following decades, and in 1891 Concord Hospital opened its doors as Margaret Pillsbury General Hospital,

365-529: A locomotive and passenger cars from the B&;M. However, on March 21 1927, the Baldwin Locomotive Works shipped the railroad a brand new Model 8-30-D, light 2-6-0 steam locomotive . Numbered #1, it would serve the railroad continuously until April 1949. On April 22 of that year, SV #2, an ex-Army General Electric 43-ton diesel switcher built in 1940, arrived on the property. This replacement

438-554: A promise to continue operations, the local stock holders accepted, and Pinsly took control in October. One of the first actions by the new management was to file a petition for abandonment. The railroad hauled mail via the Pittsfield & Concord RPO until the last day, despite concerns of a pending loss of the mail contract which had gone on for several years. The last inbound train moved up to Pittsfield on December 15, 1952, and on

511-553: Is Manchester–Boston Regional Airport , 23 miles (37 km) to the south. Concord's downtown underwent a significant renovation between 2015 and 2016, during the city's "Complete Streets Improvement Project". At a proposed cost of $ 12 million, the project promised to deliver on categories of maintenance to aging infrastructure , improved accessibility , increased sustainability , a safer experience for walkers, bikers and motorists alike, and to stimulate economic growth in an increasingly idle downtown. The main infrastructural change

584-778: Is 38 miles (61 km) north of the Massachusetts border, 40 miles (64 km) west of the Maine border, 54 miles (87 km) east of the Vermont border, and 170 miles (270 km) south of the Canadian border at Pittsburg . According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 67.2 square miles (174.0 km ). 64.0 square miles (165.7 km ) of it are land and 3.2 square miles (8.4 km ) of it are water, comprising 4.81% of

657-544: Is an average of 12 days of 90 °F (32 °C)+ highs annually. The window for freezing temperatures on average begins on September 27 and expires on May 14. The monthly daily average temperature range from 20.6 °F (−6.3 °C) in January to 70.0 °F (21.1 °C) in July. Temperature extremes have ranged from −37 °F (−38 °C) in February 1943 to 102 °F (39 °C) in July 1966. See or edit raw graph data . U.S. Decennial Census As of

730-531: Is formed by the Soucook River , which separates Concord from the town of Pembroke . The Turkey River passes through the southwestern quarter of the city. The city consists of its downtown , including the North End and South End neighborhoods, along with the four villages of Penacook , Concord Heights, East Concord, and West Concord. Penacook sits along the Contoocook River , just before it flows into

803-489: Is made up of its downtown, including its North End and South End neighborhoods, plus the four distinct villages of Penacook , Concord Heights, East Concord, and West Concord. Concord, as with much of New England, is within the humid continental climate zone ( Köppen Dfb ), with long, cold, snowy winters, warm (and at times humid) summers, and relatively brief autumns and springs. In winter, successive storms deliver moderate to at times heavy snowfall amounts, contributing to

SECTION 10

#1732780817172

876-502: Is the final resting place of Franklin Pierce , 14th President of the United States . Interstate 89 and Interstate 93 are the two main interstate highways serving the city, and general aviation access is via Concord Municipal Airport . The nearest airport with commercial air service is Manchester–Boston Regional Airport , 23 miles (37 km) to the south. There has been no passenger rail service to Concord since 1981. Historically,

949-657: Is the oldest state house in which the legislature meets in its original chambers. The building was remodeled in 1866, and the third story and west wing were added in 1910. Across from the State House is the Eagle Hotel on Main Street, which has been a downtown landmark since its opening in 1827. U.S. Presidents Ulysses S. Grant , Rutherford Hayes , and Benjamin Harrison all dined there, and Franklin Pierce spent

1022-614: The Boston and Maine Railroad served the city. The area that would become Concord was originally settled thousands of years ago by Abenaki Native Americans called the Pennacook . The tribe fished for migrating salmon , sturgeon , and alewives with nets strung across the rapids of the Merrimack River . The stream was also the transportation route for their birch bark canoes, which could travel from Lake Winnipesaukee to

1095-546: The Boston and Maine Railroad . The former Concord Station was located at what is now a Burlington department store on Storrs Street. The station itself was built in 1860, but the fourth and most famous iteration of the station was built in 1885, which had a brick head house designed by Bradford L. Gilbert . The head house was demolished in 1959 and replaced by a smaller "McGinnis Era" station. By 1967, all passenger rail services to Concord had been discontinued. For 13 months in 1980 and 1981, MBTA Commuter Rail ran two round trips

1168-835: The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center , a science museum named after Christa McAuliffe , the Concord teacher who died during the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986, and Alan Shepard , the Derry -born astronaut who was the second person and first American in space as well as the fifth and oldest person to walk on the Moon. Pinsly Railroad Company (1938%E2%80%932023) Pinsly Railroad Company , based in Westfield, Massachusetts ,

1241-560: The Middlesex Canal . In 1808, Concord was named the official seat of state government, and in 1816 architect Stuart Park was commissioned to design a new capitol building for the state legislature on land sold to the state by local Quakers . Construction on the State House was completed in 1819, and it remains the oldest capitol in the nation in which the state's legislative branches meet in their original chambers. Concord

1314-803: The New Hampshire Executive Council , Concord is in the 2nd District, represented by Cinde Warmington, the sole Democrat on the council. In the United States House of Representatives , Concord is in New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district , represented by Democrat Ann McLane Kuster . New Hampshire Department of Corrections operates the New Hampshire State Prison for Men and New Hampshire State Prison for Women in Concord. Concord leans strongly Democratic in presidential elections;

1387-549: The census of 2020, there were 43,976 people residing in the city. The population density was 687.7 people per square mile (265.5 people/km ). At the 2010 Census there were 42,695 residents and 10,052 families in the city, as well as 18,852 housing units at an average density of 293.2 per square mile (113.2/km ). The racial makeup of the city in 2020 was 84.5% White , 4.9% Black or African American , 1.0% Native American , 4.9% Asian , 0.1% Pacific Islander , 0.4% from some other race , and 1.8% from two or more races. 4.9% of

1460-547: The 18th century, and some of the earliest houses from this period survive at the northern end of Main Street . In the years following the Revolution , Concord's central geographical location made it a logical choice for the state capital, particularly after Samuel Blodget in 1807 opened a canal and lock system to allow vessels passage around the Amoskeag Falls downriver, connecting Concord with Boston by way of

1533-436: The 20th, one last trip to Concord was made. Pinsly would recoup his purchase price in the value of the railroad's nearly new locomotive and the scrap value in the rails and steel bridges. By the spring of 1953, the iron had been pulled. During the 1930's, the Suncook Valley hosted a series of railfan excursions, bringing in an unusual influx of rented equipment for the day, in addition to some much needed extra revenue. The first

SECTION 20

#1732780817172

1606-631: The Atlantic Ocean. The broad sweep of the Merrimack River valley floodplain provided good soil for farming beans , gourds , pumpkins , melons and maize . The area was first settled by Europeans in 1659 as Penacook, after the Abenaki word "pannukog" meaning "bend in the river," referencing the steep bends of the Merrimack River through the area. On January 17, 1725, the Province of Massachusetts Bay , which then claimed territories west of

1679-490: The Concord city charter , the mayor chairs the council, however has very few formal powers over the day-to-day management of the city. The actual operations of the city are overseen by the city manager , currently Thomas J. Aspell Jr. The current police chief is Bradley S. Osgood. In the New Hampshire Senate , Concord is in the 15th District, represented by Democrat Becky Whitley since December 2020. On

1752-493: The Concord Transportation Center at 30 Stickney Avenue next to Exit 14 on Interstate 93, with service south to Boston and points in between, as well as north to Littleton and northeast to Berlin . General aviation services are available through Concord Municipal Airport , located 2 miles (3 km) east of downtown. There is no commercial air service within the city limits; the nearest such airport

1825-515: The Loop, Suncook Valley trains began operation into Concord, NH, on June 8, 1936. Conductor Edmund J. Stapleton became General Manager in 1943. During World War II , the SV abandoned service on the remaining stub from Suncook to Hooksett, when the last remaining customer on that track relocated to Suncook Village. In March 1947, the railroad abandoned the extension trackage north of Pittsfield. In 1950, after

1898-678: The Merrimack, granted the Concord area as the Plantation of Penacook. It was settled between 1725 and 1727 by Captain Ebenezer Eastman and others from Haverhill, Massachusetts . On February 9, 1734, the town was incorporated as "Rumford", from which Sir Benjamin Thompson, Count Rumford , would take his title. It was renamed "Concord" in 1765 by Governor Benning Wentworth following a bitter boundary dispute between Rumford and

1971-716: The Merrimack. As of 2020, the top employer in the city was the State of New Hampshire, and the largest private employer was Concord Hospital . Concord is home to the University of New Hampshire School of Law , New Hampshire's only law school ; St. Paul's School , a private preparatory school ; NHTI , a two-year community college ; the New Hampshire Police Academy; and the New Hampshire Fire Academy. Concord's Old North Cemetery

2044-471: The SV, whilst retaining his capacity with the B&M. Arrangements were made with the B&M to lease a locomotive and passenger equipment, and New Hampshire's first independent shortline began operating at noon on September 28, 1924. Frank P. Fosgate would replace Mr. McDonough as General Manager effective January 27, 1925. With an after-the-fact approval, the ICC would also grant permission for SV operation of

2117-554: The Southeast until his death in 1977. He was succeeded by Marjorie "Maggie" Silver, one of the first women to own a railroad company in the United States. Pinsly sold their 3 Florida shortlines ( Florida Central Railroad , Florida Midland Railroad and Florida Northern Railroad ) to 3i RR Holdings GP, LLC and subsidiaries (d.b.a. " Regional Rail, LLC ") in November 2019. Pinsly's business development manager stated in 2022 that

2190-650: The Suncook Valley Extension RR in March 1925, with the B&M willfully surrendering its ownership of the extension to the SV. From 1924 until June 6, 1936, the Suncook Valley would run two round trips from its terminus at Center Barnstead to Suncook and return. The first and last run of each day were operated as passenger trains; the two midday trips were operated as mixed train service- passenger and freight. Mr. Fosgate passed away in November 1932, and would be succeeded by George S. Fowler. Throughout

2263-491: The U.S. Army during World War I. Pinsly founded his shortline operating company in 1938 with the purchase of the Hoosac Tunnel and Wilmington Railroad from his father-in-law, fellow shortline operator H.E. Salzberg . While the line was rebuilt and turned a profit, extensive line relocations due to a new dam forced the railroad to be abandoned in 1971. Pinsly went on to acquire a number of lines throughout New England and

Suncook Valley Railroad - Misplaced Pages Continue

2336-523: The city from east to west. State routes 13 and 132 also serve the city: Route 13 leads southwest out of Concord towards Goffstown and Milford , while Route 132 travels north parallel to Interstate 93. New Hampshire Route 106 passes through the easternmost part of Concord, crossing I-393 and NH 9 before crossing the Soucook River south into the town of Pembroke . To the north, NH 106 leads to Loudon , Belmont and Laconia . Historically, Concord served as an important railroad terminal and station for

2409-583: The city limits. Interstate 89 links Concord with Lebanon and the state of Vermont to the northwest, while Interstate 93 connects the city to Plymouth , Littleton , and the White Mountains to the north and Manchester and Boston to the south. Interstate 393 is a spur highway leading east from Concord and merging with U.S. Route 4 as a direct route to New Hampshire's Seacoast region . North-south U.S. Route 3 serves as Concord's Main Street, while U.S. Route 202 and New Hampshire Route 9 cross

2482-446: The city. Concord is drained by the Merrimack River . Penacook Lake , the largest lake in the city and its main source of water, is in the west. The highest point in Concord is 860 feet (260 m) above sea level on Oak Hill, just west of the hill's 970-foot (300 m) summit in neighboring Loudon . Concord lies fully within the Merrimack River watershed and is centered on the river, which runs from northwest to southeast through

2555-401: The city. Downtown is located on a low terrace to the west of the river, with residential neighborhoods climbing hills to the west and extending southwards towards the town of Bow. To the east of the Merrimack, atop a 100-foot (30 m) bluff, is a flat, sandy plain known as Concord Heights, which has seen most of the city's commercial development since 1960. The eastern boundary of Concord (with

2628-405: The council-manager system. The city council consists of a mayor and 14 councilors, ten of which are elected to two-year terms representing each of the city wards, while the other four are elected at-large to four-year terms. The mayor is elected directly every two years. The current mayor as of 2024 is Byron Champlin, who was elected on November 7, 2023, with more than 75% of the vote. According to

2701-432: The downtown. Many power lines were buried, and street trees , colorful benches, art installations, and other green spaces were added, all allowing people to reclaim a space long dominated by cars. Main Street underwent serious traffic calming , including a road diet , increased diagonal parking, widening sidewalks, adding shared lane markings, adding trees, texturing medians and coloring crosswalks red. Another aspect of

2774-414: The early 1930's, the B&M considered how best to further reduce unprofitable branch lines. Based on a stated claim regarding the poor condition of some wooden bridges at the south end of the Suncook Loop at Hooksett, rail passenger service was discontinued on the Loop in January, 1935, and freight service was pared back further. Consequently, after SV management successfully completed negotiations to lease

2847-576: The emerging space industry , with the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center opening in 1990 to commemorate Alan Shepard , the first American in space from nearby Derry , and Christa McAuliffe , a teacher at Concord High School who died in the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger disaster . Today, Concord remains a center for politics, law, healthcare, and insurance companies . Concord is located in south-central New Hampshire at 43°12′24″N 71°32′17″W  /  43.20667°N 71.53806°W  / 43.20667; -71.53806 (43.2070, −71.5371). It

2920-420: The estimated median annual income for a household in the city was $ 52,695, and the median income for a family was $ 73,457. Male full-time workers had a median income of $ 49,228 versus $ 38,782 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 29,296. About 5.5% of families and 10.1% of the population were below the poverty line , including 8.4% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over. In 2020,

2993-508: The expense of an extensive freight car fleet with an ample supply of equipment available from the B&M yard at Concord. However, they would acquire two 36' truss-rod underframe box cars from the B&M shortly after 1924 for use in local, LCL, and eventually in 1930, milk service online. The line would own three former B&M snow plows over the years, with #500 and #501 arriving early during independent operations, and unnumbered "502" coming along in 1946. After some years of disuse, much of

Suncook Valley Railroad - Misplaced Pages Continue

3066-671: The fall of 2002, brings independent films and filmmakers to Concord and has provided an outlet for local filmmakers to display their films. SNOB Film Festival was a catalyst for the building in 2007 of Red River Theatres, a locally owned, nonprofit, independent cinema named after the 1948 film featuring John Wayne. Other sites of interest include the Capitol Center for the Arts , the New Hampshire Historical Society , which has two facilities in Concord, and

3139-404: The first general hospital in the state of New Hampshire. Concord's economy changed once again in the 20th century with the declining railroad and textile industry. The city developed into a center for national politics due to New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary, and many presidential candidates still visit the Concord area during campaign season. The city also developed an identity within

3212-479: The impetus for the line's creation in 1869. Inbound fuel products, lumber, feed, and general freight, and outbound products including stone and aggregate, and manufactured wood products, including box shooks and furniture, would supplant those industries. However, with the textile industry declining during the Depression, and the short distance to the far larger commercial centers of Concord and Manchester, by WWII,

3285-513: The last Republican nominee to carry the city was then Vice President George H. W. Bush in 1988. Voter turnout was 72.7% in the 2020 general election, down from 76.2% in 2016, but still above the 2020 national turnout of 66.7%. Newspapers and journals Radio The city is otherwise served by Manchester area stations . New Hampshire Public Radio is headquartered in Concord. Television The New Hampshire State House , designed by architect Stuart Park and constructed between 1815 and 1818,

3358-476: The line began to run their newly acquired combine #3 after it had been rebuilt with passenger seating added to their specifications by the B&M Concord Shops from their #2393, a former RPO/baggage combine. During the last year of operations, the B&M would lease to the SV RPO/baggage combine #2373 due to #3 being removed from service due to a broken truck frame. The Suncook Valley had little need for

3431-414: The line on July 26, 1924. Notice of termination of the lease was given to Suncook Valley officers, and the last B&M train would leave Center Barnstead for Suncook on morning of September 28, 1924. As the end of B&M operation loomed, preparations were made to begin operating the line in order to continue service. The Suncook agent, B&M employee C.J. McDonough was hired on as the general manager of

3504-409: The most expensive offenders, the budget ended up at $ 14.2 million, with the project actually coming in $ 1.1 million below that. Although adding final aesthetic touches with the extra money were debated, the city council ended up deciding to save for financially straining years ahead. The design was carried out by McFarland Johnson, IBI Group, and City of Concord Engineering. Concord is governed via

3577-509: The new construction was adding heated sidewalk capabilities, utilizing excess steam from the local Concord Steam plant, and minimizing sand and snow blowing needed during the winter months. Funding for Complete Streets came from a combination of $ 4,710,000 from a USDOT TIGER grant and the rest from the City of Concord. The project was initially proposed as costing $ 7,850,000, but ran over budget due to overambitious ideas. After scrapping some of

3650-459: The night before departing for his inauguration. Other well-known guests included Jefferson Davis , Charles Lindbergh , Eleanor Roosevelt , Richard M. Nixon (who carried New Hampshire in all three of his presidential bids), and Thomas E. Dewey . The hotel closed in 1961. South from the Eagle Hotel on Main Street is Phenix Hall, which replaced "Old" Phenix Hall, which burned in 1893. Both

3723-686: The north end of Main Street is the Pierce Manse , in which President Franklin Pierce lived in Concord before and following his presidency. The mid-1830s Greek Revival house was moved from Montgomery Street to North Main Street in 1971 to prevent its demolition. Beaver Meadow Golf Course, located in the northern part of Concord, is one of the oldest golf courses in New England. Besides this golf course, other important sporting venues in Concord include Everett Arena and Memorial Field. The SNOB (Somewhat North Of Boston) Film Festival, started in

SECTION 50

#1732780817172

3796-673: The old and new buildings featured multi-purpose auditoriums used for political speeches, theater productions, and fairs. Abraham Lincoln spoke at the old hall in 1860; Theodore Roosevelt , at the new hall in 1912. North on Main Street is the Walker-Woodman House, also known as the Reverend Timothy Walker House, the oldest standing two-story house in Concord. It was built for the Reverend Timothy Walker between 1733 and 1735. On

3869-460: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. In 2010 there were 17,592 households, out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.3% were headed by married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.9% were non-families. 33.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.0% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size

3942-508: The railroad's traffic became largely constrained to inbound carload freight: coal, lumber, and feed for the Valley's extensive poultry industry. Passenger and milk traffic declined early, a result of the shorter distances and quicker transit times offered by motor vehicles and improved roads. The SV was charming and notable for such reasons as the use of steam power well after World War II (until 1949), its daunting switchback gaining access to

4015-407: The relatively reliable snow cover. In addition, lows reach below 0 °F (−18 °C) on an average 15 nights per year, and the city straddles the border between USDA Hardiness Zone 5b and 6a. However, thaws are frequent, with one to three days per month with 50 °F (10 °C)+ highs from December to February. Summer can bring stretches of humid conditions as well as thunderstorms, and there

4088-511: The rolling stock would be damaged in a June 24, 1937 engine house fire. The two remaining pieces, Combine #3 and Plow "502" would be burned several years after abandonment. Engine #1 had been scrapped in 1950, #2 went on to be used by a construction aggregate firm, and after extensive service on a series of Pinsly shortlines, #3 would wind up in Canada where it was scrapped around 1995. The textile and shoe industry at Pittsfield would provide much of

4161-594: The route in Suncook village, its first-of-a-kind independent status, and the never-say-die frugality that defined life in rural New Hampshire. Concord, New Hampshire Concord ( / ˈ k ɒ ŋ k ər d / ) is the capital city of the U.S. state of New Hampshire and the seat of Merrimack County . As of the 2020 census the population was 43,976, making it the 3rd most populous city in New Hampshire after Manchester and Nashua . The area

4234-504: The top employer in the city remained the State of New Hampshire, with over 6,000 employed workers, while the largest private employer was Concord Hospital, with just under 3,000 employees. According to the City of Concord's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top 10 employers in the city for the Fiscal Year 2020 were: Interstate 89 and Interstate 93 are the two main interstate highways serving Concord, and join just south of

4307-424: The town of Bow ; the city name was meant to reflect the new concord, or harmony, between the disputant towns. Citizens displaced by the resulting border adjustment were given land elsewhere as compensation. In 1779, New Pennacook Plantation was granted to Timothy Walker Jr. and his associates at what would be incorporated in 1800 as Rumford, Maine , the site of Pennacook Falls. Concord grew in prominence throughout

4380-561: The town of Pembroke ) is formed by the Soucook River , a tributary of the Merrimack. The Turkey River winds through the southwestern quarter of the city, passing through the campus of St. Paul's School before entering the Merrimack River in Bow. In the northern part of the city, the Contoocook River enters the Merrimack at the village of Penacook. Concord is 16 miles (26 km) north of Manchester , New Hampshire's largest city, and 66 miles (106 km) north of Boston . The city of Concord

4453-421: The two towns. In 1808, Concord was named the official seat of state government, and the State House was completed in 1819; it remains the oldest U.S. state capitol wherein the legislature meets in its original chambers. Concord is entirely within the Merrimack River watershed and the city is centered on the river. The Merrimack runs from northwest to southeast through the city. The city's eastern boundary

SECTION 60

#1732780817172

4526-536: The village of Alton Bay . The charters lapsed into expiration due to disputes over an easement and a lack of financial backing. The looming Civil War also halted plans for the railroad. In 1863, a second pair of charters were granted by the New Hampshire courts for the construction of the Suncook Valley road, and what became known as the Suncook Valley Extension Railroad-the line to be constructed from Pittsfield to Alton . Ground

4599-411: Was 2.26, and the average family size was 2.90. In the city, the population was spread out, with 20.7% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 28.2% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.9 males. For the period 2009–2011,

4672-729: Was a short line railroad holding company . It was one of the oldest such companies in the United States, and has owned railroads continuously since its founding in 1938. As of 2022 Pinsly's sole railroad subsidiary is the Pioneer Valley Railroad in Massachusetts . In August 2023, Macquarie Infrastructure Partners reached an agreement with Pinsly to acquire the railroad through its subsidiary Gulf & Atlantic Railways . Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1899, Samuel M. Pinsly received degrees in engineering and law from Northwestern University before briefly serving in

4745-564: Was also named the seat of Merrimack County in 1823, and the Merrimack County Courthouse was constructed in 1857 in the North End at the site of the Old Town House. In the early 19th century, much of the city's economy was dominated by furniture -making, printing, and granite quarrying ; granite had become a popular building material for many monumental halls in the early United States, and Concord granite

4818-556: Was broken April 26, 1869, the company was leased to the Concord Railroad November 11, 1869, and the first Suncook-Pittsfield round trip took place on December 6 of that year. The Suncook Valley Extension Railroad was subsequently constructed by the Concord RR in 1889, and was wholly owned by that line. It was completed only as far as Center Barnstead; the connection to Alton never materialized. The Concord RR

4891-414: Was extended until January 1, 1914, and again until January 1, 1916. When renewed upon the last contract's termination, the B&M would include terms providing for a shrewd, 60-day notice exit clause, which would be further reduced to 30 days in 1921. As the new decade proceeded, the B&M sought to shed the expense of running into the Suncook Valley region and petitioned for abandonment of its operation of

4964-463: Was first settled by Europeans in 1659. On January 17, 1725, the Province of Massachusetts Bay granted the Concord area as the Plantation of Penacook, and it was incorporated on February 9, 1734, as the Town of Rumford. Governor Benning Wentworth gave the city its current name in 1765 following a boundary dispute with the neighboring town of Bow ; the name was meant to signify the new harmony between

5037-427: Was found to be rather inadequate for the railroad's needs, and they went direct to GE for a new locomotive, a 44-tonner , in July 1951. #3 would serve until the last day of operation, going on to work successive jobs on other Pinsly shortlines. The Suncook Valley acquired RPO/baggage/passenger combination car #1 and coach #2, both second hand equipment from the B&M, shortly after independent operations. In Aug 1930,

5110-486: Was hosted on November 4, 1934, by the National Association of Railway Enthusiasts, it being only their second excursion after a trip on the Hoosac Tunnel and Wilmington Railroad just earlier that year. B&M Hike-and-Bike excursions were held on October 20, 1935 and Nov 11, 1936. The NARE would return for another trip on October 10, 1937. From the beginning of independent operation, the shortline leased

5183-559: Was merged with the Boston, Concord, & Montreal effective January 1, 1890, to form the Concord and Montreal Railroad . The Suncook Valley lease was thus transferred to the new operation. Similarly, the C&;M was leased by the Boston and Maine Railroad effective June 29, 1895, with the Suncook Valley control changing in the same manner. On January 1, 1912, the original lease expired, but

5256-469: Was reducing the four-lane street (two in each direction) to two lanes plus a turning lane in the center. The freed-up space would contribute to extra width for bikes to ride in either direction, increased curb size and an added median where there is no need for a turning lane. Concord opted to add shared lane markings for bikes, rather than a dedicated protected bike lane . By adding curb space, this project created new opportunities for pedestrians to enjoy

5329-697: Was used in the construction of both the New Hampshire State House and the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. In 1828, Lewis Downing joined J. Stephens Abbot to form Abbot and Downing . Their most famous product was their Concord coach , widely used in the development of the American West , and their enterprise largely boosted and changed the city economy in the mid-19th century. In subsequent years, Concord would also become

#171828